Netflix is planning to embark on a substantial European expansion later this year. According to WSJ, Netflix is currently trying to secure content rights in France and Germany, among other European countries.

Netflix to expand in Europe
Netflix entered Europe in early 2012 with UK and Ireland, and later in 2012 they entered the four Nordic countries. The only country that was added in 2013 was The Netherlands, but in 2014 Netflix is gearing up for a more significant expansion it seems.

- "We plan later this year to embark on a substantial European expansion." Netflix CEO Reed Hasting wrote in the earnings report last week.


WSJ writes that Netflix is hoping to secure content rights in France and Germany, two of most populous countries in Europe. The two countries also rank high in high broadband penetration and speed, which Netflix specifically attributed as a factor for its successful expansion into the Nordic and the Netherlands.

If Netflix can secure the content rights to expand to Germany and France they will have to compete with local streaming services that have seen some success in both regions. How Netflix would approach the markets is uncertain, but Germany has a strong tradition for synchronized movies and TV shows, and proper subtitles will be expected, too. France also expects TV services to help fund the national film production.

Belgium has also been mentioned as a potential target for Netflix in the past, but is not mentioned in WSJ’s report.

- Source: Wall Street Journal