Grab some popcorn: Netflix is live in the UK and Ireland. You can now stream on-demand films and TV programmes to your computer, phone or tablet -- even over 3G -- with a month's free trial available now.
Netflix is massive in the US, and its launch in Blighty will be a huge boost for online streaming of movies and TV. After the one-month free trial, it costs £6 in the UK and €7 in Ireland.
Netflix has deals with ITV, Channel 4 and CNET owner CBS for TV as well as classics from the BBC. Movies produced by Disney, Lionsgate, MGM, Miramax, Momentum, Paramount, Sony, 20th Century Fox are available. No Warner Brothers yet, so no Harry Potter or Batman, but it's early days.
Never mind that, you can watch The Expendables and Paul Blart: Mall Cop! American TV shows include 24, Prison Break and the peerless Breaking Bad. UK shows include The Only Way is Essex, The Inbetweeners and Top Gear.
So far you can watch on your computer or on your PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 or Nintendo Wii games console, and your iPhone or Android smart phone or tablet -- even when you're out and about, via the miracle of 3G.
As is de rigeur these days, Netflix plugs into Facebook so you can tell the world what you're watching, should anyone care. More usefully, it'll recommend stuff for you to watch based on Facebook feedback from your friends.
We're looking forward to seeing what happens in the world of online streaming now Netflix has landed on these shores: rival service LoveFilm has already come out fighting with a streaming-only deal costing just £5, saving you a quid over Netflix. If the added competition improves the video quality and selection of streaming movies in the UK, we'll be happy as Larry.
Are you going to net yourself some flicks from Netflix or are you sticking with LoveFilm, Sky, Virgin or the local video shop? Tell us how you watch movies and TV online in the comments, or on our Facebook page.
Android App 
RSS Feeds 
iPhone App 
Newsletters 
Comments 11
Add your comment
Mat Greenfield 9 January, 2012 12:18
Assuming Netflix gets Warner Bros, I'm otherwise not bothered about who has more titles; it's not how much they have but WHAT they have that matters to me.
That being the case, the only thing that will influence me one way or another is price. All else being equal, the cheapest one. That being said, whilst I feel no loyalty to LoveFilm, I have built up a pretty sizable rental list that I sorely don't want to rebuild. If Netflix can undercut the Brits on price and can find some black magic to import your rental list, then I'll switch in a heartbeat.
Mat Greenfield 9 January, 2012 12:46
Ah, I didn't realise that Netflix was streaming-only, disregard my above comment.
In which case, for those like me with an internet connection less than brilliant I can't see myself switching if I'm reliant on an internet connection to watch anything. At least with LoveFilm I can get discs through.
anonymous 9 January, 2012 13:44
I've got Virgin XL tv package, I don't think this would add a lot to it really.
hibby182 9 January, 2012 14:13
The question is, which one is better and should I ditch Sky movies?
olajuwon4telecom 9 January, 2012 15:16
Nice good guys great keep d good work
anonymous 9 January, 2012 16:06
Had a quick look at the content available and it appears to be very poor.
anonymous 9 January, 2012 16:51
Is it HD? It should be in this day and age.
James Hogg 9 January, 2012 20:22
So far I'm really impressed considering it's day one. The content is really good, maybe not the latest in a lot of programmes, and films. I've been streaming it via my Apple TV (There isn't an update to download I rebooted the Apple TV for another reason and saw Netflix). The quality is good also. Not had a look via the website yet, but for those who are worried about caps on Broandband or you have a bad connection you can adjust your settings from 0.3GB an hour to 1.0GB an hour for HD TV shows and films.
It is only streaming from what I've seen, but considering a lot of people have games consoles these days, I'm sure support will be readily available. I've not seen it on my PS3 nor is there an update yet. Not sure on the Wii or Xbox 360.
James Hogg 9 January, 2012 20:45
I'll just add... With the support for iPhone and iPad... If you've been watching it on your iPhone and then view it on the Apple TV it resumes what you've been watching... This is just my findings!
anonymous 9 January, 2012 22:08
free content seems to be restricted search is poor streams well ,wont go to full screen but ok so far £5.99 cant go wrong really ,the price is good ,free for a month but should not have restricted content !
Jamie Ingram 11 January, 2012 21:49
No sign of it on the ps3 yet but it's running fine on the wii and iPad. Great range of film and tv.