No Netflix Ad Tier or Prime Video Britbox for NZ
November 4, 2022 
10 Comments
NZ is not one of the countries where Netflix is launching its advertising-backed subscription tier and Prime Video has confirmed its Britbox option is not being offered in this market — despite Australians having access to both services.
Netflix’s ad tier first went live in Canada and Mexico, and rolls out today in Australia, the US, UK, Japan, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy and South Korea, with Spain to follow on November 10.
“Pricing varies by region, but at $6.99 a month in the U.S. the plan is toward the low end of the streaming spectrum, a dollar cheaper than Disney’s forthcoming tier with ads and less than half of the most popular option, which costs $15.49,” Deadline reports.
The so-called “a pro-consumer model” will have up to 90% of the full Netflix slate, but not shows like House of Cards, Peaky Blinders, New Girl, The Last Kingdom, The Sinner, Good Girls and The Good Place.
Subscribers also will be limited to 720p resolution (the same as AMC+ in this market), versus 1080p and 4K for the premium models, and just one stream with no downloads.
Observes Deadline:
The addition of lower-cost ad tiers from Netflix and Disney, which join similar offerings from HBO Max, Peacock and Paramount+, signals the start of a new leg of the streaming race. Initially, advertising in the sector was reserved for free services like Pluto and Tubi, where advertising was their only source of revenue. Now, Apple TV+ remains the only major player without an ad-backed option for consumers, so a new balancing act for streaming players will begin.
There’s no word on when the new option will be available here – or Britbox’s availability through Prime Video.
The UK TV streaming showcase can now be accessed via Prime Video in Australia, following its launch as a stand-alone platform two years ago.
Presumably because of the size of this market and how many Britbox properties are spread across multiple linear and streaming platforms here, Prime Video NZ subscribers can’t access the service. At least not for now.
“It isn’t available in New Zealand currently,” a Prime Video spokesperson says.
Hopefully, there’s a cunning plan afoot to fix this.
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November 4, 2022 at 11:18 am
Thanks, Phil. Any chance you could ask Amazon if they have any plans to launch Amazon channels in NZ? There are services like AMC, Shutter and maybe MGM they could launch here? And one other one – I can never get an answer on: Apple TV app (on Apple TV) supports integration with Amazon Prime (this gives you “up next”, search functions), but it’s disabled in our region (it’s enabled for Disney+). Any chance you could ask them why this isn’t enabled?
Can certainly ask …
When Disney+ came to New Zealand they had everything organised, why can’t other streaming services do the same ?
Trevor – it’s because most services are often a (lesser) extension of what is available in AU … NZ is just another state, right? 🙂
You are probably right but still ? I notice on Newshub there is a new article about the new shows and mentions about the new streaming service which sounds like it’s definitely on the way. Exciting ???
Link please? I did [read] the article about WarnerDiscovery services – and they hinted at HBOmax/Discovery plus coming soon to NZ which is good. Assume this will happen end of 2023 (when HBO rights expire to Sky). Assume this will be the end of Neon then.
Have you heard what Glen Kyne said about the new streaming service Philip? It sounds like we won’t have to wait too long after the USA, he is very keen for New Zealand to get it sooner rather than later ?
If you’re referring to the Newshub site stories, yes, I did, Trevor. Unfortunately, WBD hasn’t been so forthcoming with me. Will post my thoughts in the next day or two.
Yes, that’s the one. It gives me hope for 2023, just hope he wasn’t quoted out of context ?
Come on Prime Video NZ — get that BritBox streaming here in NZ, one of the better streaming apps for sure!!