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There are going to be people that blame Netflix for this, but it's really not their fault. They didn't even care if people used VPN's to access their service. P

There are going to be people that blame Netflix for this, but it's really not their fault. They didn't even care if people used VPN's to access their service. Pressure from the content providers forced them to do this.

jasonkostempski 9y ago
I'm sure they're under equal pressure to not say as such. It would be nice if they could just flat out state "as part of our contract with X, we must <enter exact clause here>". Edit: I just realized that cable companies sometimes have hostile notices about their dealings with certain stations. I'm guessing Netflix isn't quite in the same position of power though.
geofft 9y ago
I used to agree with this, and the same argument about DRM in general, but Netflix now has a significant body of original content, so I'm less sure about it. In particular, they appear to be blocking the entire app from even downloading (not even running!) on affected devices. Do their contracts with the content providers say "All your content, even content that doesn't come from us, must be provided with this much DRM"?
- xienze 9y ago
  It's probably a lot easier to have a blanket ban on VPNs and rooted devices than to allow them when you watch X versus when you watch Y.
  - jasonkostempski 9y ago
    Maybe one day they'll have a separate price plan and app just for Netflix Original content. I'd switch to that right now if they offered it. Then we'd see which side of the fence they're on.
  - syshum 9y ago
    I am sure it is, I am also sure if netflix has a ethical problem with DRM, and is actually in active opposition to DRM they would put forth the effort to allow their content DRM free, eliminate geo-fences, and allow the app on Rooted devices limited to only Netflix owned content They however are not opposed to DRM like many people believe, they are Huge supporters and developers of DRM technology. If you oppose DRM, Netflix is just as much an enemy as the MPAA is
    - jasonkostempski 9y ago
      I'm guessing they're on the same boat as Tim Berners-Lee, thinking it a necessary evil if the world wants big budget films delivered through their browser. Personally, I'd only get on that boat if my life depended on it, which I think is the case for Netflix (I'm still not sure why TBL is on it). I think Netflix is at least fighting for DRM that isn't based on rootkits, something of a win for the general population.
      - zAy0LfpBZLC8mAC 9y ago
        > I think Netflix is at least fighting for DRM that isn't based on rootkits But you have read the headline, haven't you? They only work with a google rootkit installed, now.
        geofft 9y ago
        I think that describing Google Play Services (or Android? or I'm-not-sure-what) as "a google rootkit" isn't super conducive to a meaningful discussion, even if there's a technical interpretation under which it's true. In particular, most users of Netflix on Android have a threat model that involves Google legitimately having the ability to push software updates to the phone that run as root. So "rootkit" is not a very useful term, any more than describing any Debian package maintainer script as a "random volunteer's rootkit" would be.
        zAy0LfpBZLC8mAC 9y ago
  - Jach 9y ago
    Doing the easy thing isn't (or didn't used to be) Netflix's style, one of the reasons HN has long loved its tech writeups. So the blanket ban is either a reversal of that culture or simply Netflix finding itself with aligned interests with other content producers and acting accordingly.
obtino 9y ago
> They didn't even care if people used VPN's to access their service. Netflix employees used to help out users in Australia with VPN issues back before Netflix launched over here. It's all different now.
- Kali909 9y ago
  And unless I see a different selection to everyone else in Australia, the offerings have rapidly gone downhill, C-grade/fire-sale content. Some gems from time to time, but 98% unwatchable rubbish. Edit: For the price I pay, I don't mind that too much though.
  - kbar13 9y ago
    netflix is now pumping out a lot more original content, and a good number of them are complete trash. they still have some of the best shows out there (house of cards, narcos, stranger things, etc), but it feels like they're more interested in quantity, not quality.
    - kevin_thibedeau 9y ago
      That's great unless you want to watch movies. Their DVD service gave access to a library of thousands of movies from blockbusters to obscure niche films. Their streaming service sucks in comparison.
      - mistersquid 9y ago
        > Their DVD service gave access to a library of thousands of movies from blockbusters to obscure niche films. You write this in the past tense, but the DVD service is alive and (mostly) well. ("Mostly" because they are not replacing rarer DVDs as they go missing from their inventory.) I presently subscribe to both services because I love older films.
      - wand3r 9y ago
        Their DVD service required a minimum of 48 hours forethought before viewing a video. Some people watch whole seasons of shows in that period. For most, a large enough selection instantly is much better than a full selection w/ a 3 day lead time
averell 9y ago
They certainly are going above and beyond. It's basically impossible to find a good VPN that works with Netflix, and they also block pretty much every IP range where you can get a VPS. They are just much more effective than any other geoblock I'm aware of. I think in this case they have worse odds though, Freedom or Lucky Patcher or some Xposed module will be up to the task if there is enough interest.
- ghughes 9y ago
  Above and beyond? This is a simple yet effective countermeasure that the content providers have likely insisted upon.
- Baeocystin 9y ago
  NordVPN works fine. FWIW.
syshum 9y ago
>There are going to be people that blame Netflix for this, but it's really not their fault. There are going to be people that continue to excuse netflix and believe it is all pressure from content providers. News Flash for people that believe that, Netflix is a content provider now. They fully support DRM for their content, they are not being "pressured" by content providers to do this. They support anti-consumer policies like DRM, and are just like the MPAA in this regards Stop allowing Netflix to hide behind their PR machine and blame 3rd parties for polices they fully support and endorse No I do not believe for 1 second Neflix is being pressured by anyone to enact these draconian drm polices nor where they forced to support EME in HTML5. Netflix is just another anti-consumer, anti-freedom corporation.
- bitmapbrother 9y ago
  Here's another news flash - Netflix without content ceases to become worth their subscription fee. What did you really expect Netflix to do? Ignore the demands of their content providers and then have the content taken away?
  - syshum 9y ago
    Keep defending netflix if you want, they are not innocent victims of content provider threats, they are content providers. MPAA did not come in strong arm Netflix, Netflix is a willing and eager participant in the development and spread of DRM
    - bitmapbrother 9y ago
      There's no need to defend Netflix as they're simply doing what they need to contractually do to stay in business. Did you really think Netflix was going to defy the demands of their content providers? Content is king and if Netflix didn't have it they wouldn't be worth subscribing to.
      - izacus 9y ago
        Again, Netflix is actively pushing DRM on content they themselves produce (no "content provider" pressure there).
the8472 9y ago
Just following orders.

jasonkostempski 9y ago

I'm sure they're under equal pressure to not say as such. It would be nice if they could just flat out state "as part of our contract with X, we must <enter exact clause here>". Edit: I just realized that cable companies sometimes have hostile notices about their dealings with certain stations. I'm guessing Netflix isn't quite in the same position of power though.

geofft 9y ago

I used to agree with this, and the same argument about DRM in general, but Netflix now has a significant body of original content, so I'm less sure about it. In particular, they appear to be blocking the entire app from even downloading (not even running!) on affected devices. Do their contracts with the content providers say "All your content, even content that doesn't come from us, must be provided with this much DRM"?

xienze 9y ago
It's probably a lot easier to have a blanket ban on VPNs and rooted devices than to allow them when you watch X versus when you watch Y.
- jasonkostempski 9y ago
  Maybe one day they'll have a separate price plan and app just for Netflix Original content. I'd switch to that right now if they offered it. Then we'd see which side of the fence they're on.
- syshum 9y ago
  I am sure it is, I am also sure if netflix has a ethical problem with DRM, and is actually in active opposition to DRM they would put forth the effort to allow their content DRM free, eliminate geo-fences, and allow the app on Rooted devices limited to only Netflix owned content They however are not opposed to DRM like many people believe, they are Huge supporters and developers of DRM technology. If you oppose DRM, Netflix is just as much an enemy as the MPAA is
  - jasonkostempski 9y ago
    I'm guessing they're on the same boat as Tim Berners-Lee, thinking it a necessary evil if the world wants big budget films delivered through their browser. Personally, I'd only get on that boat if my life depended on it, which I think is the case for Netflix (I'm still not sure why TBL is on it). I think Netflix is at least fighting for DRM that isn't based on rootkits, something of a win for the general population.
    - zAy0LfpBZLC8mAC 9y ago
      > I think Netflix is at least fighting for DRM that isn't based on rootkits But you have read the headline, haven't you? They only work with a google rootkit installed, now.
      - geofft 9y ago
        I think that describing Google Play Services (or Android? or I'm-not-sure-what) as "a google rootkit" isn't super conducive to a meaningful discussion, even if there's a technical interpretation under which it's true. In particular, most users of Netflix on Android have a threat model that involves Google legitimately having the ability to push software updates to the phone that run as root. So "rootkit" is not a very useful term, any more than describing any Debian package maintainer script as a "random volunteer's rootkit" would be.
        zAy0LfpBZLC8mAC 9y ago
- Jach 9y ago
  Doing the easy thing isn't (or didn't used to be) Netflix's style, one of the reasons HN has long loved its tech writeups. So the blanket ban is either a reversal of that culture or simply Netflix finding itself with aligned interests with other content producers and acting accordingly.

obtino 9y ago

> They didn't even care if people used VPN's to access their service. Netflix employees used to help out users in Australia with VPN issues back before Netflix launched over here. It's all different now.

Kali909 9y ago
And unless I see a different selection to everyone else in Australia, the offerings have rapidly gone downhill, C-grade/fire-sale content. Some gems from time to time, but 98% unwatchable rubbish. Edit: For the price I pay, I don't mind that too much though.
- kbar13 9y ago
  netflix is now pumping out a lot more original content, and a good number of them are complete trash. they still have some of the best shows out there (house of cards, narcos, stranger things, etc), but it feels like they're more interested in quantity, not quality.
  - kevin_thibedeau 9y ago
    That's great unless you want to watch movies. Their DVD service gave access to a library of thousands of movies from blockbusters to obscure niche films. Their streaming service sucks in comparison.
    - mistersquid 9y ago
      > Their DVD service gave access to a library of thousands of movies from blockbusters to obscure niche films. You write this in the past tense, but the DVD service is alive and (mostly) well. ("Mostly" because they are not replacing rarer DVDs as they go missing from their inventory.) I presently subscribe to both services because I love older films.
    - wand3r 9y ago
      Their DVD service required a minimum of 48 hours forethought before viewing a video. Some people watch whole seasons of shows in that period. For most, a large enough selection instantly is much better than a full selection w/ a 3 day lead time

averell 9y ago

They certainly are going above and beyond. It's basically impossible to find a good VPN that works with Netflix, and they also block pretty much every IP range where you can get a VPS. They are just much more effective than any other geoblock I'm aware of. I think in this case they have worse odds though, Freedom or Lucky Patcher or some Xposed module will be up to the task if there is enough interest.

ghughes 9y ago
Above and beyond? This is a simple yet effective countermeasure that the content providers have likely insisted upon.
Baeocystin 9y ago
NordVPN works fine. FWIW.

syshum 9y ago

>There are going to be people that blame Netflix for this, but it's really not their fault. There are going to be people that continue to excuse netflix and believe it is all pressure from content providers. News Flash for people that believe that, Netflix is a content provider now. They fully support DRM for their content, they are not being "pressured" by content providers to do this. They support anti-consumer policies like DRM, and are just like the MPAA in this regards Stop allowing Netflix to hide behind their PR machine and blame 3rd parties for polices they fully support and endorse No I do not believe for 1 second Neflix is being pressured by anyone to enact these draconian drm polices nor where they forced to support EME in HTML5. Netflix is just another anti-consumer, anti-freedom corporation.

bitmapbrother 9y ago
Here's another news flash - Netflix without content ceases to become worth their subscription fee. What did you really expect Netflix to do? Ignore the demands of their content providers and then have the content taken away?
- syshum 9y ago
  Keep defending netflix if you want, they are not innocent victims of content provider threats, they are content providers. MPAA did not come in strong arm Netflix, Netflix is a willing and eager participant in the development and spread of DRM
  - bitmapbrother 9y ago
    There's no need to defend Netflix as they're simply doing what they need to contractually do to stay in business. Did you really think Netflix was going to defy the demands of their content providers? Content is king and if Netflix didn't have it they wouldn't be worth subscribing to.
    - izacus 9y ago
      Again, Netflix is actively pushing DRM on content they themselves produce (no "content provider" pressure there).

the8472 9y ago

Just following orders.