California-based Netflix was founded in 1997 and began as a DVD subscription service. Since then it’s grown into a media streaming giant with streaming services offered globally. For a monthly fee, subscribers can watch an unlimited number of movies, TV shows or documentaries using an internet connection. Netflix is the largest internet streaming company, boasting more than 83 million members with access to more than 13,500 titles for US based members.
Subscribing to and Using Netflix
There are a few different monthly subscription plans available to Netflix users. All Netflix plans offer the same movie libraries within a specific region. The difference in the monthly subscription price is related to the number of users on one’ss plan. It costs less to have only one user versus a plan that allows four users. This matters because Netflix allows users to build what’s called a watch list. If someone is browsing the library and a movie looks interesting, that title can be saved onto a list for future viewing. Because the libraries can be so voluminous, saving titles to watch later is a convenient feature. Having more than one user on an account allows each user to save their own watch list. Additionally, Netflix saves your place if you pause watching a movie before it’s finished, sort of like a bookmark. On an account with more than one user, each user can watch the same movie without losing their paused place. In other words, each user gets their own bookmarks.
Netflix Membership Options
There are currently four membership subscription plans to choose from in the USA:
• Basic: One user, Standard Definition?
• Standard: Two users, High Definition?
• Premium Plan: Four users, High Definition and Ultra High Definition?
• DVD Plan: This is for US based customers only. DVDs can be ordered online. DVDs are mailed to customers through the US Postal Service and also returned by the customer through USPS.
The Netflix libraries vary regionally, limiting availability of movie titles depending on their geo-location. Netflix original productions are the only titles which are available to all users everywhere. Licensing rights of non-Netflix productions prevent Netflix from offering some titles in certain countries. A user in the US can only watch movies that Netflix has US licensing rights to. In the past, it’s been reported that Belgium, Brazil, the UK, Australia and New Zealand libraries held the highest volume of newly released films. It was further reported that Japan’s library was larger than the US library. The Japanese library, however, is reported to have many low-rated movie titles. It’s worth noting that Netflix is not available in some countries. China, North Korea, Crimea and Syria are countries in which Netflix is not available.
According to Netflix’s legal term and conditions, a subscriber can only access a library regionally based in the country that the subscriber is located. There are ways around this, though not ways that Netflix would like users to access.
Accessing Blocked Libraries and Use of VPN
It’s possible to circumvent the regional block placed on Netflix’s libraries using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN is a virtual tunnel that encrypts data transfer by hiding the user’s IP address. In regards to Netflix, using a VPN is a sort of back door into their foreign and inaccessible libraries of digital media content. Netflix’s legal terms and conditions prohibit the use of a VPN, though many VPN service providers market the unblocking Netflix’s reginally blocked libraries as a feature.
It’s a good idea for people to use a VPN while browsing on the internet for more than just for accessing Netflix’s regionally blocked libraries. Most people don’t realize how visible their online information is to those (hackers, NSA, spies, etc. ) who know how to and want to peer into someone’s personal and sensitive information. Here are some reasons to consider subscribing to VPN service:
• Secure internet browsing?
• Protect your banking information?
• Protect credit card account?
• Protect passwords?
• Keep your browsing history private, even on public WiFi and hotspots.?
• Watch adult content privately
• Access to music and movie streaming services that may be blocked regionally. Many of the providers of music and movie streaming are restricted in their offerings by licensing agreements. A VPN can typically give a user greater access and therefore more choices.?
• Photo privacy on social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram?
• Access to multiple servers in multiple countries?
• Multiple device connections?
• Increased bandwidth?
• Block advertisements
Using a VPN like Surfshark is generally a good idea, regardless of it’s ability to overstep Netflix’s geo-blocking capabilities.
Subscribing to a VPN
There are more than a handful of online Virtual Private Networks available for use by the general public. Top10.com offers a list of companies that provide the VPN services, features available by company, and ratings for specific VPN companies. VPN Mentor offers a similar list. To learn more about how a Virtual Private Network works and why you should subscribe, check out Surfshark’s website.
Subscription prices for most VPN services begin at as low as $1.99 per month and can be paid with the use of a credit card. Many service providers offer a money back guarantee within a specified period of time, usually thirty days.