Netflix Readies Canadian Launch

LOS GATOS: Netflix plans to launch its subscription streaming content service in Canada later this year, marking the company’s first expansion outside of the U.S. market.

Canadian subscribers will be able to access a variety of movies and TV episodes, streamed from the Netflix site to their TV sets via various consumer electronics devices, or directly to PCs and Macs. In the U.S., Netflix subscribers can access the streaming service via the Wii, PS3 and Xbox360 gaming consoles, as well as through a range of Internet-connected Blu-ray players and TV sets.

DVDs by mail, the bulk of Netflix’s U.S. business, will not be offered in Canada. At launch, the Canadian service will be in English, but French-language capabilities will eventually be added to the service. The Canadian rollout is slated for the fall. Monthly pricing of the service has not yet been announced.