Netflix To Be On Liberty Global Set-Top Boxes -- 2nd Update

By Austen Hufford 

Netflix Inc. agreed to make its streaming-video service available to Liberty Global PLC video subscribers in more than 30 countries, the two companies announced Wednesday.

The deal follows the launch of Netflix on Liberty Global's Virgin Media in the U.K., a deal reached before Liberty's takeover of Virgin.

Consumers who are already Netflix subscribers will be able to view Netflix's library of movies and television shows alongside traditional TV and other video-on-demand products currently accessible on the set-top boxes. They also will be able to sign up for the service on their TV.

"We are committed to bringing the best content to our customers, and are thrilled to expand our partnership with Netflix," Liberty Global Chief Executive Mike Fries said.

Netflix Chief Executive Reed Hastings said the move makes it easier for consumers to access Netflix content because they are able to use their same remote and same cable box to watch it. Under the deal, Netflix will maintain the billing relationship with its customers.

Unlike the sometimes prickly relationship that Netflix has had with big U.S.-based cable providers, Netflix has received a much warmer welcome from countries abroad. Many providers bundle their subscriptions together with Netflix and offer it as an app through their set-top boxes. Liberty Global, however, had long held out from striking such a deal.

Of late, Netflix also has reached set-top box deals with several American operators, including Comcast Corp.

That reception contrasts sharply with Netflix's experience at home, where broadband providers have sparred with it over new internet regulations and the network traffic arrangements that the video service says it needs to efficiently deliver its data to subscribers.

International TV and broadband company Liberty Global has 29 million customers across Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. The Netherlands will be the first to launch Netflix, and it will expand to other countries through 2017.

--Shalini Ramachandran contributed to this article.

Write to Austen Hufford at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 14, 2016 10:44 ET (14:44 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.