Netflix gained popularity in 2015 especially in terms of pop culture as the saying “Netflix and chill” was coined sometime last year. Though the connotation is not exactly PG-friendly, the fact that it popularised the on-demand Internet streaming media even more, was good.
Mention the word, “Netflix” and it would likely be synonymous with the time when society winds down in front of their favourite shows and basically relax after a long day at work or school. It used to only be something that those overseas had access to, and most Malaysians would have their Astro or HyppTV subscriptions to fall back on.
However, the wait is finally over for all couch potatoes and non-couch potatoes alike, because who doesn’t have a favourite series that they scramble to catch up to every other night? Netflix is finally in Malaysia and this is a crash course guide for those who have no clue on how to begin on their binge-watching adventure.
1. The first month might be absolutely free.
If you are part of a group of people who adopts a try-see attitude before subscribing to anything for a period of time, Netflix may be an option that you can gravitate towards. The free trial is intended by Netflix for new members and some former members to try out the service and during sign-up, you will be informed whether or not you are eligible for the one-month free trial. Not everyone is committed to having a full contract for their entertainment purposes, and this is a good way that you can have Netflix, as and when desired.
2. More shows to watch in 2016.
Perhaps watching more shows might not be a resolution that many would have, but having a variety to choose from is always a good thing. 2016 will be a year that Netflix plans to release 31 new and returning original series, two dozen original feature films and documentaries, a vast array of stand-up comedy specials and 30 original kids series. Netflix is not just for you, it’s for the parents and the kids too, and everyone can find something that they would like to watch on this portal.
3. Have Internet, will watch Netflix.
So long as there’s Internet connection, your Netflix cravings can be satisfied as shows are able to viewed on any portal which has internet connection, for instance personal computers, tablets, smartphones, Smart TVs and even game consoles. This means that convenience will be at the tip of the consumer’s fingertips and the way they view their shows is entirely up to them.
4. No fast Internet, that’s okay.
The Internet connection does not have to be at a speed that is as high as 50Mbps, such as that offered at some cafes in Malaysia. In fact, all one needs is a minimum speed of 0.5 megabits per second. Certainly a faster connection would improve the video’s quality and some would prefer to watch in in clearer versions. However, having a minimum speed of only 0.5 megabits per second makes Netflix shows watchable even in public WiFi places which often times tend to have a lesser bandwidth range.
5. It’s not just all in English.
Netflix has already supported 17 languages, and now they have added to this, Arabic, Korean, as well as simplified and traditional Chinese. Movies shown in the cinema are often times displayed alongside subtitles and with the addition of subtitles in simplified and traditional Chinese as well as Arabic, it would be applicable to Malaysians who would prefer to view their shows with another language transcribed in as well.
6. A membership starts at only RM33 a month
RM33 a month would only total up to RM400 a year, and if you are a movie buff who heads out to watch movies just about every weekend, having a Netflix subscription might help you get your money’s worth of entertainment minus all the commutes to malls and zero parking spaces. Those who want more bang for their buck can opt for the subscription packages at RM42 and RM51 as well, depending on what options you would like to add to your subscription. For instance the RM42 package allows the subscriber to share that account with another user and 2 shows can be watched at the same time on their respective devices, meaning an end to a tug of war over the remote control.
This price is higher than iflix’ RM8/month subscription. However, the variety of shows that are available on both platforms have their own differences, with iflix leaning more towards localisation. So you can choose your streaming platform based on your personal preference.
7. Be part of a global community.
When you tune into Netflix, you are part of a global community whereby over 70 million members in over 190 countries could be enjoying the very same show that you have been following for the past few months. With this, Netflix is able to connect the world all through TV shows and movies.
To sign up for your own Netflix subscription, click here.
