To ramp up its presence in the Indian market, digital video streaming service Netflix has announced three strategic partnerships. Netflix CEO Reed Hastings who is visiting India right now has signed deals with Airtel, Videocon d2h and Vodafone India. Under this deal, Netflix will have a prominent presence in your living room, right through Airtel and Videocon d2h set-top boxes. In addition, the partnership with Vodafone will bring carrier billing option for Netflix in the country.
“India is one of the most important and we are delighted to be teaming up with three of India’s leading companies set-top,” said Reed Hastings, Netflix Co-founder and CEO. “The partnerships with Airtel and Videocon d2h set-top boxes while the Vodafone partnership is for payment integration,“.
Netflix on Airtel digital TV and Videocon d2h
Under the deal, Netflix app will be added to both Airtel digital TV and Videocon d2h set top boxes. So now you can stream content directly from Netflix on your television. One advantage is that you won’t need a costly smart TV or Google Chromecast to stream the content. Of course, your television should support ethernet or WiFi-based internet connection. Also, you should have a Netflix subscription, which starts at Rs 500 per month.
If you are using Videocon d2h, then the company will assign a dedicated Netflix button on the remote control. This addition will be made to Videocon d2h’s new HD Smart Connect STB. A new product from Videocon d2h that converts your existing LED TV into a Smart TV.
Vodafone Carrier billing
More convenient in paying your monthly Netflix subscription at least of Vodafone India mobile subscribers. Netflix will integrate Vodafone carrier billing option. This allows pan-India Vodafone’s Prepaid and Postpaid customers to pay for their monthly Netflix subscription monthly mobile bill or prepaid account balance.
“We are proud to be the first mobile partner of Netflix in India and look forward to offering its rich content to further delight our millions of customers,” said Sandeep Kataria, Director Commercial, Vodafone India.