StarHub’s Fibre TV customers will get to watch Netflix programmes on their set-top boxes from the “early second quarter” this year, as the telecom operator seeks to bring the American video streaming service to its customers.
The announcement yesterday came days after rival Singtel said it was throwing in three to nine months of free Netflix subscriptions, in an obvious bid to keep customers from “cutting the cord” from traditional pay-TV services.
StarHub has no discounts to offer. Instead, it promises viewers the convenience of paying for their Netflix subscriptions through their StarHub bills.
Since its launch in Singapore and 130 new markets on January 7, Netflix has threatened to attract viewers away from pay-TV providers in Singapore.
Priced from S$10.98 a month, the online video service started bringing a huge menu of programmes to users who had been paying roughly the same amount just to rent a set-top box.
A week after Netflix, Hong Kong’s PCCW brought a free video streaming service offering Korean dramas to Singapore, added more pressure on local players to either join hands with these new “over the top” Internet players or risk losing more customers, especially Net-savvy young ones.
StarHub’s Netflix programmes are only viewable by pay-TV customers who use its Fibre TV service. This makes use of the fibre optic link at home to deliver the videos.
Cable TV customers will not be able to watch Netflix on their set-top boxes, a company spokesman confirmed.
