Netflix goes Down Under

Netflix has announced that it will make its debut in Australia and New Zealand in March 2015.

In a statement, the company says that at launch its service will be available on smart TVs, tablets and smartphones, computers and a range of internet-capable game consoles and set-top boxes, with an offer that includes such original series as Marco Polo, BoJack Horseman and, among many kids titles, DreamWorks Animations’ All Hail King Julien.

Australia’s The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the announcement comes as Nine Entertainment and Fairfax Media plan a move into streaming with a joint venture named Stan.

Meanwhile, Seven West Media is in advanced talks with Foxtel about a possible venture, with more details about their plans likely to emerge in the next few weeks, Broadband TV News reports.

Foxtel is in addition preparing to re-launch its existing movie streaming service Presto, the cost of which it halved earlier this year.

Netflix is also expected to launch in Japan next year, as well as in more European markets.