Netflix Announces UK and Ireland Launch in Early 2012

Netflix has announced that it is launching in the UK and Ireland in early 2012. This comes after plenty of rumors and speculation about a European assault by Netflix. The company hasn't confirmed other launches, but they are coming soon as well.

The company has now announced that its first two European markets will be the UK and Ireland, but it hasn't provided much other details, including pricing.

"Netflix... announced it will expand to the United Kingdom and Ireland in early 2012, offering unlimited TV shows and movies streaming instantly over the Internet to TVs and computers for one low monthly subscription price," the company said.

"Upon launch, Netflix members from the UK and Ireland will be able to instantly watch a wide array of TV shows and movies right on their TVs via a range of consumer electronics devices capable of streaming from Netflix, as well as on PCs, Macs and mobile tablets and phones," it explained.

Netflix promised more details will be available closer to launch. The pricing is the biggest question, but you can expect it to be a bit steeper than in the US, where unlimited streaming is available for $9.99, 7.19€ or £6.26.

The title selection is the next unknown, it remains to be seen what Netflix has been able to secure in the two European markets.

Netflix debuted its streaming service just four years ago but it has already become the biggest part of its business. Netflix expanded to Canada last year and than to 43 Latin America countries in one fell swoop last month.

Needless to say, the DVD-rental service, for which it became known, is only available in the US and it will stay that way.

Netflix has been rumored to launch in Spain as well, but since there is no official announcement, that will probably come at a later date than the UK and Ireland launch.