Netflix will expand its online video streaming offering to Canada, Reuters reports. This marks the first international expansion for the online video giant. Netflix will only offer online streaming to Canadian customers, with no snail mail DVD rentals.
It is still unknown what movies and television shows will be streamed to Canadian customers, or what plans and pricing will be offered. This move will pit Netflix against its Canadian counterpart, Zip.ca, which offers DVD rentals by mail and at kiosks, similar to Redbox.
The move could be a trial for Netflix, using Canada as a test market for future expansion plans. Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has big plans for Netflix. He has said in the past that he expects Netflix to be built into all televisions before long — a good thing, since the long-term vision for Netflix is hinged on transitioning entirely to online streaming. But don’t hold your breathe, Hastings doesn’t expect their DVD rentals to disappear until 2030.
Related Posts
You can now enjoy Substack on a TV, if that’s your idea of fun times
The app, which has just rolled out for Apple TV and Google TV, basically takes the video content and livestreams from the creators you already subscribe to and splashes them onto the biggest screen in your house. It is a smart, calculated move toward what the tech industry calls a "lean-back" experience. Instead of hunching over a laptop or squinting at a smartphone screen to watch a forty-minute interview or a deep-dive lecture, you can now throw it on the TV while you cook dinner, fold laundry, or just relax on the couch.
Wondering if YouTube TV is worth it? This new promo will help you decide without hurting your wallet
Typically, YouTube TV offers a 7-day free trial, after which subscribers pay $82.99 per month for the streaming service. Under the new promotion, subscribers can enjoy a 10-day free trial and pay just $59.99 per month for the first two months.
Netflix’s latest move is huge for movie theaters, and fantastic for you and I
In April 2025, Sarandos previously stated that he loved theaters but thought that theatrical moviegoing is an “outmoded idea, for most people, not for everybody.” As a result, Netflix's purchase of Warner Bros. ignited backlash and fears over the film industry's future.