Streaming giant Netflix, which will launch in Ireland and the UK this year, has reported that users watched more than 2bn hours of TV shows and movies in the fourth quarter.
The company currently counts more than 20m streaming members globally.
“We were thrilled to deliver more than 2bn hours of TV shows and movies across 45 countries in the fourth quarter,” said Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings.
“Netflix delights members by giving them choice, convenience and control over the entertainment they love for an incredibly low price.”
Throughout 2011, Netflix continued to add to its already expansive variety of TV shows and movies in the US, signing new multi-year agreements with CBS, 20th Century Fox, Lionsgate, Miramax, Open Road Films, NBC Universal, Dreamworks Animation, MGM and the Disney-ABC Television Group among others, and announcing the creation of the highly-anticipated Netflix original series House of Cards, a political thriller from executive producer David Fincher and starring two-time Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey.
Last month, we reported that Netflix signed a deal to serve BBC content globally. Beginning early 2012, previous series of BBC shows such as Torchwood and Spooks will be available for Netflix members to watch instantly in the UK and Ireland streamed over the internet to connected TVs, tablets, game consoles, computers and mobile phones.
In October, Netflix revealed it plans to launch in Ireland and the UK early in 2012.
Another Netflix original, Lilyhammer, starring Steven Van Zandt of The Sopranos and Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, as a New York gangster in Norway, premieres on Netflix in the US, Canada and Latin America on 6 February.
“In the coming months, Netflix members can enjoy complete seasons of great TV series from all the major networks and most branded cable channels, as well as fantastic films like Drive, Hugo, Captain America and Margin Call,” said Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos.
“The more great TV shows and movies Netflix adds, the more people watch,” he said.
