Netflix partners with Vodafone Italy

Netflix has partnered with Vodafone in Italy, with the operator due to introduce exclusive promotional offers that will bundle Netflix subscriptions with fibre or 4G services.

The deal, which comes ahead of Netflix’s launch in Italy next month, is designed to make it easy for Italians to sign up and pay for their monthly Netflix subscription through their Vodafone bill.

Netflix is due to launch a fully localised version of its service in Italy, which includes Italian subtitles and dubbing.

Meanwhile, Vodafone claims that its 4G coverage has 90% reach in Italy, with its fibre services now available in 127 cities in the country, including Milan and Bologna.

“As Netflix is introduced into Italy, partnering with Vodafone Italy lays a great foundation for us to provide Italians with top notch content and service,” said Bill Holmes, global head of business development at Netflix.

Gianluca Corti, consumer director at Vodafone Italy, said: “This partnership underscores our strategy of offering unique and differentiated conditions for Vodafone customers, combining the best connectivity provided by our superfast 4G and fibre broadband networks, the best quality of service with the very best in content.”

Similar partnerships between Netflix and Vodafone already exist in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, New Zealand. From next month, Netflix will also team up with Vodafone in Spain, in the first such deal struck by the streaming video provider in the country.

Using the Netflix app, Vodafone TV homes in Spain will be able to watch Netflix content through their set–top box. Netflix will also be available on smartphones and tablets.

Netflix is due to roll out in Italy, Portugal and Spain in October and has announced plans to launch in South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan.