I have just been listening to the BBC World Service and there is a very interesting item on Netflix. Apparently Netflix is doing very well and their stock has just gone over $100 billion.
The interesting part is their intention to use a big chunk of their profits to greatly increase original content production. What caught my attention is the observation that the big advantage of original content is that there are no geographical restrictions on distribution. My impression is that Netflix is fed up with being strangled by ridiculous Hollywood restrictions and wants to be able to provide its content anywhere it wishes.
By producing more original content of a high standard, less and less geo-restricted stuff from traditional sources will be required. I see this as a hopeful sign that eventually traditional content producers will not be able to compete, and will either have to adapt or be forced out of the market. I think this is a very exciting development.
Just in case anyone wonders, I believe in paying for content but I do not believe in being restricted in what I am able to buy. I am strongly against geo-blocking which is arbitrary and discriminatory and disproportionately disadvantages small territories like New Zealand. I think it is motivated by greed and the sooner it is gone, the better.
I look forward to the day when the content dinosaurs are dead and anyone can view any content anywhere they like.