Imagine this nightmare scenario – you’re finally enjoying a vacation and want to top an adventurous day off by watching an episode of Hoarders. You link your Netflix account to the TV in your Airbnb, only to realize that the show isn’t available! In fact, it’s among more than 300 shows and movies that can only be watched on Netflix in the USA.
Why can’t you just watch anything from Netflix’s library anywhere? Here are the reasons behind Netflix’s regional restrictions and how this doesn’t need to be an issue for you.
Why Does Available Netflix Content Vary By Catalog?
Netflix operates almost everywhere in the world, and no two countries have the exact same catalog. Several factors are at play, but regional and licensing restrictions are crucial.
While Netflix makes a lot of original movies and shows, it’s also a large distributor for others. This means that it has to adhere to licensing rules, which vary by region and country. Netflix might have the rights to broadcast a show in the US, but not in France, if a local distributor has managed to secure the rights first.
Even original Netflix content might not be available everywhere if the company didn’t secure global rights for it.
Also, licensing rights aren’t indefinite. They might expire or get transferred to other distributors in one region without affecting others.
Language settings
Netflix aims for the best possible user experience regardless of country. Language settings are a good baseline for this since they determine preferred dubbing options and whether or not you need subtitles. The platform will sometimes restrict its catalog based on your language choice if subtitles for it aren’t available.
Interest and demand
Much of Netflix’s content enjoys global popularity. However, the platform also hosts niche content with limited local appeal. For example, it’s reasonable for Netflix to offer a selection of popular Malaysian shows for its Malaysian market. Unless one of them is a breakout success like South Korea’s Squid Game, it makes much less sense to secure distribution rights as well as pay for subbing and marketing those same shows in a region where there’s little to no demand.
Censorship
Some countries have strict rules regarding what’s permissible to show on TV. Therefore, they might pressure Netflix to remove content from its local catalog that violates those rules. Saudi Arabia and its neighboring Gulf states did this, stating that content that clashes with religious morals shouldn’t be made available locally.
Can You Access Other Netflix Catalogs?
EU residents in other European countries also have access to their home catalog for a limited time. Otherwise, you can only view the catalog of the country you’re currently in. But what if you’re an American tourist who wants to access the shows and movies you’re used to, and the Czech catalog just isn’t cutting it?
Officially, you’re stuck. The ToS states that any means of circumventing regional restrictions is a breach. That isn’t stopping people from using unofficial means, though, especially since Netflix rarely, if ever, punishes violators,
What tools should you use?
VPNs remain the most reliable means of removing geographical restrictions from Netflix. An active VPN for Samsung TV or the device you plan to stream Netflix can change your IP address, making it look like you’re connecting from a different location. Netflix will recognize this and offer the content available in the country you set the VPN to. Keep in mind that this might not be enough.
Only reputable paid VPNs offer the complete privacy and protection needed to access the desired country’s Netflix library. Free VPNs and shady browser add-ons might promise the same, but they cause more problems than they fix. Specifically, free VPNs are known to collect and sell user data, thereby defeating their purpose and rendering them ineffective for accessing Netflix.
How to find the best streaming VPN?
Start by looking for a VPN with a solid track record for streaming, an extensive server network (so you have multiple location options if one gets blocked), and clear privacy practices. It is also helpful to check whether the provider regularly works with Netflix, as access can change over time due to Netflix’s updates to its detection systems.
Multiple reputable services run frequent discounts, and you can sometimes find VPN deals through creators’ and streamers’ sponsorship links. NordVPN Pewdiepie discount codes are just one of the many examples.
Conclusion
Netflix’s catalog changes when you change countries, and it can be surprisingly jarring when a comfort show disappears right when you want it most. The good news is that once you understand why those regional restrictions exist, it becomes much easier to plan around them and avoid frustration.