The movie and TV streaming service Netflix has launched in the UK and Ireland, although it is set to face stiff competition from online rivals, including Amazon-owned Lovefilm.
Research carried out last summer suggested that Netflix was the single biggest driver of internet traffic in the US, although the company experienced a difficult period in the third quarter which resulted in the loss of 800,000 customers
The US-based service launched in 2007 and has more than 20 million online subscribers in 47 countries. Films will be available on a variety of platforms, including games consoles, smartphones and tablets, and
Netflix is hoping to make use of locally produced content including full seasons of UK favourites such as Top Gear, The Only Way is Essex, The Inbetweeners and Torchwood.