Netflix
IN PHOTO: The headquarters of Netflix is shown in Los Gatos, California in this file photo taken September 20, 2011. Netflix Inc reported higher profit that beat Wall Street expectations for the quarter that ended in March, boosted by the addition of 2.25 million customers to its movie and TV streaming service in the United States. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith/Files Reuters

Netflix is reportedly trying to conquer Australia, and free-to-air TV networks are now considering launching a rival service to compete with the U.S. company.

A report from The Australian claims that Netflix is planning to occupy the Aussie market within 12 months, which has put other networks into an emergency defence mode in case the rumour is real.

Seven Network is apparently considering deals from other telco and digital television players, such as Optus, Freeview and listed subscription service provider Quickfix, to combat the potential problem that is Netflix.

Also taking gearing up for the U.S. service invasion is Nine Network, which is reportedly working on launching its own streaming service Stream Co by the end of 2014.

Foxtel, on the other hand, is still the foremost subscription streaming service in the country. It is adjusting its products with Foxtel Presto to lock in premium content to maintain its lead.

This isn’t the first time Netflix has been reported to expand its market in Australia.

In late 2013, a report also published on The Australian suggested that the online video streaming giant would be launching in Australia in 2014.

The report claimed that Netflix, which previously said that it had no plans to launch the service in Australia before it expanded to Europe, changed its mind after being swayed by people who use bypass geoblocks to subscribe to Netflix.

Netflix is a paid TV and movie streaming service available to subscribers for U$7.99 per month. It has commissioned several ratings-hit TV shows for exclusive streaming, including Orange if the New Black” and “House of Cards.”

But since it is only available to subscribers in the U.S. and some parts of Europe, Australian viewers aren’t able to watch its programs. Some, however, bypass geoblocks to be able to watch products from Netflix.

And with the increasing number of people doing this, the report claimed that Netflix has been finally swayed to extend their service in the country, seeing that it has a market waiting for it.

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