Netflix eyeing Latin America, Britain for next international launches

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While Wall Street eagerly awaits word on where Netflix will expand next overseas, the fast-growing home entertainment company has signaled its plans to Hollywood.

According to entertainment industry insiders, Netflix executives have said they plan to expand soon to Latin America -- with Mexico and Brazil considered particularly promising markets -- and Britain.

A spokesman for Netflix declined to comment on the company’s plans abroad.

Netflix launched in Canada last September and expected to have as many as 900,000 subscribers there by the end of March. The company previously told investors that if growth in that country continued to be strong, it would expand into other foreign countries in the second half of 2011.

Investors and observers have been looking for clues as to where Netflix will next offer its online video service in order to gauge its global growth prospects.

Britain could pose a particular challenge, as it’s the first country in which Netflix will face a direct competitor. LoveFilm, which in January was acquired by Amazon.com, offers a similar service there.

For much more on the challenges Netflix faces, including potential competitors, see the story in tomorrow’s Times.

-- Ben Fritz