[LINK] New NZ ISP offers access to geo-blocked sites like Netflix

[Paul Bolger]

It'll be interesting to see what the reaction from the content
providers is. It's already possible to access geoblocked content via a
VPN account with a node in the appropriate area - we use one to
download ABC Iview programs, which we used to be able to watch on
satellite before the ABC switched to a satellite with footprint which
doesn't cover NZ.

>From the ABC's point of view there are two sides to this: when they
buy programs from other companies such as the BBC they agree to take
all reasonable steps to prevent people in countries outside Australia
watching those programs as this would hurt the BBC's ability to sell
their programs directly into those markets. They would also agree to
do the same with in house programs which are sold to TVNZ so as not to
queer the NZ broadcast market.

So, it's the 'all reasonable steps' bit which is crucial. If enough
companies start doing this the downloadable content providers are
going to have to think of another way to limit their content. From the
ABC's point of view they are probably watching with some frustration -
the current regime offers a nice balance, if it's upset their ability
to offer Iview type services may be threatened.