CES: Netflix services go global, streaming available in 130 additional countries

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Netflix CEO Reed Hastings announced the streaming service has expanded to nearly every country around the globe.

During his keynote address Wednesday at the CES technology show in Las Vegas, Hastings remarked only China -- with which the company is still negotiating -- North Korea, Syria and Crimea will be left out of the movement, affectionately titled "Netflix Everywhere."

Almost immediately following the announcements, the company's opening price rose 7 percent in the stock market.

"Today, I am delighted to announce that while we have been here on stage at CES, we switched Netflix in Azerbaijan, in Vietnam, in India, in Nigeria, in Poland, in Russia, in Saudi Arabia, in Singapore, in South Korea, in Turkey, in Indonesia, and in 130 new countries," Hastings said during his address, according to The Wrap.

The global move also introduces the addition of three more supported languages on the streaming service including Korean, Chinese and Arabic. The total number of supported languages on Netflix is now 21.

"Today you are witnessing the birth of a new global internet TV network," Hastings said. "With this launch, consumers around the wourld -- from Singapore to St. Petersburg, from San Francisco to Sao Paulo -- will be able to enjoy TV shows and movies simultaneously -- no more waiting. With the help of the internet, we are putting power in consumers' hands to watch whenever, wherever and on whatever device."

Limitations will still be present in certain markets including the possible unavailability of original series like House of Cards and Orange is The New Black due to the company's lack of distribution rights. However, Hastings asserted the company is continuing to pursue maximum availability and accessibility around the world.

"When we started Netflix 20 years ago," Hastings said, "we dreamed of the day when we could deliver Netflix to [billions of people around the world]."

By the end of the year, Netflix will also be compatible with high dynamic range, or HDR, video for compatible televisions. Hastings reportedly predicts users with such devices will feel a "visceral sensation that's pretty amazing," due to the variety of color and definition in upcoming shows.

As of Wednesday's announcement, Hastings added Netflix has provided 125 million hours a day of video entertainment to its viewers and has streamed 12 billion hours of television shows and movies over the last three months alone.