Netflix launched in 129 countries, including Pakistan

This March 20, 2012, file photo, shows Netfilx headquarters in Los Gatos, Calif. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

Netflix, the world’s leading video-streaming network, announced the launch of its services in Pakistan and 129 other countries on Wednesday.

The Netflix website offers users the services starting at $7.99 a month, with a free month offer.

“Today you are witnessing the birth of a new global Internet TV network,” said Co-founder and Chief Executive Reed Hastings during a Consumer Electronics Show keynote in Las Vegas.

“With this launch, consumers around the world – 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.”

Shares of the company rose as much as 8.5 percent to $116.85, their highest one-day gain in more than four months.

However, all shows will not be available immediately to some Netflix fans.

“We’re moving as quickly as we can to have global availability of all the content on Netflix,” Hastings said at a press conference after the keynote address.

India, Nigeria, Russia and Saudi Arabia were among the major countries where the service was launched while the US government restrictions mean it will not be available in Crime, North Korean and Syria.

Netflix, whose services were available in more than 60 countries before Wednesday’s launch, had previously said it aimed to reach 200 countries by the end of 2016.