Post Category - Play & PartyPlay & Party - Post Category - IndoorIndoorNetflix in Dubai! Here’s how it works, and what to watch
Familiar with the term ‘Netflix and Chill’, mama? If not, it’s time to get acquainted as the amahhhhzing video streaming service made its debut in Dubai (and around the world) recently. Hooray!
Thanks to the magic of VPNs, some of us have been lucky enough to use the US version of the site, but it’s now available to most of the world. You can watch anywhere: on your TV, on your computer, on your tablet device or even your phone – all you need is a broadband connection.
What does it cost?
In terms of pricing, here’s the rundown, mama:
- Packages start from USD 7.99 a month for Basic service (with the first month free), allowing streaming to one device at a time in standard definition quality
- The Standard package is priced at USD 9.99 a month, offering high-definition content on two devices at the same time
- The Premium service package is priced at USD 11.99, offering ultra high-definition content across four devices at one time. This is great if you have a big household!
If you compare this to what you pay for cable, this is an amazing deal. It’s little wonder so many people are “cutting the cord” when you’ve got virtually unlimited, on-demand, commercial-free entertainment at your fingertips.
What to Watch
The word binge took on new meaning when we got Netflix. Just as one episode ends, there’s a 10-second countdown before the next episode automatically launches. So clever!
Netflix reportedly has over 36,000 titles split between movies and TV shows (with more than 600 hours of original content alone!), meaning you could stream unique content for the next six and a half years. But we know you’ve got other things to do, mama. So here’s my highly scientific (and totally biased) list of the best shows to watch on Netflix. (I won’t get into movies, but this list is a good place to start. Anyone who recommends Clueless and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is AOK in my book!).
The full US catalogue isn’t yet available due to local licensing deals, but here’s what you should plan to watch, if you can:
Breaking Bad
Probably the best show of all time; clever, shocking, kind of funny and very sad. The first season starts off a little slowly but I promise by the second season you’ll be hooked! (As a bonus, apparently the spin-off show Better Call Saul is being offered in Dubai, even though it’s unavailable as of yet in the States).
Orange is the New Black
This Netflix show set in a women’s prison is brilliant, hilarious (though I’d personally say it’s more of a drama than a comedy), and more diverse than just about anything on TV. It uses flashback to the best effect since Lost. It’s got some very risqué sex scenes, so it’ll be interesting to see if it’s censored in Dubai.
Making a Murderer
This Netflix original documentary launched a few weeks ago and has the whole city abuzz with the fascinating true story of a man who was imprisoned for sexual assault and attempted murder, then exonerated and released, then convicted and sentenced to life without parole for another murder – apparently under shady legal circumstances.
Master of None
This new 30-minute show from hilarious comedian Aziz Ansari examines not only the life of a single 20-something New Yorker (on the surface pretty standard sitcom fare), but also the immigrant experience (his parents play themselves and his Dad is a total scene-stealer) and Ansari’s own experience as an Indian-American actor. Ultimately it’s actually pretty thought-provoking. Bonus points for the great NYC scenery – watching often left me very hungry!
Kids’ Programming
Netflix offers a nice range of animated and live-action series. I haven’t taken advantage as of yet but it’s got classics like Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Bill Nye the Science Guy and Reading Rainbow, along with current popular offerings like Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Dragon Tales, Zooboomafoo and Sonic Underground.
Netflix lets you try out the service for free for a month, so sign up today, mama (and we’ll talk to you after your 30 days is up – because you’re not gonna want to leave your couch until then!).
