Cubans with Internet connections and access to international payment methods can now become monthly subscribers to Netflix, according to a company announcement released on Monday.
“We are delighted to finally be able to offer Netflix to the people of Cuba, connecting them with stories they will love from all over the world,” said Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings. "Cuba has great filmmakers and robust arts culture and one day we hope to be able to bring their work to our global audience of over 57 million members," he added.
The press release said Cubans with the ability to subscribe will be able "to instantly watch a curated selection of popular movies and TV shows."
The question is how many Cubans have Internet access as well as the means to pay the monthly fees, which start at $7.99.
Very few Cubans have access to Internet connections fast enough to stream video. According to a recent Associated Press report on an underground private computer network created by Cuban youth, Cuba is one of the least wired countries in the world.
The fee is also steep in a country where the average Cuban makes about $20 a month. Eight dollars is about 13 times more than the average mortgage payment and 4 to 6 times greater than the average electricity bill.
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--NBC's Mary Murray contributed to this report.
