Here’s when new Netflix originals drop in the US, the UK, Australia, India, Pakistan, Canada, Ireland, Singapore, South Africa, and New Zealand.
Netflix has forever changed how we consume entertainment. For many, it’s synonymous with streaming services—and for good reason. It produces more originals than many of its competitors put together. More importantly, it invests in local content significantly more than any other Hollywood player. It has more than 270 million subscribers worldwide in 190 countries. Over two-thirds of that paid subscriber base lies outside North America, which underscores Netflix’s global renown and popularity. No wonder then that it’s the default choice. But that globalized nature also makes it impossible for Netflix to pick a release time that suits everyone.
If Netflix were to drop new episodes and movies at the same local time, say 12 pm (noon) wherever you live, it would be unfair to millions. After all, that would open the door for spoilers, as anyone who would have access before others could potentially spoil it for them. Not to mention such a move would encourage piracy as a result. That’s why Netflix operates with a single, global release time. It might be inconvenient for many—either too early in the morning or too late at night—but at least it’s fair to everyone. No matter where you reside, you get access to new Netflix originals at the same time as every other subscriber on the planet.
As a reference point, Netflix picked its own headquarters in Los Gatos, California. Since the United States observes daylight saving time—which is used by less than 40 per cent of the globe—the release times vary, depending on the month, in a lot of the countries. Even in other places that do employ it, the variance in the start and end of DST can impact when new Netflix shows and films drop.
Before we jump in, a caveat—while the times mentioned below will apply to 99.99 per cent of new originals, Netflix does make an exception at times for certain titles. That happens when a title is exceedingly popular or because Netflix is trying out a different release strategy. For instance, Rebel Moon – Part One was released five hours earlier than usual, while Sacred Games season 2 dropped over 12 hours early. But it’s super rare.
Now, then. Let’s give you the answer you’re looking for. Just tell me this: where do you live?
What time does Netflix release new content in the US and Canada?
New Netflix original movies and TV series always release at midnight Pacific time in the US and Canada. That means if you live in cities on the West Coast—such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, or Vancouver—you can start watching that exciting new title from 12am (midnight) on the day of release.
If you live in the Mountain time zone—which includes the likes of Denver, Calgary, and Salt Lake City—new Netflix originals are available at 1 am on the day of release. As for the Central time zone—for the likes of Dallas and Kansas City—the release time translates to 2 am on the day of release.
For those on the East Coast—in cities such as New York, Toronto, and Washington DC—new Netflix movies and TV series always release at 3 am Eastern. These times do not change all year round.
What time does Netflix release new episodes in the UK and Ireland?
New Netflix original movies and TV series mostly release at 8 am local time in the UK and Ireland. But for a few weeks every year—due to the differences in when daylight saving time starts and ends—the Netflix release time changes.
In the US, daylight saving time starts at 2 am on the second Sunday in March. In the UK and Ireland, as per European Union law, it starts at 2 am on the last Sunday of March. Hence, between the second Monday in March and the last Sunday of March, new Netflix titles show up at 7 am local time in the UK and Ireland.
A similar thing occurs every autumn. In the UK and Ireland, daylight saving time ends at 2 am on the last Sunday of October. In the US, it ends at 2 am on the first Sunday in November. Hence, between the last Monday of October (or the first Monday of November, depending on the year) and the first Sunday in November, new Netflix titles drop at 7 am local time in the UK and Ireland.
Netflix release time in South Africa
As South Africa does not observe daylight saving time, the Netflix release time changes due to the time zone observed on release day in the US. DST starts at 2 am on the second Sunday in March and ends at 2 am on the first Sunday in November in North America.
Between the second Monday in March and the first Sunday in November, new Netflix original movies and TV series release at 9 am local time in South Africa.
Between the first Monday in November and the second Sunday in March, new Netflix original movies and TV series release at 10 am local time in South Africa.
When does Netflix drop new series and movies in Pakistan?
As Pakistan does not observe daylight saving time, the Netflix release time changes due to the time zone observed on release day at the Netflix HQ. DST starts at 2 am on the second Sunday in March and ends at 2 am on the first Sunday in November in the US.
Between the second Monday in March and the first Sunday in November, new Netflix original movies and TV series release at 12 pm local time in Pakistan.
Between the first Monday in November and the second Sunday in March, new Netflix original movies and TV series release at 1 pm local time in Pakistan.
Netflix release time in India
As India does not observe daylight saving time, the Netflix release time changes due to the time zone observed on release day in America. DST starts at 2 am on the second Sunday in March and ends at 2 am on the first Sunday in November in the US.
Between the second Monday in March and the first Sunday in November, new Netflix original movies and TV series release at 12:30 pm local time in India.
Between the first Monday in November and the second Sunday in March, new Netflix original movies and TV series release at 1:30 pm local time in India.
When does Netflix drop new TV shows and movies in Singapore?
As Singapore does not observe daylight saving time, the Netflix release time changes due to the time zone observed on release day at Netflix HQ. DST starts at 2 am on the second Sunday in March and ends at 2 am on the first Sunday in November in the US.
Between the second Monday in March and the first Sunday in November, new Netflix original movies and TV series release at 3 pm local time in Singapore.
Between the first Monday in November and the second Sunday in March, new Netflix original movies and TV series release at 4 pm local time in Singapore.
Netflix release time in Australia
Australia has three time zones: Western, Central, and Eastern. But only two of them—Central and Eastern—observe daylight saving time.
As the Western time zone (in cities such as Perth) does not observe daylight saving time, the Netflix release time changes due to the time zone observed on release day at Netflix HQ. DST starts at 2 am on the second Sunday in March and ends at 2 am on the first Sunday in November in the US.
Between the second Monday in March and the first Sunday in November, new Netflix original movies and TV series release at 3 pm Western time.
Between the first Monday in November and the second Sunday in March, new Netflix original movies and TV series release at 4 pm Western time.
New Netflix original movies and TV series release at 4:30 pm Central (that includes Adelaide) and 5 pm Eastern (the likes of Sydney and Melbourne) for most parts of the year. However, due to the differences in when daylight saving time starts and ends in the US and Australia, the Netflix release time changes for a few weeks each year.
In the US, daylight saving time starts at 2 am on the second Sunday in March. In Australia, it ends at 2 am on the first Sunday of April. Hence, between the second Monday in March and the first Sunday of April, new Netflix titles show up at 5:30 pm Central and 6 pm Eastern.
A similar thing occurs every spring. In Australia, daylight saving time starts at 2 am on the first Sunday of October. In the US, it ends at 2 am on the first Sunday in November. Hence, between the first Monday of October and the first Sunday in November, new Netflix titles arrive at 5:30 pm Central and 6 pm Eastern.
When does Netflix drop new originals in New Zealand?
New Netflix original movies and TV series mostly release at 7 pm local time in New Zealand. However, due to the differences in when daylight saving time starts and ends in the US and New Zealand, the Netflix release time changes for a few weeks each year.
In the US, daylight saving time starts at 2 am on the second Sunday in March. In New Zealand, it ends at 3 am on the first Sunday of April. Hence, between the second Monday in March and the first Sunday of April, new Netflix titles roll in at 8 pm local time in New Zealand.
A similar thing occurs every spring. In New Zealand, daylight saving time starts at 2 am on the last Sunday of September. In the US, it ends at 2 am on the first Sunday in November. Hence, between the last Monday of September (or the first Monday of October, depending on the year) and the first Sunday in November, new Netflix titles show up at 8 pm local time in New Zealand.
- Where to watch Olympics 2024 live – July 26, 2024
- All 34 Marvel Cinematic Universe movies ranked, including Deadpool & Wolverine – July 26, 2024
- Deadpool & Wolverine post-credits scenes, explained – July 26, 2024
What do you think?