• by Gavin O'Malley , Staff Writer @mp_gavin, January 9, 2012

It’s CES week, and, so far, the biggest news is Netflix bringing its streaming service to the UK. The move is “certainly one way to try to get the company’s 2012 off to a strong start,” GigaOm writes.

The expansion, as TechCrunch reminds us, had been help up by video content licensing deals with BBC Worldwide and MGM.

Over the weekend, The Next Web reported that Netflix was close to finalizing a number of content deals and would soon debut a new marketing campaign to accompany the imminent launch of its UK streaming service

Rather than quickly fixing the company’s issues, Netflix says the move represents a long-term investment. Indeed, “CEO Reed Hastings has admitted that the company’s UK operation will take at least two years to turn a profit,” VentureBeat writes. 

In the UK, TV programs and movies can now be streamed via Netflix to smart TVs, game consoles, computers, tablets and mobile device for $9.23 per month. Reacting immediately to the news, Amazon’s LoveFilm -- Netflix’s main rival in the UK -- has lowered its introductory streaming package to $7.69 per month.

VentureBeat previously reported that Netflix had signed deals with Sony, Disney, Paramount, ITV and Channel 4 in advance of the launch while Lovefilm had bagged BBC Worldwide and ITV.

Potentially making Amazon nervous, “Netflix … has a strong presence in the consumer-electronics world,” CNet writes. “Its streaming-video service can be seen on game consoles including the Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii; TVs from Samsung; Blue-ray players and home theater systems from LG; iPhones, iPads, Android phones and tablets; personal computers; and more.”

Meanwhile, as The Guardian notes: “The UK online TV and movie market – worth ($16 million) five years ago -- is booming and is expected to surge by 35% next year to ($584 million), according to Screen Digest.”