We compared Netflix shows across new countries. The results are surprising.

Netflix original Orange is the New Black is available everywhere. Yay.

So Netflix just made a big bang announcement, launching its video streaming service in 130 countries all at once, smashing expectations. As a Netflix user, I was thrilled. It’s one of those companies that’s truly making an industry better, striking fear into broadcasters, production studios, and cable companies alike.

But is the global launch worth the hype? Should you be plonking down money to subscribe to the service? We did a comparison of Netflix in Singapore, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia – four of the new markets that launched today – with the US version. The results, it turns out, aren’t as bad as some might have feared:

The comparison unearthed some surprises. Granted, the US version of Netflix is still the best. It has the most complete selection of anime, though Crunchyroll is still the best dedicated anime streaming site.

Ironically, US Netflix beats Japan in this department. No Attack on Titan and Naruto, seriously?

The US version’s selection of TV serials is top notch, though it’s missing Better Call Saul, the prequel to Breaking Bad.

US Netflix is missing some movies too. No Batman Begins and Man of Steel. No Clockwork Orange and Catch Me If You Can either. To its credit, it does have martial arts hit Ip Man, which is weirdly missing in Asia. Ah, the mysteries of licensing deals.

Now for the best news. Most of Netflix’s original productions are watchable in all the countries we compared. House of Cards is the strange exception: you can’t view it in Singapore, India, and Indonesia. But Narcos, Master of None, Making a Murderer, Orange is the New Black, Jessica Jones, Daredevil, and Marco Polo are available everywhere.

And that is the whole goddamn point. Sure, Netflix may not be immune to antiquated distribution rights. But by making and distributing its own programs, it can make them available everywhere, all at the same time. That is game-changing.

Perhaps that was the very point it was making with its global launch.

So should you subscribe to a VPN?

As a consumer, you now have two choices. Should you stick to the local version, or get a VPN – which costs about US$10 a month – to get the full flavor?

My recommendation is to get a VPN. You owe it to yourself to get one anyway to protect your privacy. So you should be getting a VPN regardless of whether you watch Netflix.

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