Netflix expected to stream into Europe

The wait may almost be over for Europeans waiting to finally experience the highly anticipated online entertainment streaming giant Netflix. According to reports, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings (pictured) is said to be planning a major 2014 expansion into Europe, which may include France, Germany, and yes, Belgium as well.

Sources say that Netflix has been meeting with French and German officials to discuss the popular streaming service expanding into their markets. Rights negotiations are apparently underway in advance of the company’s expanding foray into European territory.

Netflix already exists in the UK, Ireland, the Nordic region, and the Netherlands, the company is hoping to go Europe-wide this year. It appears as though film distribution rights is currently the biggest hurdle to overcome, especially in France where distributors must wait three years after a film’s theatrical release before making it available online.

Even without the majority of Europe connected to Netflix content, a quarter of the company’s 44 million subscribers exist outside of the U.S.