After months of preparation, Netflix has launched its online video streaming service in the UK and Ireland.

Netflix is available right now for customers in these two countries, who can get a free one-month trial. After the trial, the service costs £5.99 or €6.99 ($8.87).

Users will be able to watch TV shows such as Prison Break and Damages, as well as movies such as 3:10 to Yuma, Blitz and The English Patient. Netflix offers a wide range of programmes for kids, and promises to continuously keep adding new content.

Users will also be able to stream the content to a PC, smart TV, tablet, smartphone or Blu-ray player, and get personalized recommendations as well as Facebook-based viewing suggestions.

Leading up to the UK launch, Netflix has signed content deals with several major broadcasting houses, including the BBC, Miramax and Lionsgate. Its biggest competitor in the UK, Amazon's LoveFilm, has also started beefing up the content side, most recently signing deals with ITV and the BBC.