Netflix: An Explanation and Some Reflections
 

http://blog.netflix.com/2011/09/expl...flections.html

interesting how they lost 500k customers last month due to the price increase

that sucks... :wtf2:

Reported!!

Hater....
I see the reasoning he wants to do this, but it will be suck for this who have both services.

The strangest part to me is the name change of the DVD by mail division. "Qwikster" ...W.T.F. This is like adding salt to injury by separating the companies, billing, websites ...

Growing pains. They became so big so fast, and they dominated for so long... The increase and the break with Starz are eating them alive. I've retained my streaming acct with them, but I'm no "Qwikster" member. I don't know if it will work or not, but obviously they had to make this move for some big reason. Will it work? Only time will tell.

Will the PR work from this apologetic blog post and the emails sent? Only time will tell.

i quit both... farktards.

I quit the delivery svc, since I was paying extra for blu-ray but really utilizing the streaming capability about a thousand times more often than watching disks. So, the only change for me, really, is that I don't pay extra for blu ray and only have the streaming selections. Since my queue is overflowing, I'm not running short of things to watch any time soon.

I probably get three disks a week via the mail and likely watch around a dozen hours of streaming. But I couldn't go to streaming along since most of the stuff I stream I likely wouldn't rent by mail. I'm actually less upset by the price increase than I am from this slimy attempt at PR.

Only time will tell, but I think they distanced themselves from their core DVD service so they can see if it can go belly-up. If you ask me, from a marketing perspective, what reason would they have to separate and change the name to something that rhymes with "Trickster" if they weren't planning on abandoning it.

The DVD division will die in a little over five years. From high fees to mail discs, rapid growth in streaming, to debt caused this move. The company wants to keep the main name with the truly growing division and split off the dead leg.

Though I find it interesting that so late in the game they will offer video game rental. This could honestly bring a new huge revenue market to the company since video game streaming services are still years away from offering a viable service. I honestly might be using that service since I do not buy a lot of games but would like to rent some just to play a few.

I guess it's competition for gamefly? If you can get movies and games for the same cost as a gamefly subscription?

Ya I just read this email, I am only going to use the streaming service now myself. If the game rental part looks good then maybe I will give it a shot.

I understand that the steaming division is really the method of the future, but I wonder if that future is here yet?

The "net neutrality" debate and corresponding legislation is far from over. There have been many attempts by internet companies to limit or charge for extra bandwidth. With no control of the distribution mechanism for their streaming service Netflix is at the whim of these external factors.

I hope it doesn't happen, but I can see major showdowns between companies like Netflix and major ISPs over bandwidth consumption. Not to mention the fact that major studios over-estimate the value of their intellectual properties with respect to Netflix's steaming business model ...

It actually boils down to -- I hate change that has not specifically been approved by me! :(

:)

Netflix streaming has already become the preeminent bandwidth hog.
:roflpuke2::roflpuke2:

my gripe with streaming only is that it seems to take a long time for big blockbuster type movies to get to streaming, even after they offer them using the disc service. would i rather do streaming only? yes of course. but the video quality usually isn't as good and i'd rather have a disc. i go through 3 a week as well. i always watch whatever movie i have next the day i get it and send it back the next. people who sit around with the same movie for a month probably need to drop the movie service. for me, it's worth it. i'll stick with it for now, interesting that they are adding games too

I cancelled after the increase as I found the streaming content a bit lacking. The quality is usually adequate depending on the content (although could be better) but the big issue is content and the lack thereof. Hopefully the split will allow them to actually get serious about streaming and get some decent distribution contracts going with the movie whorehouses. As the average home gets improved internet service the quality of service will be increased accordingly. For now I'm with Blockbuster as they don't surcharge for Blu-ray.

**** Netflix. I cancelled both services.

Blockbuster lost me a long time before I even signed up for netflix. They've fleeced me so much for late fees over the years. I refuse to use them on general principle.

I hear ya. The stores used to be awful but they are all but gone now. Never had any issues with the mail service though.

An update to the on going Netflix/Qwikster:

http://blog.netflix.com/2011/10/dvds...etflixcom.html

I'm waiting for:

The pricing will stay, they need the money actually.
Studios are demanding almost a 300% increase in contract pricing for the streaming service and Netflix has to pay it or lose it. Also, they have been adding more content as they promised for streaming and rumor is they have a few big ones left to roll out. :)

Welcome news. I can deal with the price increase, what I really hated was that stupid name

I cancelled some time ago.

Netflix ditches plan to rent DVDs on Qwikster - chicagotribune.com

sooo.......... jk?

no changes to netflix.. got the email today or sometime last week, I hadn't checked it lol

anyway... just netflix

I know several people that switched back to Blockbuster when netflix started all these changes. I wonder if Blockbuster will make a come back?

I would say no, because Netflix did lose some subscribers but not enough for another company to become bigger. Plus Netflix is still signing up new customers everyday.
I would say the only benefit for going with Blockbuster is if you have Dish Network.

I have Blockbuster but I'm still in the DVD age. I really like that I can swap them out in the store. Plus I like the fact that I can just turn the DVD player back on and start from where I left off. Streaming would be ideal but my internet connection with Comcast is so bad.

Streaming picks up from where you left off too. But there aren't enough top tier titles to go streaming alone if you want to get the latest releases.

:iagree:

Blockbuster is amazing IF you have a store near you. the in store exchange is badass... I know, I used to have it.. plus you could get games..

however... since I don't have a store near me, and they are slow to get here.. I went back to netflix

True, a lot of BB stores are closed or closing making the in store exchange difficult. Netflix announced game rentals, but it was going to be under the new name so no one is sure yet if that will happen.

My favorite YTD chart is NFLX. :icon17:

yea. The two stores I worked at when I was in Tucson are still doing good.. but Minot never had a Blockbuster.. sucks..

What.... no more video tapes?!

Boy, someone has got to tell me these things!!!