Now it becomes clear why they did this. The DVD business is becoming its own Business Unit and getting its own separate website. http://qwikster.com
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Netflix splitting DVD rental and streaming services
- Thread starter Doctor Q
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First time poster !
I'm in the uk so we don't get netflix but I'm going to get an apple tv soon and was awaiting them to launch over here. I actually thought they would buy the uk version of them but Amazon beat them to it
I feel they have done this for two reasons
1) it's easier and makes more sense to launch internationally as a streaming only company as Theres no need to develop a logistics set up for physical media
2) maybe just maybe there in the process of being brought ! Apple might be buying them or Microsoft or Amazon (you know the usual suspects) but they don't want the physical side of it so the owner gets rich off the sale and has a steady income supplementing the DVD decline with gaming
My 2p worth
I'm in the uk so we don't get netflix but I'm going to get an apple tv soon and was awaiting them to launch over here. I actually thought they would buy the uk version of them but Amazon beat them to it
I feel they have done this for two reasons
1) it's easier and makes more sense to launch internationally as a streaming only company as Theres no need to develop a logistics set up for physical media
2) maybe just maybe there in the process of being brought ! Apple might be buying them or Microsoft or Amazon (you know the usual suspects) but they don't want the physical side of it so the owner gets rich off the sale and has a steady income supplementing the DVD decline with gaming
My 2p worth
I wasn't thrilled with the price increase, but accepted it as part of the nature of business over time.
But this is kind of ridiculous - it would be one thing if Netflix had the rights to stream shows from HBO (never going to happen), first run movies, or even a decent back catalog of streaming shows that were made available as soon as the DVDs were released. But given that they don't have this and even Starz just backed out on them, what's the use of their streaming if all they offer is ancient TV shows and B-grade movies? There's only so many documentaries a person can take in before variety becomes necessary
Plus - I could manage two queues from a single login, now I've got to manage each from it's own?
It seems like Netflix is becoming a fish out of water - this would be an opportune moment for Amazon to strike hard and fast or Apple to lower its prices.
But this is kind of ridiculous - it would be one thing if Netflix had the rights to stream shows from HBO (never going to happen), first run movies, or even a decent back catalog of streaming shows that were made available as soon as the DVDs were released. But given that they don't have this and even Starz just backed out on them, what's the use of their streaming if all they offer is ancient TV shows and B-grade movies? There's only so many documentaries a person can take in before variety becomes necessary
Plus - I could manage two queues from a single login, now I've got to manage each from it's own?
It seems like Netflix is becoming a fish out of water - this would be an opportune moment for Amazon to strike hard and fast or Apple to lower its prices.
I wasn't thrilled with the price increase, but accepted it as part of the nature of business over time.
But this is kind of ridiculous - it would be one thing if Netflix had the rights to stream shows from HBO (never going to happen), first run movies, or even a decent back catalog of streaming shows that were made available as soon as the DVDs were released. But given that they don't have this and even Starz just backed out on them, what's the use of their streaming if all they offer is ancient TV shows and B-grade movies? There's only so many documentaries a person can take in before variety becomes necessary
Plus - I could manage two queues from a single login, now I've got to manage each from it's own?
It seems like Netflix is becoming a fish out of water - this would be an opportune moment for Amazon to strike hard and fast or Apple to lower its prices.
I agree Amazon could strike pretty hard if they could get themselves onto set top boxs like Netflix.
By that I mean working in DVD players, TV, PS3, 360 ect. Right now to play Amazon streaming on the TV it still requires some work arounds. Heck it would be very nice if Amazon could stream to cell phones. If they pulled that off they could do some real damage.
Exactly right. I have wanted to try Amazon streaming but it doesn't work on anything I have apple:TV, 
TV2, LG bluRay player, WDTV Live+). I refuse to go buy yet another new streamer just so that I can check out what Amazon has to offer.
apple:TV, TV2, LG bluRay player, WDTV Live+). I refuse to go buy yet another new streamer just so that I can check out what Amazon has to offer.
The whole streaming thing is so messed up and fragmented. You can use Netflix, which works on lots of devices, but it has old or crummy content. You can get Hulu but it doesn't stream all its stuff to mobile (like iPhone) and it doesn't work on Apple TV. You can get Amazon Prime, but it doesn't stream to Apple TV.
If there could just be one service that had movies like Netflix (but with better content), TV shows like Hulu, and worked with all the devices, it would get the market. Even if it meant charging $19.99 or $24.99 a month, if it worked with every device (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, PC, MAC, Xbox, PS3, etc.) all the time and had reasonably good content it would capture the market and make life a lot easier.
If there could just be one service that had movies like Netflix (but with better content), TV shows like Hulu, and worked with all the devices, it would get the market. Even if it meant charging $19.99 or $24.99 a month, if it worked with every device (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, PC, MAC, Xbox, PS3, etc.) all the time and had reasonably good content it would capture the market and make life a lot easier.
I really question the business logic behind splitting the two services. I love how I can track both my DVD/Blu queue along with streaming queue on the same web site.
It's like Netflix wants to kill off the DVD/Blu queue.
How many more users are they going to lose?
It's like Netflix wants to kill off the DVD/Blu queue.
How many more users are they going to lose?
From the announcement "... websites will not be integrated".
At least now you know if the movie is available for instant viewing. If you have both plans you'll need to check both sites ... moronic idea!
I don't know why, but maybe they are just testing to see if this will work this way better also they might just want to kill the DVD/Bluray queue, who knows only the future will show if this was a smart business move or a fail.
I've had enough of netflix's identity crisis, maybe I'll get back with them when they figure out what they want to be. I'll explore Amazon and Hulu and see what else is out there in the time being, and try to find an alternative source of DVDs. I didn't feel that there was any other way to express my serious displeasure with their recent changes, particularly splitting the service between Qwikster (wtf is with that name?!) and streaming. Customer since 2005...
I'll explore Amazon and Hulu and see what else is out there in the time being, and try to find an alternative source of DVDs. I didn't feel that there was any other way to express my serious displeasure with their recent changes, particularly splitting the service between Qwikster (wtf is with that name?!) and streaming. Customer since 2005...Attachments
I kept the NF streaming and dropped the DVD part to switch to blockbuster, a few bucks more but I can trade instore and get ps3 games and foster some competition, obviously NF now thinks they're bulletproof.. cool right?
I am almost on the end of my 30 day trial and finally had to pick a movie I didnt want because all the ones I did want have a very long wait or not available. It took a day longer to get it (muh) Mailed it back on the 12th and they still havent recieved it. I reported it lost and they will send me the next movie I dont want.
All my local stores have been closed
Games suck because you have spend like 15 min downloading a bunch of content for a game you will only have for a few days, not worth the effort
The biggest pain in the a@@ was having to go between the two sites. I was about to switch back to NF but now....
I am almost on the end of my 30 day trial and finally had to pick a movie I didnt want because all the ones I did want have a very long wait or not available. It took a day longer to get it (muh) Mailed it back on the 12th and they still havent recieved it. I reported it lost and they will send me the next movie I dont want.
All my local stores have been closed
Games suck because you have spend like 15 min downloading a bunch of content for a game you will only have for a few days, not worth the effort
The biggest pain in the a@@ was having to go between the two sites. I was about to switch back to NF but now....
Qwikster sounds like they are trying to create a whole new entity to sell ofF to the highest bidder. Separate login, separate service and separate billing hmm. Wouldn't be surprised if its sold in the next year to an upstart, blockbuster or killed off. Just seems like they are positioning it in that way.
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I canceled my service this morning after reading the CEO's apology. What a tool!
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Steve? Steve, are you listening? This is your next 10 billion dollar idea!
I kept the NF streaming and dropped the DVD part to switch to blockbuster, a few bucks more but I can trade instore and get ps3 games and foster some competition, obviously NF now thinks they're bulletproof.. cool right?
I am almost on the end of my 30 day trial and finally had to pick a movie I didnt want because all the ones I did want have a very long wait or not available. It took a day longer to get it (muh) Mailed it back on the 12th and they still havent recieved it. I reported it lost and they will send me the next movie I dont want.
All my local stores have been closed
Games suck because you have spend like 15 min downloading a bunch of content for a game you will only have for a few days, not worth the effort
The biggest pain in the a@@ was having to go between the two sites. I was about to switch back to NF but now....
This, what a crock of ****. This might be the start of the end for Netflix. Sorry, netflix is so entrenched with the name, I don't know how this new company will catch on.
Even if we accepted the split as a good idea, it seems crazy to abandon the name everyone knows for the traditional DVD service and migrate the name "Netflix" to the streaming side. But maybe it makes sense because of all the set-top devices that offer "Netflix integration", meaning access to the streaming service.
But not being able to search on a movie name, see which services offer it, and then put it in one of your two queues is a huge inconvenience to customers who pay the price increase and stick with both services. Somebody needs to write front-end software to re-integrate them.
This is ironic: Which of their two services will be slower to get you movies? Why the one named Qwik, of course.
The new website:
But not being able to search on a movie name, see which services offer it, and then put it in one of your two queues is a huge inconvenience to customers who pay the price increase and stick with both services. Somebody needs to write front-end software to re-integrate them.
This is ironic: Which of their two services will be slower to get you movies? Why the one named Qwik, of course.
The new website:
I dropped Netflix DVDs at the end of August, keeping streaming for now, but may drop that too. I watch so few rental DVDs, I'm considering alternates, including pay per view from my cable company.
Exactly what I was thinking. If you want a title and can't find it on one you have to search the other. How does that make it better and save people time?
Does anyone else find it strange that other streaming services are able to get real content from actual content providers (Vudu, Amazon, Apple) and have relatively reasonable pricing?
What is it that they can do that Netflix can't (or wont) do ?
I have to really wonder if Netflix is not just arrogant and dumb but just don't care about customers and are only concerned about their stock options (which seem to be dwindling by the day), and that is the only reason their CEO is basically just saying "yah I was arrogant, I am still arrogant and I don't care if you think I am and to prove it i am cutting my business in half to cut costs".
What is it that they can do that Netflix can't (or wont) do ?
I have to really wonder if Netflix is not just arrogant and dumb but just don't care about customers and are only concerned about their stock options (which seem to be dwindling by the day), and that is the only reason their CEO is basically just saying "yah I was arrogant, I am still arrogant and I don't care if you think I am and to prove it i am cutting my business in half to cut costs".
Qwikster?! What kind of name is that?! Urgh! When I read this earlier, I read it quickly. Didn't seem like a big deal. Rereading it though, I realize what a mess this is. Unless netflix can somehow manage to get better streaming content (it's all total rubbish now anyway, but is ok between disks), maybe a contract to stream live major sporting events, I don't see how this is a good idea.
Yeah. Maybe they should have named it Claris.We all know what happens when a company spins off divisions...
Most of these services charge $2-4 per video with a fairly limited timetable / viewing architecture. Netflix gives you a month of unlimited content on devices and computers for $8 (under the new pricing plan). It's not strange -- it's just the fee structure. I'm having trouble finding a specific number, but I'm pretty sure that Netflix users watch more than 2-3 movies a month on average. Studies have suggested that Netflix alone constitutes some 15-30% of incoming internet traffic into residences.
If Netflix's streaming package offered you two or three movies a month for $8, instead of as many as you want, I think they would have a lot more content.
Hah, it could be worse. It could be OS/2 for Windows, quite possibly the most confusing product launch in the history of computers.
I would actually pay a premium for certain content from Netflix. Right now I will either buy a DVD and rip it (very rare any more, stupid copy protection garbage). Or becoming more common, I will just buy it in iTunes, or rent certain new release A-List movies for a few bucks. I'm willing to pay that $2-4 range for that kind of stuff. And in certain cases I would LOVE to have the opportunity to be able to rent movies in theaters, a-la-payperview. I think there is a market out there for people to pay $30-50 to rent a just released movie. They would invite over some friends and all split the bill. It would be akin to a boxing or wrestlemania event.
What I'm saying is I think they should tier it all. Netlflix, just make those deals happen with HBO, Stars, etc. I'll still pay the $8-$20 for unlimited insta-watch of older A-list/mediocre content, and bill me when I want to rent Rio or Thor or Transformers 3 just out on DVD. Just throw it on my monthly charge. I get instant gratification, the ability to watch A-list from my living room. You still make money NF and movie industry. If I truly want to "own" it, I'll still get it on iTunes.
Win-win...