Netflix shoots itself in the foot... aka no more free streaming

[137th Gebirg]

The sad irony is if they wound up getting bought by Blockbuster, a company that was on life support only a year ago, and now seems to be gaining steam in the wake of Netflix's implosion.

[Star Wolf]

Voice of God wrote:

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So I guess the bottom line here is that Netflix got greedy. Most people joined up for the DVD-by-mail service, and Netflix has been using the profits from that to build up their streaming service. But now, they've pissed off so many customers on both services, they're going to take a loss.

I wonder what was so bad about the DVD service that they opted not to focus on that? It may have more infrastructure requirements (warehouses, shipping, etc.) but at least the costs are predictable. Streaming is going to kill them. The licensing fees they will end up paying are going to wring the life out of the company. It's already happening and will only get worse.

A shame, too, because I like Netflix. They have just made a total clusterfuck of this year.

Was there ever a resolution in $0.17 surcharge that USPS tried to slap on them because the envelope wasn't as machinable as promised?. I think the killer of the DVD service was the $0.56 cost of a round trip not even accounting for the loss of DVDs.

[Robert Maxwell]

Star Wolf wrote:

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Was there ever a resolution in $0.17 surcharge that USPS tried to slap on them because the envelope wasn't as machinable as promised?. I think the killer of the DVD service was the $0.56 cost of a round trip not even accounting for the loss of DVDs.

All I can find are articles about it being threatened, but no confirmation that it was followed through. So I have no idea!

[Brolan]

Some irony right there because if you read the article they explain how they had to raise prices because the streaming rights got more expensive. And yet everyone still assumes they were just being greedy and going for a money grab.

Double irony because all the customers got the streaming for free in the first place and really had no reason to bitch about being asked to finally pay for something they got free. Who were the greedier pigs? The company or the customers?

[Dream]

Streaming should have never been free in the first place.

There I said it.

Netflix costumers are so entitled!

[The Master of Tarquin Hill]

Brolan wrote:

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Some irony right there because if you read the article they explain how they had to raise prices because the streaming rights got more expensive. And yet everyone still assumes they were just being greedy and going for a money grab.

Double irony because all the customers got the streaming for free in the first place and really had no reason to bitch about being asked to finally pay for something they got free. Who were the greedier pigs? The company or the customers?

If they had made a significant streaming content upgrade before they raised the price they would have had an argument. Since raising the price they have made no significant acquisitions.

I don't know why you think I was getting streaming for free before the price went up. I considered it to be be a part of the plan I was paying for every month.

[Immolatus]

The Master of Tarquin Hill wrote:

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If they had made a significant streaming content upgrade before they raised the price they would have had an argument. Since raising the price they have made no significant acquisitions.

I don't know why you think I was getting streaming for free before the price went up. I considered it to be be a part of the plan I was paying for every month.

agreed, if they raised the price a little bit maybe a dollar or two that would have been fine but to double it in these times is bad buisness. the only reason I kept the streaming part was because so many of my electronics have the netflix app and the kids love looking at all the cartoons they have to offer

[Robert Maxwell]

Brolan wrote:

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Some irony right there because if you read the article they explain how they had to raise prices because the streaming rights got more expensive. And yet everyone still assumes they were just being greedy and going for a money grab.

Double irony because all the customers got the streaming for free in the first place and really had no reason to bitch about being asked to finally pay for something they got free. Who were the greedier pigs? The company or the customers?

All I ever had in the first place was the streaming plan, so nothing ever changed for me.

Where Netflix messed up was in bundling the streaming into the DVD plan for, what, an extra buck? They were obviously losing money on that, and they should've taken a page from every other dotcom that tried the "lure them in with something free/cheap, then jack up the price" strategy. It usually ends badly, with a big customer backlash and exodus.

While I think a discount on a bundled plan makes sense, it should be maybe $1-2, not the relatively huge discount DVD customers got with the streaming.

[Star Wolf]

Voice of God wrote:

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All I ever had in the first place was the streaming plan, so nothing ever changed for me.

Where Netflix messed up was in bundling the streaming into the DVD plan for, what, an extra buck? They were obviously losing money on that, and they should've taken a page from every other dotcom that tried the "lure them in with something free/cheap, then jack up the price" strategy. It usually ends badly, with a big customer backlash and exodus.

While I think a discount on a bundled plan makes sense, it should be maybe $1-2, not the relatively huge discount DVD customers got with the streaming.

I think they thought that they had me, the DVD customer hooked on streaming. In that they erred. And from what I can tell they have no advantage over other services for the streaming customer.

So until the local box in the grocery store matches Netflix in library or until I upgrade my computer/entertainment system again they still have me. They just have to pay the USPS for the privilege.

[Robert Maxwell]

Maybe Netflix should start streaming porn. That would bump their subscriber numbers a bit.

[RoJoHen]

Voice of God wrote:

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Maybe Netflix should start streaming porn. That would bump their subscriber numbers a bit.

NetfliXXX. I like it.

[Star Wolf]

Voice of God wrote:

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Maybe Netflix should start streaming porn. That would bump their subscriber numbers a bit.

Its too late. Expect for the small niche must see the specific her customer the mass porn customers can get new girls for free every time they are able to get an erection for life.

Are the porn missionaries getting advertising dollars or do they maintain their sites as an industry service to cut down the price a sex worker can charge?

[Robert Maxwell]

Star Wolf wrote:

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Its too late. Expect for the small niche must see the specific her customer the mass porn customers can get new girls for free every time they are able to get an erection for life.

Are the porn missionaries getting advertising dollars or do they maintain their sites as an industry service to cut down the price a sex worker can charge?

Netflix could license existing professional titles and, if they feel so inclined, perhaps fund some, er... "original content."

As for free porn: you still have to seek it out. If you're already on Netflix, and there's a nice "XXX" tab at the top... well, why wouldn't you use it? They could even recommend videos you might like, based on your viewing history and ratings.

[Skywalker]

It's seriously easy to find free porn on the internet. There are a bajillion websites out there that stream free porn.

Or so I've heard.

[Robert Maxwell]

Lord Vader wrote:

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It's seriously easy to find free porn on the internet. There are a bajillion websites out there that stream free porn.

Or so I've heard.

I dare you to find one that has a huge collection and streams in HD, like Netflix.

My PM box awaits.