Showtime and Netflix Part Ways

[Scout101]

I've already got HBO that I don't take enough advantage of (although looking forward to Game of Thrones), sure as hell not adding Showtime. Especially for one show, because with what it costs to add, it's MUCH cheaper to buy the DVD of the season than to pay year-round to wait.

And since I'm only on Season 1 right now anyway, all this does is turn me off. They aren't going to catch me up without a streaming/rental option anyway, and no incentive to jump in this late, so I'm either going to find another way to watch it (which they won't get money off of me for), or forget it and just watch another show.

They're turning down the money I was going to give them (through Netflix), and giving me less than zero reason to subscribe to their channel, so tough cookies for them, I guess. Bad decision, IMO...

 

[Amaris]

There are some subscription companies, and apparently Showtime is one of them, that are desperately trying to hold onto a business model that is changing rapidly right out from underneath them. So what's the thing to do? Panic decisions.

 

[Scout101]

You should absolutely panic, withdraw from current/popular technology and trends, and attempt to fall back to an older business model. Then sue your customers when possible. Worked great for the music industry!

 

[cylkoth]

I only watched the first handfull of season 1 episodes, and the wife and I were enjoying it. If it's being pulled from streaming (and possibly disc as well), pretty much forces me towards either quitting the show or finding it another way.

If they want to limit the availability of their product, that's fine, but if I try to pay for it and they take it away, well, that's on them IMO.

Netflix will continue to have dvds of those shows, it's the streaming rights that Showtime is terminating. NF now has 20 million subscribers, which puts them second to Comcast, and the pay channels and studios-one in the same as far as Showtime/CBS-Paramount and HBO/Time Warner are concerned, now see the formerly, quaint little dvd rental by mail company transform into a massive money making behemoth in a few short years as a competitor encroaching on their turf. And they think targeting them by refusing to make streaming deals, or charging insane prices, will put them in a position to better push NF, and everybody else around.

 

[Skywalker]

That's fine, just as long as they realize they're on the wrong side of history. Give it a couple years and they'll be back.

 

[Scout101]

yeah, good luck with that. Streaming Netflix is my primary method of catching up on old tv shows, though, as it's not tied to having to watch a disc quickly and return it. can watch whatever I want, and on my schedule. 1 episode or half a season.

If they want to make it harder to get into their product, that's their choice, but it's a bad one. Like music companies announcing that they're going back to CDs only (or even Records) to avoid having to pay iTunes. Losing customers, acting backwards with popular viewing methods, and only hurting themselves...

 

[Amaris]

You should absolutely panic, withdraw from current/popular technology and trends, and attempt to fall back to an older business model. Then sue your customers when possible. Worked great for the music industry!

You're right, and that's just what I'm going to do!

[replaces all custom computer systems with Packard Bells and tells everyone they're the biggest thing since the Lindy Hop]

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Showtime should be more concerned with the fact that Dexter's premise is running out of steam and the rest of their lineup is lame. What are they going to do in two years when the Dexter producers pack it in?

 

[bigdaddy]

Showtime should be more concerned with the fact that Dexter's premise is running out of steam and the rest of their lineup is lame. What are they going to do in two years when the Dexter producers pack it in?

I somewhat agree.

Have you watched The Big C / The C Word? It's a fantastic show. However after the 13 episodes in season one I have no need to watch a second season. Season 1 ends perfectly and the show can only go on so long before she has to die.

Everything else is crap, or mainly crap. Calaforniation has it's moments but should end within 1-2 seasons. They are really out of ideas..

 

[JD]

I've been watching Tudors and L Word via netflix streaming so this really pisses me off. I've been really enjoying the fact that they had been putting their shows up, and I don't know if I'll even bother starting any more. I might continue with Tudors and Californication on disc but I think that's it.
I'm pretty sure this will probably also hurt their DVD sales too, because when I ran out of streaming episodes of Weeds a couple years ago, back when all they had were the first two seasons, I ran out and got season 3 and then 4 and 5 on DVD because I didn't want to wait for the streaming. And I'm probably not the only who has done something like this.
I've got to agree about the quality of stuff on ST too. I don't think I'm even going to continue with Weeds on DVD after I finish the 5th season. Even though I absolutely loved the first 4 seasons, I haven't really cared for much of S5 and from what I've read about S6 it sounds even worse. And the only other shows currently on the network that even interest me are Dexter (which I've been doing on DVD) and United States of Tara.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I can see it, I've certainly considered dropping my Starz subscription since Netflix has the shows anyway.

 

[OsmiumJohnnycake]

Are there any figures out there that show the amount Showtime makes off direct subscriptions for Dexter (not sure how they divvy the Showtime subscription amount up between original shows and movies they air) versus how much they are compensated by Netflix for Dexter?

Or any figures on how many people have dropped Showtime since Netflix has picked up steam?

 

[darthraidr]

cant say i care. i've always thought the showtime shows were very weak (granted i've only seen the Tudors, Californication and Weeds). Showtime shows just feel like cheap versions of HBO shows. The shows try sooo hard to be edgy.

also, i'm in the camp of, it's cheaper just to buy the dvds of the shows than subscribe. but hey, at least i have a cool dvd collection of awesome HBO shows (The Wire, Deadwood, Band of Brothers, The Pacific, Curb Your Enthusiasm).

 

[JD]

I'm even more confused by this now. I was on the Showtime site last night and they have one episode of each of their shows on there for free (including Shameless and Episodes which I plan to check out later. I know I said wasn't going to watch anymore of their stuff, but I changed my mind, so sue me.)

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Have you watched The Big C / The C Word? It's a fantastic show.

Thanks, I'll check that out. I was kinda wondering about it...

 

[IndyJones]

I can see it, I've certainly considered dropping my Starz subscription since Netflix has the shows anyway.

Careful though, Starz has announced that they're going to start delaying the posting of their material to Netflix by three months from airdate.

I don't like that (was looking forward to checking out Torchwood), but I can undertand it. Who would subscribe to Starz for $10 a month when they could get the same content at the same time on Netflix for $8?

 

[bigdaddy]

Have you watched The Big C / The C Word? It's a fantastic show.

Thanks, I'll check that out. I was kinda wondering about it...

It was the best new show of 2010. If you know me I'm picky of everything and it just is wonderful. However I can't stand the husband the first 7 or so episodes, so just hang in there, he is the weak link of the show.

It's funny, insane, goofy, yet realish and warm and caring.

 

[Starbreaker]

The Big C was definitely the best thing on TV last year.