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Netflix is still the leader in streaming video but an uncertain future looms
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The following comments relate to this news article:
article published on 4 January, 2012
While many people point to the missteps Netflix made in 2011 as signs of the company's demise, their Watch Instantly service remains far and away the most popular online video platform around.
According to Netflix, they streamed more than 2 billion hours of video to more than 20 million subscribers worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2011. Of course, all that success doesn't come without ... [ read the full article ]
Please read the original article before posting your comments.
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nopcbs
Junior Member
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7. January 2012 @ 20:00 |
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I was paying $12 for 1 DVD at a time + Blu Ray + streaming last year. That was 8 DVD's a month and simulatneous streaming on three TV sets. Now I pay, same service, $6 more ($18). If I wanted 2 Blu Rays at a time, it would be $5 more ($23). That's $1.80 a Blue Ray (one at a time) and free streaming or $1.15 a Blue Ray and free streaming for the two at a time package. Red Box charges $1.50 per Blue Ray, and no streaming of course (I use them as the low cost competition DVD option). Who can match that package price? No one. And I get excellent HD streaming quality (58" Panasonic plasma) with Charter (yeah, Charter!).
The people who are whining about the price having be lower before are missing reality. We were getting a ridiculously good deal before that was not sustainable. Now we are just getting just an excellent (and still the best value) deal and some people feel cheated? When you supermarket runs a buy one get one free promotion for a week on soap, do you feel ripped off the following week when the promotion is over and you have to pay the normal price? BK had free fries one day last December. Did you feel ripped off the nest day when they were a dollar? Dominos was doing half off on all Pizzas last month for a day. Did you feel ripped off when they went back to full price?
I was PO'd at Netflix, too, when they raised their prices, but after thinking about how much bang for the buck they are still offering, I had to say to myself, "Dude, what are you complaining about? It's still a great price, just not as great." My bigger problem is that Hollywood makes so many bad movies that there is little to bother renting. So, now I do a one month on and three months off on the DVD option. I would keep the DVD option on all the time if there was anything new worth renting, regularly.
- nopcbs
nopcbs
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Senior Member
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7. January 2012 @ 21:11 |
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Originally posted by nopcbs:
I was paying $12 for 1 DVD at a time + Blu Ray + streaming last year. That was 8 DVD's a month and simulatneous streaming on three TV sets. Now I pay, same service, $6 more ($18). If I wanted 2 Blu Rays at a time, it would be $5 more ($23). That's $1.80 a Blue Ray (one at a time) and free streaming or $1.15 a Blue Ray and free streaming for the two at a time package. Red Box charges $1.50 per Blue Ray, and no streaming of course (I use them as the low cost competition DVD option). Who can match that package price? No one. And I get excellent HD streaming quality (58" Panasonic plasma) with Charter (yeah, Charter!).
The people who are whining about the price having be lower before are missing reality. We were getting a ridiculously good deal before that was not sustainable. Now we are just getting just an excellent (and still the best value) deal and some people feel cheated? When you supermarket runs a buy one get one free promotion for a week on soap, do you feel ripped off the following week when the promotion is over and you have to pay the normal price? BK had free fries one day last December. Did you feel ripped off the nest day when they were a dollar? Dominos was doing half off on all Pizzas last month for a day. Did you feel ripped off when they went back to full price?
I was PO'd at Netflix, too, when they raised their prices, but after thinking about how much bang for the buck they are still offering, I had to say to myself, "Dude, what are you complaining about? It's still a great price, just not as great." My bigger problem is that Hollywood makes so many bad movies that there is little to bother renting. So, now I do a one month on and three months off on the DVD option. I would keep the DVD option on all the time if there was anything new worth renting, regularly.
- nopcbs
As I said you are wrong, here is Netflix's current pricing structure straight from Netflix itself.
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nopcbs
Junior Member
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8. January 2012 @ 06:59 |
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Originally posted by Mr-Movies:
Originally posted by nopcbs:
I was paying $12 for 1 DVD at a time + Blu Ray + streaming last year. That was 8 DVD's a month and simulatneous streaming on three TV sets. Now I pay, same service, $6 more ($18). If I wanted 2 Blu Rays at a time, it would be $5 more ($23). That's $1.80 a Blue Ray (one at a time) and free streaming or $1.15 a Blue Ray and free streaming for the two at a time package. Red Box charges $1.50 per Blue Ray, and no streaming of course (I use them as the low cost competition DVD option). Who can match that package price? No one. And I get excellent HD streaming quality (58" Panasonic plasma) with Charter (yeah, Charter!).
The people who are whining about the price having be lower before are missing reality. We were getting a ridiculously good deal before that was not sustainable. Now we are just getting just an excellent (and still the best value) deal and some people feel cheated? When you supermarket runs a buy one get one free promotion for a week on soap, do you feel ripped off the following week when the promotion is over and you have to pay the normal price? BK had free fries one day last December. Did you feel ripped off the nest day when they were a dollar? Dominos was doing half off on all Pizzas last month for a day. Did you feel ripped off when they went back to full price?
I was PO'd at Netflix, too, when they raised their prices, but after thinking about how much bang for the buck they are still offering, I had to say to myself, "Dude, what are you complaining about? It's still a great price, just not as great." My bigger problem is that Hollywood makes so many bad movies that there is little to bother renting. So, now I do a one month on and three months off on the DVD option. I would keep the DVD option on all the time if there was anything new worth renting, regularly.
- nopcbs
As I said you are wrong, here is Netflix's current pricing structure straight from Netflix itself.
YOU just confirmed what I said. You found the same Netflix page that I found and the page says that unlimited streaming + 1 DVD at a time (8 per month, on average for me) + Blu Ray is $18...which is what I have and what I pay.
So how, exactly, am I wrong? I am not. You are wrong. I think you are mis-reading the Netflix rate page.
- nopcbs
nopcbs
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Senior Member
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8. January 2012 @ 12:10 |
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I did not confirm what you are saying. Netflix went from $15++ for three movies unlimited with streaming and now that service is $28++ which isn't quite double but it certainly isn't a $4 spread.
You are wrong!
And on top of that plus their biggest mistake was to split the company.
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nopcbs
Junior Member
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8. January 2012 @ 12:48 |
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last year, pre-fall increase, I was paying $12 for 1 DVD at a time + Blu Ray + unlimited streaming to $6 now for the same thing.
You say that you were paying $15 for three DVD's + unlimited streaming (no Blu Ray) pre-increase last year? That is up to 24 DVD's a month plus streaming for $15. That is riculously cheap. Now you would be paying $24 for that same package...a buck a DVD plus free streaming. Not as cheap, but still cheap for the renatls alone and you can call the streaming "free".
It's still a great deal.
The split was for the reason stated (expansion overseas plans or streaming only) and it was a dumb idea for them to do it in their home market. They backed off, so it is not an issue.
I think the management team starting believing they were some kind of genuises (looking at the share price) and with that came a bit of conceit about what they could get away with, but a price increase was appropriate given the squeeze they were/are getting from the suppliers.
I do not mean to say that Netflix management acted correctly. I do say their product remains a great value, just not quite the screaming bargain it was...and no one else ever was.
nopcbs
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Senior Member
1 product review
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8. January 2012 @ 12:49 |
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Originally posted by nopcbs:
What nickel and diming are you referring to?
If you bothered to look at the read/listen to the original time line I typed/said 2008/9 it was when they were originally setting up to start this whole turd-capade. They hadn't separated their DVDs from their streaming & blurays really hadn't even been offered at all. HD streaming wasn't even in mix at all, just the ability to get 'DVD quality streaming' was the best you get.
The nickel & diming I spoke of was being charged an extra $1 every month other month for basically 9 months in a row for nothing added to the service. That's when I graciously bowed out. Others, like yourself have spoken of Redbox as well & that's all fine, but I'm not going to have my credit card on file with a machine that may very well break down in a redneck neighborhood Wallyworld & an inability to return the thing, then rack up a bill that basically has me buying the POS anyway.
Thus the comment for the Brick & mortar Mom & Pop shops. To which there is one down the street from me who rents DVDs & Blurays, for $1-2 a night. Recent releases & some older stuff, on occasion (because I live in a college town) I can find some fringe stuff and like any other video store they have all the other crap that goes along with frequenting that kind of establishment. But a nice thing about the brick & mortar & that I come & go (and being a have a history) they'll let me slide on occasion with a late fee or they'll hold a movie for me, yada, yada. Something that corporate corn-holers simply don't care about or will do... customer service.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 8. January 2012 @ 12:56
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nopcbs
Junior Member
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8. January 2012 @ 13:01 |
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I did read what you wrote, but could not believe you are complaining about being charged more than you were 4 years ago. Thought you were PO'd about last year's increase.
You are going back to ancient history when the streaming library was much smaller and the whole thing was experimental and not great quality, anyway. You had to buy a Roku box for $100 to even use it. Been there, done that, not interested in going back to that. If you are, dream on.
If your mom/pop stores don't get your credit card number as a requisite to renting you any DVD, I am very surprised. The Red Box devices are connected via wireless internet to central computers. Your credit card number is not stored in it.
Cheers and goodbye. You can have the last word.
- nopcbs
nopcbs
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Senior Member
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8. January 2012 @ 13:06 |
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nopcbs,
Once again you don't want to get it and if you are fine with being raped so be it, but the facts are facts and the increase over the last two years is enormous, so once again people have the right to whine about it as you wish to point out. And I disagree with your great deal theory as does most people who have bailed on Netflix, and that takes a lot these days as people will pay $150/mo for internet phone access.
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AfterDawn Addict
7 product reviews
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8. January 2012 @ 13:43 |
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Just got turned off from the mom & pop stores :p National Treasure! I cannot believe that neither of the two stores in my area have them! National treasure 1 & 2 are huge disney releases. Not having them is a shocker to say the least. Netflix has them... and they deliver them to my door. Redbox currently does not have them. Blockbuster is ~30 miles away :( I miss hollywood video 
To delete, or not to delete. THAT is the question! |
Senior Member
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8. January 2012 @ 14:10 |
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Redbox and BB mostly only carry new releases which is why Netflix has such an appeal. Had Hollywood Video and Blockbuster not killed all of the mom & pop's in my area I would have good alternatives to use, which I did prefer. But that was then unfortunately and those very poor business models ruin it for all of us.
I have National Treasure but not two as it was too horrible to even waste the rental fee on let alone buy it.
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AfterDawn Addict
7 product reviews
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8. January 2012 @ 14:14 |
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I'll admit it wasn't as good as the first, but in MY case, it's worth having :p
By the way, I'm speaking of the blu ray discs. Bet you don't have those... LOL!
To delete, or not to delete. THAT is the question! |
Senior Member
1 product review
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8. January 2012 @ 14:47 |
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Originally posted by nopcbs:
Cheers and goodbye. You can have the last word.
Kinda thought I did have the last word? & if 3 to 4 years ago is ancient history for you then you really are "new".
Not that I really wanted a last word, but then here... what, I sit(?)... It's a little thing I call foreshadowing... you know, thinking about things to come. Without getting wordy, it all boiled down to the smorgasbord of shite sandwiches I wanted to eat from.
Your grandiose Netflix (we see where that went), RedBox (and I just "oh so trust it's wireless capacity & ability to maintain my credit card credentials, so that spiky bug can take a pass on my ass) Blockbuster (which went mammaries skyward in all my townships, so fat chance there) or the aforementioned 4-5 township owned mom & pop stores.
Again, READ! Yes, you saw they I got great deals, you also that they didn't get a credit card, what you didn't bother to COMPREHEND (that's part of that READING thing I was talking/writing about) was that they KNOW me. I live within a block or 2 away. Customer Service! Report, something that is completely lost in American business models anymore (well, pretty much international if you ask me). I haven't given them any reason to distrust me, so I have a good business relationship with them.
I had that with Netflix as well, yet got treated like crap. It seems to me that loosing an estimated 1 million riders & a major movie studio distributor over your arrogance, while the hits just keep coming!
Oh hell, who am I... best deal in town...
We all know who won.
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Senior Member
1 product review
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8. January 2012 @ 14:50 |
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Originally posted by omegaman7:
Just got turned off from the mom & pop stores :p National Treasure! I cannot believe that neither of the two stores in my area have them! National treasure 1 & 2 are huge disney releases. Not having them is a shocker to say the least. Netflix has them... and they deliver them to my door. Redbox currently does not have them. Blockbuster is ~30 miles away :( I miss hollywood video
Kinda the cool thing about the place I deal with... if they can't seem to get it through whatever channels... they just run down to the local outlet & buy the thing off the shelf.
Some times it really is nice to live in these back woods towns.
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AfterDawn Addict
7 product reviews
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8. January 2012 @ 15:01 |
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Lucky you :) Oh well. I'm patient. At least I can generally count on netflix. They've let me down a few times, but most of the time they're good to me.
To delete, or not to delete. THAT is the question! |
Senior Member
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8. January 2012 @ 21:43 |
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Originally posted by LordRuss:
Originally posted by nopcbs:
Cheers and goodbye. You can have the last word.
Kinda thought I did have the last word? & if 3 to 4 years ago is ancient history for you then you really are "new".
I never said that anyway Russ he totally wasn't wanting to see reality. In fact it was a little more than 6 months ago that they changed the pricing model but for me it was almost two years ago since I used them last. I would call him circle boy because he couldn't admit he was wrong so he wanted to continue to change the argument to avoid the facts, not so uncommon here these days.
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Senior Member
1 product review
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9. January 2012 @ 10:24 |
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Originally posted by Mr-Movies:
I never said that anyway Russ he totally wasn't wanting to see reality. In fact it was a little more than 6 months ago that they changed the pricing model but for me it was almost two years ago since I used them last.
OOoooo... That's completely different (if I can borrow from an old SNL skit). I wasn't trying to stomp all over anyone else's toes or even nopcbs'. Just juxtaposing what I thought to be facts concerning 'my' experiences. It just seemed that a million others might have felt similar. It certainly doesn't mean that another 3 million didn't share the sentiment. (but 1 million sure is a lot of people).
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 9. January 2012 @ 10:26
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Bozobub
Senior Member
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9. January 2012 @ 12:55 |
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The bottom line for me is that Netflix basically kissed customer service goodbye. Sure, I could have kept streaming only, and actually would have seen a reduction in cost, but their terrible missteps, obnoxiously arrogant tone of their CEO, and lastly, the sudden removal of the capability to stream to multiple devices unless you have a DVD-by-mail plan, spelled doom for their tentacles in my pocket.
I don't care how nice your product is, if you treat me like poo. Maybe I'm just getting old.
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Senior Member
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9. January 2012 @ 13:56 |
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Actually their customer service has gotten better from my experience(s) and I've used them a few times recently when signing up again.
But I agree with you Bozobub the CEO's arrogance and like I said almost doubling the price of doing business with them, which I think you are touching on, killed it for most people. But splitting the company was huge too.
I'm back with them because they didn't split the company, Even though I don't need their poor streaming, although for free it was good to preview movies for rent, and they do have more to offer in movies than anyone else at the moment.
As soon as another company comes along that can beat or compete with Netflix I will drop them cold and move on. Blockbuster and Redbox can't even come close but if all I wanted was New Releases then maybe they would suffice.
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