Netflix reports first drop in subscriptions

[MozartMan]

Netflix reports first drop in subscriptions (thanks to Blockbuster )

Netflix Inc., the largest online DVD rental company, on Monday reported its first-ever quarterly drop in subscriptions and cut forecasts for subscribers, revenue and profit for the year in the face of fierce competition from Blockbuster Inc.
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Chief Financial Officer Barry McCarthy told analysts on a conference call that Wall Street estimates for fiscal 2008 earnings growth were "excessively optimistic."
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Netflix has spent the last six months fending off a rising challenge from Blockbuster, which said it will spend $170 million this year to promote its Total Access plan. That allows subscribers to swap DVDs rented online at its stores for free and has become a powerful competitor to Netflix.

http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv...37505820070724

[shadowmoon]

Funny how this happens a few weeks after BB's move to support only BD

[mike79]

got me to switch. Now that I can get pretty much any title at my local blockbuster.

[Goodguy818]

i switched to Blockbuster after 3 years using Netflix, love the fact i can trade in store now. Netflix has also lowered their prices $1 on most plans too.

[clyon]

Netflix stock was downgraded to 'hold' today & down 12% today

http://www.newratings.com/analyst_ne...e_1576273.html

[LynxFX]

Hopefully they bounce back because they have been great with Blu-ray. Plenty of stock and pretty much any movie.

[Zaphod]

I've never done any of the online rental subscriptions for movies. Right now, which is the better way to go? Netflix or Blockbuster?

[leftykt]

Blockbuster of course. You'll 3 movies in the mail. Return those 3 to your local Blockbuster store and pick out 3 movies in the store while 3 more will be ship to you in the mail. You can't do that with Netflix.

[ra1024]

It's kinda funny to hear that after all the HD DVD fanboys made it sound like BB was nothing in the rental business and Netflix was the king.

[RedIsNotBlue]

Originally Posted by leftykt

Blockbuster of course. You'll 3 movies in the mail. Return those 3 to your local Blockbuster store and pick out 3 movies in the store while 3 more will be ship to you in the mail. You can't do that with Netflix.

Yeah Blu-Ray aside Blockbuster just offers the overall better subscription.

[shock_terminal]

Better is subjective.
If your like me and don't like to go to the store at all then the Netflix On-Demand like streaming service is way more usefull.

[goku3]

Originally Posted by shock_terminal

Better is subjective.
If your like me and don't like to go to the store at all then the Netflix On-Demand like streaming service is way more usefull.

But I don't think you will be able to dowload any high-def movies. Just imagine trying to dowload a 1080p movie with PCM audio.

[shock_terminal]

Not download, stream. And no, they aren't high def yet. They look better then DVDs though.

And to take use of the trade in at BB there aren't that manny Blu-ray s out yet, you will be renting DVDs most likely.

[monkyman]

I use Netflix and i'm happy with it. The "local" blockbuster for me is still quite a way away from me.

[coolmilo]

Excellent, the more of you who move over to Block Buster means that I will receive Blu-ray movies from Netflix that much faster.

Netflix also announced a subscription decrease yesterday.

[Blu Tiger]

Originally Posted by shock_terminal

Not download, stream. And no, they aren't high def yet. They look better then DVDs though.

I think you mean Full HD, if they are better than DVDs which are 480p, then they are at least 720p which is high def. Still, only 1080p will do for me now.

[CptGreedle]

Heck, Apple says they are going to have all their content in 720, but i still don't think any of it is. I hope Netflix does cause that would be cool to rent via streaming... as long as I can do it with my PS3 :\

I really rather watch my rentals on my tv, not computer.

[shock_terminal]

Originally Posted by Blu Tiger

I think you mean Full HD, if they are better than DVDs which are 480p, then they are at least 720p which is high def. Still, only 1080p will do for me now.

It looks like a Uprezed DVD really. not 720p.
I'm a snob, ok. I like excelent picture quality. But I also like movies, I'm not going to not watch movies just cause I can't have 1080p. Do you watch Satalite/Cable HD? It's only 1080i at best. I also don't just watch new releases, I still like old movies (you know that middle section of the store that nobody looks at?) I enjoy being able to click a button and watch "Johny Dangerously" without having to leave the house.

In terms of takeing full advantage of the BB deal there is no way your renting all Blu-rays unless your renting the same movies over and over again. Or your not trading them in that offten, and then why bother.

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

I really rather watch my rentals on my tv, not computer.

This is why I've had a PC in my living room, and to play all my MP3s I've ripped and various other media.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by ra1024

It's kinda funny to hear that after all the HD DVD fanboys made it sound like BB was nothing in the rental business and Netflix was the king.

I was thinking the same thing.

Stock dropped 25% from a few days ago, before recovering a bit.

Gary

[Zvi]

I still want netflix to stay successfull and be a serious challenge for blockbuster. BB were real bastards few years ago b4 netflix came up.