Netflix Turns Focus Back to Disc

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by mredman

It sadly says that this service is only available for US customers.

Oh sorry, that is true and AFAIK has always been that way.

FWIW department, Redbox has expanded into Canada, not sure what their international plans are.

[raygendreau]

From the Home Media Magazine article in the original post in this thread:

"Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos — who credits disc for helping Netflix make its foray into streaming — says the subscription rental service plans to turn its focus back to physical distribution"

Now, listen to Sarandos tell you (in the first two minutes of the video) what they were really doing "on the inside" in 2011.:

Netflix's Ted Sarandos - Keynote Address | 2013 Film Independent Forum - YouTube

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by raygendreau

Now, listen to Sarandos tell you (in the first two minutes of the video) what they were really doing "on the inside" in 2011.

IMO, most everyone with a pea brain knows Netflix started up with the intent to become a streaming company, hence the name: Netflix. What they did not count on was their disc rental business being run over by a Redbox train and the high cost of licensing content for streaming.

You really need to get past the continuous streaming post, several members have already expressed their dislike for such post on a site that is all about physical HD media. At this point it looks just like trolling by you to most folks here. Could be time for the mods to step in. Would you like to become a member of the banned club?

[blonde_devil]

Originally Posted by rickah88

@ Wendell

Great point. I like how some, on this forum, keep tooting that streaming will end physical media. Why does something always have to "win out"?
As far as I know, streaming and physical media have coexisted(now there's an interesting word), quite nicely for the better part of a decade.

I have found this to be very unique to the entertainment industry and mostly to movies. With music, there was coexistance - records and tapes, tapes and cd, now cd and mp3. Outside of entertainment, it is a way of life - pc vs mac, iPhone vs Android, Coke vs Pepsi ... Yet when it comes to home video, there always seems the need to have 1 format and only 1 format. VHS and Beta fought it out and VHS had a lond reigh on top. Then came dvd and while they coexited for a while, within a few years dvd took over. Then came the HDDVD/Bluray war and again we had to have one winner. Even now, dvd only still exists because bluray players will play it - remove that function and dvd would fade away quickly. It is really weird how we tend to have one format that dominates even if there are comparible ones out there that could be used instead. Why not be like cel phones and create a standard that is the bare minimum you can have and then see what happens? An iPhone can call a Blackberry even though they are totally different phones, why can't we have something similar here?

[Tok]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

I’ve always thought of SVOD streaming services as another form of cable, satellite or telco video service. Read Hastings has said on several occasions the goal of Netflix streaming was to be the next HBO. Physical media has coexisted with MVPDs for many years, streaming simply adds another option for content. As such, it is a competitor to MVPDs, not physical media.

IMO, the anti streaming sentiment can be traced back to the HD DVD supporters that hated anything Blu-ray. I well remember when Warner announced exclusive support for Blu-ray many of the HD DVD supporters immediately pronounced streaming was the future. So the next time you see someone proclaiming streaming is the future and physical media is dead will indicate to you the person really does not understand streaming services, physical media and MVPDs. Also, search their posting history, don’t be surprised if you find they were big HD DVD supporters at some point in time.

The other side: some of the most vocal HD DVD supporters became (and remains) some of the most vocal Blu-ray supporters. My/our late friend Kosty (Kostyshak, Daniel) was one such person (man, I still miss you).

I feel the same way. I think a lot of this pro-streaming rhetoric is coming from those that were on the wrong side of format war. And the rest of it is coming from those that have a vested interest in streaming becoming the predominate delivery method. IOW, trolling at a site that is dedicated to the current best delivery method.

Even if 4K/UHD becomes a streaming option do Netflix subscribers really believe they will still get access to that content as part of $7-$9/month plans.

The studios are not going to license 4K content to Netflix without a significant premium. The days of one low price gets you access to everything under the sun at Netflix will be coming to an end.

You want 4K content open up your wallet.

[The_Donster]

So because someone doesn't agree with your train of thought they are considered a troll? If that is the case both sides are being trolls and beating the subject to death at this point. I have no vested interest outside of being a satisfied customer with my streaming services. Which is why I don't understand why the two can't co-exist for the points blonde_devil made. Why does it have to be one or another? I like movies as much as the next member, I just don't have to have all of them in my BD library to appreciate them.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by The_Donster

So because someone doesn't agree with your train of thought they are considered a troll? If that is the case both sides are being trolls and beating the subject to death at this point. I have no vested interest outside of being a satisfied customer with my streaming services. Which is why I don't understand why the two can't co-exist for the points blonde_devil made. Why does it have to be one or another? I like movies as much as the next member, I just don't have to have all of them in my BD library to appreciate them.

But that's you. If you're willing to miss out on picture quality that is your choice. There is no denying though, bluray enhances a film or tv show in a way streaming cannot and probably never will. Take the tv series Hannibal for example. It looks so slick on bluray and that enhances the locations and the mood no end. It's a different experience watching DVD lite (streaming)
I wouldn't spite myself by missing out on films/tv that are on dvd/streaming but I know it could never replace bluray in my home cinema. Whenever I watch anything via streaming it always feels like I am flying economy class.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

But that's you. If your willing to miss out on picture quality that is your choice. There is no denying though, bluray enhances a film or tv show in a way streaming cannot and probably never will. Take the tv series Hannibal for example. It looks so slick on bluray and that enhances the locations and the mood no end. It's a different experience watching DVD lite (streaming)
I wouldn't spite myself by missing out on films/tv that are on dvd/streaming but I know it could never replace bluray in my home cinema. Whenever I watch anything via streaming it always feels like I am flying economy class.

Yes and no. Digital cable is arguably streaming of a sort. Comcast OnDemand is clearly streaming. And while neither are of BD quality they can get pretty close at times.

They're certainly close enough that I don't mind watching Game of Thrones or True Blood or Dexter or Homeland during their broadcast seasons rather than waiting for the BDs. I watch a lot of shows via cable/OnDemand and I have several of them on BD and the differences aren't always that stark.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by octagon

Yes and no. Digital cable is arguably streaming of a sort. Comcast OnDemand is clearly streaming. And while neither are of BD quality they can get pretty close at times.

They're certainly close enough that I don't mind watching Game of Thrones or True Blood or Dexter or Homeland during their broadcast seasons rather than waiting for the BDs. I watch a lot of shows via cable/OnDemand and I have several of them on BD and the differences aren't always that stark.

Not minding is different from fully appreciating though. I have SkY HD and that looks fine IMO, but it ain't bluray.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Not minding is different from fully appreciating though. I have SkY HD and that looks fine IMO, but it ain't bluray.

Watching Veep or True Blood via OnDemand and watching Veep or True Blood on BD are not different experiences. OnDemand isn't BD but it's not DVD Lite either.

It's much, much closer to BD than to DVD.

The differences are also sufficiently modest as to undercut the belief that streaming could never ever possibly catch up to BD. Some forms of streaming are already pretty close. Closing the remaining gap is not inconceivable.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by octagon

Watching Veep or True Blood via OnDemand and watching Veep or True Blood on BD are not different experiences. OnDemand isn't BD but it's not DVD Lite either.

It's much, much closer to BD than to DVD.

The differences are also sufficiently modest as to undercut the belief that streaming could never ever possibly catch up to BD. Some forms of streaming are already pretty close. Closing the remaining gap is not inconceivable.

Some people said that about 1080p Itunes. The truth (in my opinion) is very different. Maybe streaming will catch up to bluray when it offers 4k. The irony is not lost on me.

[raygendreau]

[QUOTE=Wendell R. Breland;8716850]IMO, most everyone with a pea brain knows Netflix started up with the intent to become a streaming company, hence the name: Netflix. What they did not count on was their disc rental business being run over by a Redbox train and the high cost of licensing content for streaming.

You really need to get past the continuous streaming post, several members have already expressed their dislike for such post on a site that is all about physical HD media. At this point it looks just like trolling by you to most folks here. Could be time for the mods to step in. Would you like to become a member of the banned club?[/QUOTE]

I know what the thread is about, Wendell. I started posting in it July 12, 2011.
"How about you? https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...&postcount=108

Netflix doesn't care about Red Box disc rental. They will be closely following Red Box and others entry into the streaming market in the hopes of successfully implementing the Netflix business model.

Perhaps you should consider editing the portions of your post that I have placed in bold. You are violating forum rules:

"By agreeing to these rules, you warrant that you will not post any messages that are obscene, vulgar, sexually-oriented, hateful, threatening, or otherwise violative of any laws."

[raygendreau]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Click here for details. If you are a streaming member go to your Account and you can add a disc plan. They may let you sign-up for the first month for free.

Netflix international business plan is streaming only. They will never offer disc by mail. Not in Europe nor Canada. They financed international streaming with the income from their U.S. physical disc business.

[Wendell R. Breland]

[quote=raygendreau;8719883]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Netflix doesn't care about Red Box disc rental.

As I stated earlier, in several SEC fillings Netflix made reference to Redbox and how it could impact their business. It did impact their business in a huge way. But that is now history and there is no going back.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by raygendreau

I know what the thread is about, Wendell. I started posting in it July 12, 2011.

General rules

• No trolling.
• Don't threadcrap. In other words don't go into a thread about golfing and post "golf sucks" etc. It's unconstructive and it insults people who like golf.
• If you can't contribute anything positive to the thread don't respond at all - just report the post if you think it should be reported.
• If your only purpose on this forum is to question Blu-ray as a format and bringing negativity to the forum, then you are not welcome.

Many here believe you have violated the above.

And I have been a member here since the beginning of the site.

[blonde_devil]

Originally Posted by raygendreau

Netflix international business plan is streaming only. They will never offer disc by mail. Not in Europe nor Canada. They financed international streaming with the income from their U.S. physical disc business.

yes and no. No doubt it does play into it a bit but here in Canada, they had 1 million customers in the fall of 2011 - it has probably gone up since then. But even if it didn't, $8 million a month pays for a lot of royalties. Certianly the initial cost was covered by the US service but then again, isn't that how business works. Beside in the end, it is all one huge company anyways - my netflix ID works when I go to the States, I just get the US version of it. But it was a smart plan - at $8 a month, people will buy it instead of cable and it costs them less since they don't need discs, people to send them out, etc.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by blonde_devil

yes and no. No doubt it does play into it a bit but here in Canada, they had 1 million customers in the fall of 2011 - it has probably gone up since then. But even if it didn't, $8 million a month pays for a lot of royalties. Certianly the initial cost was covered by the US service but then again, isn't that how business works. Beside in the end, it is all one huge company anyways - my netflix ID works when I go to the States, I just get the US version of it. But it was a smart plan - at $8 a month, people will buy it instead of cable and it costs them less since they don't need discs, people to send them out, etc.

Where can I watch some of my football teams away games live if I don't have cable? Do you know how many billions of football fans are out there? Will I have to wait a year (at least) to see the latest walking dead if I don't buy it on bluray? Where can I watch boxing live?

[raygendreau]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

General rules

• No trolling.
• Don't threadcrap. In other words don't go into a thread about golfing and post "golf sucks" etc. It's unconstructive and it insults people who like golf.
• If you can't contribute anything positive to the thread don't respond at all - just report the post if you think it should be reported.
• If your only purpose on this forum is to question Blu-ray as a format and bringing negativity to the forum, then you are not welcome.

Many here believe you have violated the above.

And I have been a member here since the beginning of the site.

You speak for yourself here, Wendell, not for others. Here is the rule you violated:

"Use the Report Post option via the icon to report any rule violations rather than responding to them directly." Your comment about banning me was a threat.

In fact, I have violated no forum rules in my posts in this thread. My posts have been relevant and on point with the OP. The thread is about Netflix business and product focus .

The length of your membership is not relevant. Your familiarity with the thread is.

If you are unwilling to edit your post to remove the violations of forum rules, perhaps a moderator will help you. My recommendation is that your post be edited and that both your posts and mine discussing violations be deleted from the thread because they add no value to the thread.

[blonde_devil]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Where can I watch some of my football teams away games live if I don't have cable? Do you know how many billions of football fans are out there? Will I have to wait a year (at least) to see the latest walking dead if I don't buy it on bluray? Where can I watch boxing live?

I didn't say it was the end all and be all but when you consider a lot of the extra cable channels are just for timeshifting, it is smarter to get netfix for $8 than those channels for $20+. Besides, a lot of the sports games are on specialty channels anyways which can be unique to the provider. Can you watch CFL games in the States on most providers? I am guessing not. Switch who provides you your cable and you could lose those games anyways. There are those of us who really could care less for the sports channels so it isn't a factor in deciding what to get.

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by raygendreau

You speak for yourself here, Wendell, not for others. Here is the rule you violated:

"Use the Report Post option via the icon to report any rule violations rather than responding to them directly." Your comment about banning me was a threat.

In fact, I have violated no forum rules in my posts in this thread. My posts have been relevant and on point with the OP. The thread is about Netflix business and product focus .

The length of your membership is not relevant. Your familiarity with the thread is.

If you are unwilling to edit your post to remove the violations of forum rules, perhaps a moderator will help you. My recommendation is that your post be edited and that both your posts and mine discussing violations be deleted from the thread because they add no value to the thread.

You are totally wrong. This is not some blanket Netflix thread, YOU are just treating it as such...which is known as derailing a thread, which is against forum rules, which is what Wendell is stating.
This thread is about Netflix disc rental, plain and simple. All talk about streaming should be directed to the appropriate Netflix streaming threads.

By all means, please contact and OP. I'd love to get this clarified once and for all.