Netflix Backtracks on Qwikster...No Word on Video Game Rental

[Omegaice]

Originally Posted by Snake_XRS

I went down to the streaming-only plan, but worry that this deal is only going to get worse. Sony and Starz are not renewing their license, and I have yet to hear what they plan on adding to compensate the loss. The streaming selection was mostly bunk anyway, but at least their was a ton of crap to get lost in. Losing a million customers at $10+ per month is definitely bad news, so it will be interesting to see which way this goes.

Don't forget that Showtime pulled their stuff as well. I really don't see how they plan to augment the loss of content either. Other than putting more new release movies in the streaming only feature. I know that when I went down to just streaming only, I started using RedBox more for my physical media fix. Although their selection is not like a Blockbuster, the convenience & cost factor has won me over.

[Septimus Prime]

Originally Posted by omegaice

I really don't see how they plan to augment the loss of content either.

By raising the price. That's been their modus operandi this whole time anyway, right?

[Omegaice]

Originally Posted by Septimus Prime

By raising the price. That's been their modus operandi this whole time anyway, right?

Damn! They may be onto something then...Offer less but pay more! Yes, please!!

[jsteinhauer]

Originally Posted by Snake_XRS

Losing a million customers at $10+ per month is definitely bad news, so it will be interesting to see which way this goes.

That is a lot of customers, many of whom will defect to competitors, and losing customers is almost never good, but there may be a little strategy at play. If they are shedding a lot of high users this way, that softens the blow a little bit. Losing those like me hurts the most. $10+ per month with less than 1 DVD per month turnaround, on average. Does it look like the structure is changing in a way to force those frequent turnaround customers away? I'm not sure. It will be interesting, as you say.

[jpb07]

There is one flaw in that argument. If someone is renting a lot of movies, they are more apt to believe they are getting a good deal. If you jack the price up on someone who takes a week to return things, they are going to look at their per disc cost and may decide that Redbox fits their needs better. If you look at it that way, they are losing their profitable members and thus taking a double whammy of losing their fees as well as increasing their average mailing costs per member. Of course this can (and likely will) lead to the already mentioned price increase in 6-9 months.

[Omegaice]

Originally Posted by jsteinhauer

That is a lot of customers, many of whom will defect to competitors, and losing customers is almost never good, but there may be a little strategy at play. If they are shedding a lot of high users this way, that softens the blow a little bit. Losing those like me hurts the most. $10+ per month with less than 1 DVD per month turnaround, on average. Does it look like the structure is changing in a way to force those frequent turnaround customers away? I'm not sure. It will be interesting, as you say.

I would like to see the data on the types of users that make up Netflix subscriber base. Like, how many of the streaming only and the streaming & DVD accounts. My bet would be that the streamers like many of us in here, make up a huge chunk of that pie.

[dyne]

So they say there will be no increase again but fail to mention that it's still $2 or $3 (can't remember) to upgrade to Blu and say nothing about how much it will cost to add the games feature. You know they're not going to give it away for free.

[jamclaur]

Originally Posted by supersix4

lol he could call it greatestserviceinthehistoryoftheworld, but if he doesn't fix his crappy price boost (and lets be real netflix streaming has just now gotten worth the price with the additions they've made, but to up the price )

I hope they lose another 600k and then beg people to come back.

I disagree... Netflix streaming has gotten WORSE lately. The selection is crap now, there's nothing there. They have the same movie in 3 different sections trying to make it look full...

Not to mention the layout of my PS3 app COMPLETELY sucks now.

[Omegaice]

Originally Posted by dyne

So they say there will be no increase again but fail to mention that it's still $2 or $3 (can't remember) to upgrade to Blu and say nothing about how much it will cost to add the games feature. You know they're not going to give it away for free.

It's $2 for the Blu-ray upgrade. GameFly charges $16/mo. for one game out & $23/mo. for two games. Netflix(Qwikster,), would have to hit a price point that's competitive to what GameFly offers. The wildcard though is going to be RedBox, I believe. At $2/day, the value is there. Plus you can reserve online & just go to the machine & pick it up the same day.

[Monkey]

Originally Posted by Dutch Loven

couldn't agree more. i don't really see why these services can't be housed under 1 site. oh well, i'll make due but it just seems slightly inconvenient.

Originally Posted by omegaice

It's $2 for the Blu-ray upgrade. GameFly charges $16/mo. for one game out & $23/mo. for two games. Netflix(Qwikster,), would have to hit a price point that's competitive to what GameFly offers. The wildcard though is going to be RedBox, I believe. At $2/day, the value is there. Plus you can reserve online & just go to the machine & pick it up the same day.

I need to get with the times and start doing this.

[Omegaice]

Originally Posted by Monkey

I need to get with the times and start doing this.

Oh yes, you must! RedBox does not have the huge selection of GameFly, right now. But they have the new releases every Tuesday, ie. Deus Ex, Dead Island, Resistance 3...etc. And after 25 days, the game is yours to keep which adds up to $50. Not a bad alternative.

[tarvis]

Originally Posted by jamclaur

I disagree... Netflix streaming has gotten WORSE lately. The selection is crap now, there's nothing there.

Shrug. Netflix streaming has always been good to me. Over the past month I've recently watched Murder in the First, starring Naked Bacon. Arrested Development. Predator 2. Surviving the Game. The Newton Boys. Choose. Gung Ho. The Substitute 2: Treat Williams Edition. Tequila Sunrise. Wild Target. Warlock. The IT Crowd. The Guardian. The Unnamable. And more! All for less than the price of cable! Hooray!

[Omegaice]

Originally Posted by tarvis

Shrug. Netflix streaming has always been good to me. Over the past month I've recently watched Murder in the First, starring Naked Bacon. Arrested Development. Predator 2. Surviving the Game. The Newton Boys. Choose. Gung Ho. The Substitute 2: Treat Williams Edition. Tequila Sunrise. Wild Target. Warlock. The IT Crowd. The Guardian. The Unnamable. And more! All for less than the price of cable! Hooray!

The only thing I've been watching on Netflix is Mad Men! I can't get enough!

[tarvis]

I buy Mad Men and Breaking Bad on Blu-Ray. I justifiably rationalize the cost by the money I save by not having cable. I love that Mad Men is shot on film. That grain is delicious.

[Monkey]

Originally Posted by omegaice

Oh yes, you must! RedBox does not have the huge selection of GameFly, right now. But they have the new releases every Tuesday, ie. Deus Ex, Dead Island, Resistance 3...etc. And after 25 days, the game is yours to keep which adds up to $50. Not a bad alternative.

Not bad at all, I'm looking into a good location by me.

yeah, streaming has been great for the kids. For me it is hit or miss. When I was watching Spartacus (Both series) and Camelot (Didn't finish in time before removed ) it was great to have. Right now I'm not finding much.

[Omegaice]

Originally Posted by Monkey

Not bad at all, I'm looking into a good location by me.

yeah, streaming has been great for the kids. For me it is hit or miss. When I was watching Spartacus (Both series) and Camelot (Didn't finish in time before removed ) it was great to have. Right now I'm not finding much.

Hopefully there are several RedBox locations close to you. That helps out when you are looking for a movie or game. I wasn't completly sold on RedBox until I found out just how easy it was to reserve online & then pick-up! The Spartacus series is outstanding! Unfortunate about the death of Andy Whitfield though. Never saw Camelot though, didn't peak my interest. Look into Mad Men, I think you'll like it!

[tarvis]

Originally Posted by omegaice

Look into Mad Men, I think you'll like it!

I'd also highly recommend The IT Crowd if you've never watched it. You'll say, Haha.

[Omegaice]

Originally Posted by tarvis

I'd also highly recommend The IT Crowd if you've never watched it. You'll say, Haha.

Ok! I look into it! Thanks!

[Monkey]

Originally Posted by tarvis

I'd also highly recommend The IT Crowd if you've never watched it. You'll say, Haha.

IT Crowd is awesome!!! one of the best comedies period. I've converted quite a few people.

I had to give Mad Men a few more chances and probably start from the beginning. I've only watched one episode

[Show spoiler]Main character kisses some store owner on the roof/kids bday party some dad slap some kid/some outcast neighborhood lady

and it didn't do much for me.

[Omegaice]

Originally Posted by Monkey

IT Crowd is awesome!!! one of the best comedies period. I've converted quite a few people.

I had to give Mad Men a few more chances and probably start from the beginning. I've only watched one episode

[Show spoiler]Main character kisses some store owner on the roof/kids bday party some dad slap some kid/some outcast neighborhood lady

and it didn't do much for me.

It took me a few episodes to really get into Mad Men but now it's addicting! Now that we've gotten off topic!