Netflix Now Tone-Deaf on Public Perception

This is spot on. Who the hell wants to ship DVD's back and forth, seriously?

I do. Nothing beats a blu-ray disc on a quality system. Ever heard high def audio? It's just as important as high def video. Anyone who has spent time listening to the high def codecs on a blu-ray disc (True HD and DTS HD Master Audio) knows how much better it is than anything you can stream.
 
Like most have said... this is a bad for pr, but Netflix knows what they are doing. They are riding the 'streaming' wave.

Personally, I can't stand streaming for MOST movies netflix has... for 1 reason.. The only stream Stereo. Most receivers can at least play back in Dolby Pro Logic II. I would prefer DTS or better, but DPL would be nice... but noooooo, netflix is too cheap.

blah.
 
The Amazon Prime Instant Video movie selection isn't that great. (but the TV selection's not bad) I wouldn't get Prime solely for the videos, and you'd have to order frequently to make the membership cost-effective.

This. I had both Amazon Prime (ordered many a computer parts) and Netflix (for streaming) for a good while. After I saw the post here about price hikes, I immediately cancelled my Netflix account. I wish people would grow some balls and cancel IF they were really as pissed off as they say.
 
These inept commentaries on the front page are terrible. Netflix doesn't care because they acknowledge that some people will cancel or downgrade? It means that they are realistic about what will happen, and they are planning for it.

I will give up streaming because the catalog is not large enough to justify the additional cost. $8 for the DVD plan is still a really good price. It was much higher when Netflix originally launched.

It is still a good deal, and the price increases aren't because of greed or mismanagement, they come from hugely increasing licensing costs.
 
Doesn't bother me they don't care, im not up in arms over it, I only wanted streaming anyways.
 
If I owned Netflix, I would definately raise the subscriptions. $8 a month is a great entry price, but now that it reached it's critical mass, the cost to scale the infrastructure would really eat into the profit margins.

So, by increasing the price:
1) You cut out the 20% of the population that has a hard time paying the extra (who are much more migratory as a subscriber base).
2) You increase the profit margin and therefore incease value to current and prospective investors.
3) You avoid having to make expensive distribution/infrastructure/HR upgrades.
4) 3rd quarter is a cleanup/reset period which means that starting in the fourth quarter, steady growth will once again begin.

Raising the price can acheive all this; as long as it's done properly. If you raise it too high, or don't provide diversity in your packages, it can actually have the opposite effect and backfire. There are many variables to consider - many obvious to you and many not, before these prices are establised by analysts.
 
This. Vote with your wallet.

I voted with mine. I cancelled my subscription. I never thought the selection was that great for streaming, and they certainly had very few movies that had 5.1 sound. Sound for me is a big deal. Also, I only got a couple movies a month, so it just wasn't worth the the 25% increase in cost. Honestly, getting 2 BDs at redbox a month and the crappy steaming selection from Amazon Prime subscription I was already paying for will be enough. Thanks Netflix for helping me to realize how much money I was wasting on you! :p
 
Mine arrived today.

Well, I was a Netflix member for a good while and I NEVER received new release blu-rays. It always took at least a month or so. And I've lived in 2 locations far away from each other so the distribution sites were different.

I really hated when Netflix added the "blu-ray tax" anyway. That was a turning point for me.
 
Then I think those people can 'afford' this price hike, or they can just buy them outright and own them forever.

Sure, I can "afford" it no problem. With their current lack of selection, I'm only using it a few times a month right now. Not to mention it took them 4 weeks to get me Children's Hospital Season 1... and I can't get Apocalypse Now on blu-ray from them...

The value has gone down, but the price goes up. It isn't about what I can afford. I'd rather just get things on blu-ray when they are cheap now. That doesn't help Netflix, it just sends my money pretty much directly to the MPAA and studios.
 
And when they do that, we will get absolutely nothing. Like it or not, Netflix is leading the streaming revolution. Their prices aren't caused by their own devious schemes, but by the media companies who refuse to realize that it is 2011. Without Netflix, you will at best be stuck with Amazon Prime, and it is possible for the market to fracture so much that media companies start making their own services. Think Steam vs. Origin, just with every two bit gaming company having their own platform. Of course we all know this will just lead to piracy if there isn't a one stop fits all place like Netflix, but they are greedy morons who couldn't figure out reality if it slapped them in the face.

So for consumers all hope is lost, and we must bow to the big Netflix Machine...

I don't think so.

The pricing thing isn't the only thing wrong with Netflix. Toss in the severely limited streaming selection, 28 day wait for new releases, and other stupid shit and to me, they just don't provide any sort of value.
 
Every time I went on Netflix the movie I want is never there or I have to wait for the DVD to arrive. I cancelled the service a long time ago and just resorted to downloading movies. Instant gratification and free.
 
I say good on em, and applaud them for not backing down.

People love to whine, people love to bitch, people will cancel out of protest... let em, fuck em

it's $8 a month for unlimited streaming, of relatively new content, and a lot of older content you can't find easily else where (legally) is a damn good deal, if folks don't like it they can find something else.

it's $8 a month for all you can eat 1 at a time dvd rental, sure redbox is cheaper, but for folks not near a redbox getting even 4 movies in a month, means $2 per rental and a damn good price.

Thank you netflix, I for one will not be cancelling.
 
The more Netflix talks and stands up for their decision, I think Netflixs opinion of everyones "hurt" feelings about this price hike can basically be summed up like this:



Good-good-let-the-butthurt-flow-through-you-1.jpg
 
Wah wah wah. Jesus. When there becomes a viable alternative to Netflix, with lower rates ($8 for streaming is bad?) and has a huge catalog with no ads then the bitching will be relevant. Right now it sounds like a bunch of man-babies.
 
Like most have said... this is a bad for pr, but Netflix knows what they are doing. They are riding the 'streaming' wave.

Personally, I can't stand streaming for MOST movies netflix has... for 1 reason.. The only stream Stereo. Most receivers can at least play back in Dolby Pro Logic II. I would prefer DTS or better, but DPL would be nice... but noooooo, netflix is too cheap.

blah.

I think they are catering to the majority of their audience.

Personally I have never owned anything but a standard stereo system. I use the built in stereo speakers in my TV for watching movies. I don't have a dedicated sound receiver, and I don't know anyone who does either.

That stuff is for a small minority of the population who tries to recreate the theater experience at home. I've watched movies with that stuff, and honestly don't feel it significantly adds to the experience, then again I don't watch movies where action is a major part of the theme.
 
Unfortunately, after being a customer for over 3 years, there isn't much left to watch.

Same here.

I rarely like to re-watch movies, so I switched from buying to renting from Netflix when they where fairly new.
Then Netflix started taking several weeks to finally send me new movies, so I switch to BlockBuster when they had the free in-store exchange.
But then BlockBuster closed the 4 closest stores, so switched back to Netflix to take advantage of the steaming.

For the past year, I've been putting my Netflix account on hold for a month or 2 at a time, due to the lack of new DVD's or new streaming content.

The streaming content that's left is not worth the $8/month, and with so few good movies coming out nowdays, I can't even justify the seperate 1 DVD at a time. It's cheaper to just go to Redbox for a 2-3 movies worth watching each month.
 
i cant wait till you have to pay for HBO movies, STARS movies, CBS/NBC/ABC/TBS/etc all get there cut, and ALL have there very own steraming service.. $15 to neflix is going to be paltry compared to $8 for each of those..becuase as soon as netflix cant pay and have to give up (simply a fact) the largest streaming selection availble. People are such sheep, its happening now in Game digital, STEAM (love it or hate it) is king of the hill, now all the people WHO WOULDNT take a chance on it all want their peice of the pie since it works.. Its not going to get better.. Netflix most likley wont get the STARS cataloge again, Alot of HBO stuff will disapper (as they have thier own streaming now, more will follow).

Netflix is simply trying to cover the increased prices they will have to pay to keep some content, sadly the increase they did will simply not work if you crunch numbers and look at what studios are asking. Before you Cry "netflix wants to laugh all the way to the bank" read some earnings reports, see what they actually pay, see the estimates on what they will be paying.. you wont say NETFLIX is bad again... youmight not like the studios though.
 
I have been with Netflix since 2000 and they have always done right by me. Even after all these years there's still plenty to watch, plenty of a selection, and streaming was just an added bonus to watch stuff that doesn't exist in HD (i.e. most TV shows).

Do I hate the price increase? I sure do.
However, Netflix still provides the best value and selection in the industry and unless there's some competitor who comes along and can surpass the selection at a lower price I will stick with Netflix.

On a price per hour of entertainment Netflix remains one of the best, if not the best, value out there today.

There's also the following to consider:

Netflix was able to score comparatively cheap streaming deals when the service first launched, but now content providers want to be paid more for the content they're providing. One analyst predicts Netflix's streaming content licensing costs will rise from $180 million in 2010 to a whopping $1.98 billion in 2012.
source: http://money.cnn.com/2011/07/25/technology/netflix_earnings/
 
i cant wait till you have to pay for HBO movies, STARS movies, CBS/NBC/ABC/TBS/etc all get there cut, and ALL have there very own steraming service.. $15 to neflix is going to be paltry compared to $8 for each of those..becuase as soon as netflix cant pay and have to give up (simply a fact) the largest streaming selection availble. People are such sheep, its happening now in Game digital, STEAM (love it or hate it) is king of the hill, now all the people WHO WOULDNT take a chance on it all want their peice of the pie since it works.. Its not going to get better.. Netflix most likley wont get the STARS cataloge again, Alot of HBO stuff will disapper (as they have thier own streaming now, more will follow).

Netflix is simply trying to cover the increased prices they will have to pay to keep some content, sadly the increase they did will simply not work if you crunch numbers and look at what studios are asking. Before you Cry "netflix wants to laugh all the way to the bank" read some earnings reports, see what they actually pay, see the estimates on what they will be paying.. you wont say NETFLIX is bad again... youmight not like the studios though.

Exactly.

For Netflix to actually make sense economically once the studios start charging their real fees, it would probably have to cost in the same realm as a featured cable bill, between $60 and $80 /month

The only reason they've been able to do the streaming thing so cheaply for so long is because they took advantage of the the fact that other executives were stuck in the past and thought streaming was some fringe thing that would never be big, so they licensed the streaming rights really cheaply. Once they come up for renegotiation, Netflix will have to raise their rates CONSIDERABLY or completely change their business model in order to stay in business.
 
Zarathustra[H];1037555656 said:
Interesting. I've been using the service for a couple of years now and never noticed this.

You must not keep very many movies in your queue.
I've had several movies in my watch queue that became unavailable over the last year.
 
Zarathustra[H];1037555679 said:
I think they are catering to the majority of their audience.

Personally I have never owned anything but a standard stereo system. I use the built in stereo speakers in my TV for watching movies. I don't have a dedicated sound receiver, and I don't know anyone who does either.

That stuff is for a small minority of the population who tries to recreate the theater experience at home. I've watched movies with that stuff, and honestly don't feel it significantly adds to the experience, then again I don't watch movies where action is a major part of the theme.

Good lord. Sound doesn't significantly add to the experience? I'm partially hearing impaired and I feel bad for you. There are no built in TV speakers that don't sound like shit. It's not just "action movies", it's any movie that has music or pretty much anything sound related. Your TV speakers aren't accurately reproducing the source material in the slightest. I'd say you are getting maybe 25% of the frequency and channel range, tops, using only TV speakers.
 
Good lord. Sound doesn't significantly add to the experience? I'm partially hearing impaired and I feel bad for you. There are no built in TV speakers that don't sound like shit. It's not just "action movies", it's any movie that has music or pretty much anything sound related. Your TV speakers aren't accurately reproducing the source material in the slightest. I'd say you are getting maybe 25% of the frequency and channel range, tops, using only TV speakers.

to me sound is what makes up 90% of the experience.
 
Good lord. Sound doesn't significantly add to the experience? I'm partially hearing impaired and I feel bad for you. There are no built in TV speakers that don't sound like shit. It's not just "action movies", it's any movie that has music or pretty much anything sound related. Your TV speakers aren't accurately reproducing the source material in the slightest. I'd say you are getting maybe 25% of the frequency and channel range, tops, using only TV speakers.

Don't get me wrong, I find sound quality VERY important when I listen to music. I have high end headphones and dedicated headphone amps to maximize the sound quality.

When it comes to movies - however - I haven't found it to be worth it. Surround sound - to me - is just as much of a hype as 3D is. That being said, I tend to not watch the large over-produced theatrical releases. I often watch documentaries, dramas and news that rely less on effects (sound and visual) and more on the story they are trying to tell, which doesn't depend on those things.
 
Zarathustra[H];1037555768 said:
Don't get me wrong, I find sound quality VERY important when I listen to music. I have high end headphones and dedicated headphone amps to maximize the sound quality.

When it comes to movies - however - I haven't found it to be worth it. Surround sound - to me - is just as much of a hype as 3D is. That being said, I tend to not watch the large over-produced theatrical releases. I often watch documentaries, dramas and news that rely less on effects (sound and visual) and more on the story they are trying to tell, which doesn't depend on those things.

Don't you want to hear the full range and tibre of Morgan Freeman's voice while he talks about Wildabeest cock?
 
Zarathustra[H];1037555739 said:
Exactly.

For Netflix to actually make sense economically once the studios start charging their real fees, it would probably have to cost in the same realm as a featured cable bill, between $60 and $80 /month

The only reason they've been able to do the streaming thing so cheaply for so long is because they took advantage of the the fact that other executives were stuck in the past and thought streaming was some fringe thing that would never be big, so they licensed the streaming rights really cheaply. Once they come up for renegotiation, Netflix will have to raise their rates CONSIDERABLY or completely change their business model in order to stay in business.

Wrong. The studios are overestimating the value of thier streaming content.

If the Studios raise prices that much they will end up killing Netflix.
Also, the Studios are dreaming if they think they can make more money by streaming directly. Most people will not subscribe to a dozen seperate services at $10-$20 each.
 
Good lord. Sound doesn't significantly add to the experience? I'm partially hearing impaired and I feel bad for you. There are no built in TV speakers that don't sound like shit. It's not just "action movies", it's any movie that has music or pretty much anything sound related. Your TV speakers aren't accurately reproducing the source material in the slightest. I'd say you are getting maybe 25% of the frequency and channel range, tops, using only TV speakers.

He must have never watched a movie with a good sound track on a good sound system.
Once you do, you'll never want to go back to TV speakers :)
 
Don't you want to hear the full range and tibre of Morgan Freeman's voice while he talks about Wildabeest cock?

:p

Naah, as long as I can understand what he's saying and there's no reverberating/vibrating noise from the TV at volumes I listen to, I'm OK.

When you own a condo, you also have to be very mindful about noise levels. I rarely if ever have the TV turned up more than a third of the way as to not bother the neighbors.

If I had one of those surround systems with a sub, I'd probably have the cops called all the time :p
 
Zarathustra[H];1037555805 said:
:p

Naah, as long as I can understand what he's saying and there's no reverberating/vibrating noise from the TV at volumes I listen to, I'm OK.

When you own a condo, you also have to be very mindful about noise levels. I rarely if ever have the TV turned up more than a third of the way as to not bother the neighbors.

If I had one of those surround systems with a sub, I'd probably have the cops called all the time :p


Hah, I just pissed off my neighbor in my town house cause I had the sound cranked up on my 5.1 watching the TOR opening cinematic. Fuck her, its midday, i'll crank it up if I want
 
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdR8Q6EMUbk&feature=related"]‪2008 Direct TV Anti Cable Spot‬‏ - YouTube[/ame]

Anyone remember this commercial? What Netflix execs were saying when they made this move :)
 
So for consumers all hope is lost, and we must bow to the big Netflix Machine...

I don't think so.

The pricing thing isn't the only thing wrong with Netflix. Toss in the severely limited streaming selection, 28 day wait for new releases, and other stupid shit and to me, they just don't provide any sort of value.

Then don't ever expect any value from streaming content. Because the reasons for the limited selection is the Studios want more DVD sales. The 28 days for release, Studios again want more DVD sales.

The Studios are built around the theater and DVD sales model.

Instead of joining us here in the second decade of the 21st Century, they are trying to make believe it is still the 20th Century. While they continue this willful ignorance, pirating will soar. Nowadays you don't need to go to a theater when you have a 60 inch LCD TV and 5.1 surround sound at home. Which is a decision many people have been making.

The Studios could be making bank by releasing new movies online a week or two after they are out, just charge a higher premium because you don't know how many will be watching. Say $20-25. After a couple months of the theater/high priced streaming, release the DVD for $10-15 and one day streaming rental for $10. As it gets older, drop prices more till you hit equilibrium. DVD sales should be relegated to a second tier income, and actual streaming should move to the first.

Of course this would require our major ISP's to use the billions they have been charging us in infrastructure taxes to actually upgrade our system to a first world standard, instead of our clearly second rate internet. :(
 
Wrong. The studios are overestimating the value of thier streaming content.

If the Studios raise prices that much they will end up killing Netflix.
Also, the Studios are dreaming if they think they can make more money by streaming directly. Most people will not subscribe to a dozen seperate services at $10-$20 each.

Well, think of it this way.

Up until Netflix and the like, people had to rent movies from their local movie store, often at over $4-$5 a piece for new releases.

Say you rent 10 movies a month (this is way higher than me, but I get the impression I watch fewer movies than other people), that's almost $50 right there once you are through with taxes and the like. Make this unlimited, and the $60-80 figure doesn't seem that far off.

A lot of startups like redbox can offer things cheaper, but once they become a big player, the studios negotiate pretty hard with them to drive up prices.
 
Hah, I just pissed off my neighbor in my town house cause I had the sound cranked up on my 5.1 watching the TOR opening cinematic. Fuck her, its midday, i'll crank it up if I want

if you were rattling shit in my house, even in the middle of the day, i'd be bitching too...
 
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