Yay!!!
Now, I’ve already seen Doctor Who Season 6. I liked it, but, on the whole, not as much as Season 5. Why am I so excited then?
Because now I can delete these episodes off our DVR and watch them, unedited, without commercials just as god intended.
Why in the world did they change the user interface? Now it’s much more akin to what you would see in a touch-screen. I use a laptop or desktop with a touchpad or mouse.
I just wish they’d stop trying to fix things that aren’t broken.
Netflix recently split their services into DVD shipping and internet streaming, while increasing prices. Back in July this change was announced and today Reed Hastings has issued what he describes as an apology. Only, it isn’t.
The price increase and service reduction announced back in July1 was met with public outcry. Reed Hastings and Netflix responded with interviews and press releases, but never a change in their policy. In one of these interviews Hastings made a comment that the price increase was “just a latte,” which struck the wrong chord with some. Yes, it shows he’s out of touch with his customer base, but that’s hardly breaking news on the heels of a 60% price hike.
To make matters more interesting, on September 1, 2011 Netflix lost one of the biggest draws to it’s streaming service – the deal it had cut with Sony and the premium cable channel Starz. So, not only does the Netflix price increase promise lower service and higher prices, but they’re also going to be offering 100,000 fewer titles. And, these aren’t just old titles – Starz was contributing recently released movies and lots of Disney titles.
Now Hastings publishes a post entitled, “An Explanation and Some Reflections.” In a nutshell, he’s saying:
Hastings, let me respond to help you put things in perspective. And, I have a feeling I speak for some of the 12,000 people who responded to your morning’s post when I say this:
Why isn’t anyone at Netflix paying attention? Your customers are not alienated because Reed Hastings isn’t talking enough. Your customers are alientated becuase prices and hassle are going up while services and selection are going down.
First, let me preface this by saying that my current plan is 3-DVD’s at a time, with free streaming movies, for $20/month. As of 9/1/2011 that price will increase 20% to $24/month.
I get that streaming subscribers cost Netflix less and they make more money. I couldn’t care less about the “It’s just a latte” comment. Here’s what I don’t like – they want a 20% increase with no additional offering. They’ve increased prices over the years, most recently just last year. This morning Netflix VP of Corporate Communications Steve Swasey was interviewed by Michael Krasney on my local NPR station, KQED.
When asked about this, Mr. Swasey said, “What we’re trying to convey is that this is an improvement in Netflix service.” (You can listen to the entire program here.) He then goes on to attempt to reinforce that Netflix is still a good value. I suppose it might still be a good value. But, that’s not the point, is it? Netflix is claiming that this is some kind of “improvement in Netflix service.” Talk about lattes all you want, but do not lie about what you’re doing.
The e-mail from Netflix, the Netflix blog, and everything talking about these increases make no mention of any change, let alone improvement, in the actual service. DVD’s won’t be delivered faster, the discs will still arrive scratched, there will still be a backlog on new movies, and there will still be the “window of delay” when new movies are released for sale.
…’cause you are apparently as nearsighted as I am.
I netflix’d the movie Scott Pilgrim vs. The World a few weeks ago. It was pretty entertaining. I don’t often check out the “special” features on movies, but I went to that menu option after watching the movie. In doing so the DVD notified me that the disc contained only the movie itself – but that I should purchase the DVD myself to watch the extras.
Here’s the thing. I don’t want to buy your movie. I’m never going to want to buy your movie. It was good, not great. But, really, that’s why I have Netflix. I’m not going out to invest $20 in your movie and then have another DVD case clutter my life. I’ve already paid for the privilege of watching your movie – I’m not going to run out and pay $20 (or more) on top of that to watch 15 minutes of people screwing up their lines.
Let’s look at this from a wider perspective. The sorts of people who are willing to pirate a movie don’t really care overmuch about the DVD extras – they’re content to watch the main movie. So, now you’ve created a system where the people who are actually paying for the privilege of watching your movie are getting the same content they’d see if they pirated the movie?? Shouldn’t you be doing the opposite?! Doesn’t it make more sense to add more content to DVD’s, not less? Why not make the actual DVD so incredibly enticing with extra features that those people who would normally pirate a film want to either (a) Netflix it or (b) buy it? I mean, it’s not like the Netflix business model is going anywhere. They’ve only gotten bigger in the last ten years and basically put brick-and-mortar movie rentals out of business.
Anyhow, for all you film execs who closely hang all over my every word – if the film industry wants my $20 directly, here’s what they have to do: Make a movie so freaking awesome I’m going to want to watch it again – and soon.