And countdown to implosion...

[kate]

Netflix is splitting into two separate companies, Netflix (streaming) and Qwikster (DVDs through the mail). I have not received an email yet (they must be sending them in batches), but apparently they're sending an email that links you to the apology/explanation from the Netflix CEO. The comments are worth a read, they're hilarious.

Comments

[xtricks]

Arg. The only thing I can think is that they're trying to get rid of their DVD rental service in a 'soft release' type of way - by making it increasingly difficult to get DVDs. Which would be great if the actually had a robust streaming library but they don't, especially after the Starz loss.

[cavocorax]

I totally think this whole thing is about decreasing the need for physical media. Movies stores are dying. Dvd sales are dropping. Why order a movie and wait a few days before someone ships it to you, when you can just go online and see what's available now?

Of course, up here in Canada we never had that option. We pay $8/mo for streaming, and the selection is even worse than what they offer in the US. I don't agree with how Netflix is rolling this out, but I can see that the probably don't make much money through dvd's/bluray. Still, with all this money they are saving by not buying disks that will just get lost/scratched etc (and by paying less in postal charges), I HOPE they can negotiate some good contracts.

Like you say, with the Starz loss, the selection is looking worse and worse. $8 is still worth it for me so long as it replaces 1-2 trips to the video store, but once I run out of interesting content, that'll be the end of it. :|

[xtricks]

I'm going to buy Hulu plus and see what it's selection is. Thing is, I watch a lot of nature documentaries and Netflix is one of the few places that streams it. And then I watch a lot of relatively new British TV, which isn't streamed ... sigh.

[erinptah]

Favorite comment: "This is the thanks I get for not stealing them off the Internet?"

My account was set to reactivate in five days. I'm glad this news came out beforehand, so I can make a note of everything in my queues and close it before they start taking my money again.

[pinkadot89]

I like how he's admitting to arrogance. LoL

But seriously, Netflix is slipping into ridiculousness. They just continue to spring things onto their customers, which isn't helping them at all. Sure it's a business and they have to make changes to keep going, but this is becoming too much.

[dydan]

Roku is looking better and better to me....

It seems like the streaming service is offering less and less options. Sure, there's some decent TV series that we've enjoyed watching. But one can only take so many bad 80's films before you're yearning for something in the same decade we live in.

[firecat]

When I read that email I thought I had time-traveled to April 1.