Netflix and Qwikster. Comments? Hopes? Fears?

[droidmaker]

http://blog.netflix.com/2011/09/explanation-and-some-reflections.html

 

[post script Mon morning]

If you're in the mood, this is more the way i feel that Reed's letter should have sounded. What's your feedback on it -- better? worse? 

 

http://droidmaker.blogspot.com/2011/09/netflix-post-that-reed-shoul...

[Julie]

I personally think that the company wants to make using the DVD/mail service as annoying and as complicated as it can so it can push customers to the streaming only service.  Hastings seems to love the idea of a streaming only future for Netflix--ok, well, make the streaming service better NOW instead of getting us to commit on the promise that it "may" get better.  The whole non-integrated, two separate web site business is idiotic and another slap in the face to user's like me who like to keep their ratings, recommendations, ability to add to either Q all in one place.  Will I leave Qwikster (stupid name) or Netflix?  Nope, because it's still got the best selection for me, so far---for now.

[Knaldskalle]

In an eerie case of deja vu, I was just thinking about this thing earlier today, the separation of Netflix into a streaming and DVD division (the giveaway was that "Netflix DVD" division was going to be headquartered in San Jose, not Los Gatos). I'm not surprised by this move, only the name change.

My main question is this: Will the same people who cut all the good features from the Netflix website be the same ones in charge of the Qwikster site?

Next up: Dish/Blockbuster buys Qwikster. It'll happen, I have no doubt.

[plukasiak]

I think you're right about the sale of the DVD part -- its the only explanation for the separation of the websites into two completely separate entities.    The people who run the streaming service obviously want more cash to acquire more streaming rights as soon as possible, and selling off the DVD service is how they intend to do it.

 

The problem, as i see it, is that the streaming service is going to face much heavier competition than the DVD service ever did -- and that competition includes piracy.  

[Spindaddydad]

Dish/Blockbuster buys Qwikster

Makes logical sense. Blockbuster once again, late to the party.

[Biff]

The sale of the DVD portion is exactly the first thought I had after reading that horrid slap in the face letter. You have to break up the company to sell off the DVD portion. This way Netflix gets out of DVD's, which we know they want, and they get no backlash for just dropping dvd's as they would if they just canceled them. They get to wash their hands of dvd's without nearly as much bitchin' from the public.

 

I expect they already have a buyer and a deal in place, watch for the "Qwikster" sale to be announced and for new owners to take over at the beginning of the new year.

 

 

[Ed8r]

What he said ^

[Evil Herbivore]

"Customers can still subscribe to both, but the two sites will not be integrated anymore."

What? Fail.

 

"Inside Netflix I say, “Actions speak louder than words,” and we should just keep improving our service."......huh? actions speak very loud - and the customers have responded.

 

[Evil Herbivore]

so now does this site have to have qwikster and netflix sub groups?

and I noticed Reed noted in replies to his statement that you have to search separately., order separately - everything. If you're searching for a title on one site it won't show if they have it on the other.

 

 

[Baff]

I had already unsubscribed from the streaming, so in part this won't have a big effect on me.  Though, I had intended to occasionally re-add streaming when I had a bunch of stuff to stream (the vast majority of things in my queue are dvd-only).  I will not be doing that now, it would be far too much of a hassle, so I can understand why people who subscribe to both would be upset about this split.

 

Qwikster looks/sounds pretty lame to me, but in 6 months it might well seem normal (Syfy no longer looks so lame to me now).

 

I am happy that they are finally adding video games, it is long past due.  Though, I won't get too excited until I see what their game library looks like.

[Hogwaump]

This Netflix separation into two companies is a case of going from bad to worse. One of the better aspects of their rather anemic streaming service is its integration into the full title database for DVDs. I don't use the DVD service much, but when I want it, I want it. The day I go looking for a movie on Netflix and get nothing in response rather than an option to queue that movie for home delivery will probably the day that I cancel both subscriptions.

[42]

Wow just when I thought it couldn't get worse. WTF is Netflix or uh Qwikster thinking? Qwikster?? you mean they sat in an office and thought this was a good idea? FFS fire the guy who came up with this lame idea. Netflix should be ashamed!!

 

Looking forward to the fanboys responses, how can you spin this one? It's just bad all around!!

 

 

Can't believe I'll have to manage 2 websites now. Bad Netflix!!

[Aces]

Having the DVD and streaming option on the same site with the same name was confusing to customers. We are doing this to make both services more efficient and give our customers greater convenience.  Adding game rentals is our brilliant new idea since that service isn't available elsewhere. Only 2% of our subscribers even knew the DVD and streaming features were on the same site.  This change should be seamless to our valued subscribers whose loyalty we cherish,  Happy watching.