Netflix raises prices - a lot

[X]

Now that they added games, I'm more keen to picking up the mailing service.

[Scott]

Now that they added games, I'm more keen to picking up the mailing service.

I would much prefer Netflix having games over Gamefly. The shipping times are 3 - 4 times faster. Also, I've wanted Netflix to offer games for a long time now.

I echo the sentiment about the name,

[Poodyglitz]

This Qwikster thing makes me think of when Amway renbranded to Quickstar. I read the Reed Hastings email that came in this morning and rolled my eyes.  :dry With all that spin, I'm reminded of the Blood Sweat & Tears song, "Spinning Wheel":

What goes up, must come down...  ;D

[ElfManDan]

Ok I may have to turn my Netflix back on for that. Anybody know if they are going to be releasing new games quickly or do we have to wait on those a little while?

[Feathers]

I'm becoming concerned about Netflix.  This move just seems...idiotic.  What sense is it to make a completely second service when everyone liked the convenience of one service?

Because they're there to make a profit for their shareholders, not to be 'convenient' for everyone else. The sooner you realise this about companies, the less disappointment you'll have to cope with in life. :)

[Bryancd]

I'm becoming concerned about Netflix.  This move just seems...idiotic.  What sense is it to make a completely second service when everyone liked the convenience of one service?

Because they're there to make a profit for their shareholders, not to be 'convenient' for everyone else. The sooner you realise this about companies, the less disappointment you'll have to cope with in life. :)

Well said, Mike. :)

[Rico]

Before people start saying poor Netflix, just trying to make a buck out there, take a look at their profits.  They've been doing very well for quite awhile now.  And yes, I know companies are starting to charge more for their content, but lets keep this in perspective.  They have gotten a lot of money from me over the years.  Been with them since near the start - over a decade.  But, I'm down to just the streaming plan now.  In any case, local distribution of physical media (like Redbox and the old Blockbuster days) might be the better model for disc rentals.

[Bryancd]

Before people start saying poor Netflix, just trying to make a buck out there, take a look at their profits.  They've been doing very well for quite awhile now.  And yes, I know companies are starting to charge more for their content, but lets keep this in perspective.  They have gotten a lot of money from me over the years.  Been with them since near the start - over a decade.  But, I'm down to just the streaming plan now.  In any case, local distribution of physical media (like Redbox and the old Blockbuster days) might be the better model for disc rentals.

..and another good analysis! Yes, Netflix need to continue to focus and drive the streaming business, that's the crown jewel. That's where the global growth will come from. China, India, emerging markets all offer growing technology consumers where streamimng content will be king and Netflix needs to focus on that.

[X]

Before people start saying poor Netflix, just trying to make a buck out there, take a look at their profits.  They've been doing very well for quite awhile now.  And yes, I know companies are starting to charge more for their content, but lets keep this in perspective.  They have gotten a lot of money from me over the years.  Been with them since near the start - over a decade.  But, I'm down to just the streaming plan now.  In any case, local distribution of physical media (like Redbox and the old Blockbuster days) might be the better model for disc rentals.

I'm not saying poor netflix. I actually like this new idea more than the current model. I know they got money from people over the years, but people also got services over the years. It wasn't like we were just loaning them money and borrowing movies over the years. They separated the two sides and are going to provide more content on the mail side.

I'm also going to go out on a limb and say that this is a necessity. By creating a streaming only service, you can create tiers that will meet the demands of STARZ. You can have your basic streaming package and then they are probably going to create one that's around 12 a month that will give you STARZ streaming as well. This way you can pick your poisons and they can meet the demands that STARZ has issued about not wanting their services in a 8 buck plan. Since I have STARZ, I don't need the addition, but I think it would work better for some people.

[KingIsaacLinksr]

I'm becoming concerned about Netflix.  This move just seems...idiotic.  What sense is it to make a completely second service when everyone liked the convenience of one service?

Because they're there to make a profit for their shareholders, not to be 'convenient' for everyone else. The sooner you realise this about companies, the less disappointment you'll have to cope with in life. :)

I'll bet the shareholders are real happy that their stock has taken a nosedive past several days...just saying. 

King

[billybob476]

I'm becoming concerned about Netflix.  This move just seems...idiotic.  What sense is it to make a completely second service when everyone liked the convenience of one service?

Because they're there to make a profit for their shareholders, not to be 'convenient' for everyone else. The sooner you realise this about companies, the less disappointment you'll have to cope with in life. :)

I'll bet the shareholders are real happy that their stock has taken a nosedive past several days...just saying. 

King

Short term loss for long term gain. With most investments you have to be ready to play the long game.

[KingIsaacLinksr]

I'm becoming concerned about Netflix.  This move just seems...idiotic.  What sense is it to make a completely second service when everyone liked the convenience of one service?

Because they're there to make a profit for their shareholders, not to be 'convenient' for everyone else. The sooner you realise this about companies, the less disappointment you'll have to cope with in life. :)

I'll bet the shareholders are real happy that their stock has taken a nosedive past several days...just saying. 

King

Short term loss for long term gain. With most investments you have to be ready to play the long game.

But that's the question, has Netflix lost too many subscribers?  They say a million, but the recent news might have created more people quitting the service.  I have not, as streaming-only is all I've ever wanted (with better content), but some may not like 2 websites on top of the recent price hikes.

King

[Bryancd]

No, they haven't lost too many subscribers and there is a global market that is vast and yet to be accessed.

[Feathers]

I'm becoming concerned about Netflix.  This move just seems...idiotic.  What sense is it to make a completely second service when everyone liked the convenience of one service?

Because they're there to make a profit for their shareholders, not to be 'convenient' for everyone else. The sooner you realise this about companies, the less disappointment you'll have to cope with in life. :)

I'll bet the shareholders are real happy that their stock has taken a nosedive past several days...just saying. 

King

Short term loss for long term gain. With most investments you have to be ready to play the long game.

Yes, who cares what the price does today... or tomorrow...

In the long term, it looks like they're trying to get rid of all of the annoying bits like having to post physical discs to people and wait for them to come back etc. The business isn't about 'subscriptions', it's about 'profitable subscriptions' and not just those that make a profit now but those that will do so going forward.

Their strategy may be miles wide of the mark but they obviously have some sort of plan that makes sense to them. Whatever they are, they're not stupid so you've got to assume that the risks of today appear to be worth it in light of the projected benefits in the future.

[Feathers]

No, they haven't lost too many subscribers and there is a global market that is vast and yet to be accessed.

Yes, like the one over here...