ivyfic: (Default)
ivyfic ([personal profile] ivyfic) wrote2011-09-19 07:33 am

Netflix--oh wait, I'm sorry, Qwikster

When Netflix changed the pricing structure, I wasn't annoyed. I understood that the business model is changing and they needed to separate the streaming part of their business.

Okay, well, now Netflix has managed to piss me off. You're going to make me go to two different websites to see if something is available on disc or instantly? Fuck you.

[identity profile] moonlightalice.livejournal.com 2011-09-19 12:48 pm (UTC)(link)
The price change pissed me off for the same reason this pisses me off: it assumes that the ENTIRE DVD catalog is available on instant, and it's just a matter of format preference, rather than actual availability of selection.

I'm assuming they're spinning this off to give it a quiet death--either to sell that portion of the company, or to let it die and not have it be branded a Netflix death.

[identity profile] ivy03.livejournal.com 2011-09-19 01:40 pm (UTC)(link)
This worries me as well. The only reason to split and rebrand the businesses is if you plan to sell it. This would upset me a great deal, as there are a lot of things I want to watch not available streaming.

[identity profile] cubby-t-bear.livejournal.com 2011-09-19 03:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Megan McArdle suggested that it's b/c mail-order DVD is unprofitable, and they're planning to close it down.

[identity profile] ivy03.livejournal.com 2011-09-19 09:16 pm (UTC)(link)
After achieving such market dominance that they have no other competition. Great. That's great. It's not even like you could go to Blockbuster now.

[identity profile] firynze.livejournal.com 2011-09-19 04:07 pm (UTC)(link)
My thinking as well.

[identity profile] xannoside.livejournal.com 2011-09-19 02:55 pm (UTC)(link)

It's especially weird, because with Starz refusing to re-up, come February, the size of the streaming catalogue is going to plummet.

They want to keep the budgets separate, fine, but why *on earth* would you make I harder for customers to use your services when you know your value as a service is going to drop.

[identity profile] ivy03.livejournal.com 2011-09-19 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
And why would you rebrand it "Qwikster"? Why not rebrand it "Netflix Home" or "Netflix Classic" or something?