Title: What Netflix CEO hopes U.S. won't notice Post by: 3mnkids on September 23, 2010, 06:39:22 PM http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3if1d3902d12574ec222961f1deec0fd2b
Quote Netflix is now in Canada, offering local subscribers an online movie and TV streaming service for $7.99 a month. The move marks the first international foray for the California-based online streaming/DVD-by-mail giant. Etan Vlessing caught up with Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings in Toronto as he reaches beyond his 15 million American subscribers to start rolling out his online subscription service around the world. Quote THR: Are you concerned that American Netflix subscribers will look north and ask for the same discount Canadians get at $7.99? :buggedout: Hastings: How much has it been your experience that Americans follow what happens in the world? It's something we'll monitor, but Americans are somewhat self-absorbed. wow, way to insult 15 million American subscribers to netflix. Title: Re: What Netflix CEO hopes U.S. won't notice Post by: Joe the Destroyer on September 23, 2010, 07:30:58 PM As much as I agree that Americans really don't pay much attention to the rest of the world, I still feel this is a very careless remark. Being in a customer service-based company, he's really not in a position to be making cultural commentary, especially not of the scathing variety.
Title: Re: What Netflix CEO hopes U.S. won't notice Post by: Mr. DS on September 23, 2010, 07:39:07 PM Its not nice but I doubt I'll cancel my subscription over it. And self admiringly, I am a bit self absorbed. :teddyr:
Title: Re: What Netflix CEO hopes U.S. won't notice Post by: Rev. Powell on September 23, 2010, 09:41:05 PM If anything Canadians should be upset at paying a premium, as they only get streaming services and not DVD rentals. Maybe Netflix could offer streaming only with no DVD rentals for Americans for the same price.
Title: Re: What Netflix CEO hopes U.S. won't notice Post by: Joe the Destroyer on September 24, 2010, 05:48:02 AM Its not nice but I doubt I'll cancel my subscription over it. And self admiringly, I am a bit self absorbed. :teddyr: Yeah, I'm not going to hold it against Netflix. The CEO is also American, and made the statement as a self-deprecating joke. Unfortunately, sarcasm is difficult to pick up in the written word, and you know people. They will (and apparently already have) blow it out of proportion. EDIT: Wow... Google "Netflix CEO Americans" and see all the banter. One person even claimed that he called Americans "dumb as f**k," which he clearly didn't. With as fast as this has spread on the internet, the general public might give a crap in about a month. Might. Title: Re: What Netflix CEO hopes U.S. won't notice Post by: Jack on September 24, 2010, 06:18:37 AM I'd have to go with the joke theory, considering he's American himself. Not a very good joke at all, but corporate CEO's aren't usually known for their comic genius. Considering I watch 5 or 6 Netflix movies a week, I guess I'll let it slide :teddyr:
Title: Re: What Netflix CEO hopes U.S. won't notice Post by: 3mnkids on September 24, 2010, 06:52:58 AM Im not canceling my netflix over it but joke or not it was a very stupid thing to say. He should have just said they pay less because they dont get dvds in the mail.
Title: Re: What Netflix CEO hopes U.S. won't notice Post by: Mr. DS on September 24, 2010, 11:07:32 AM Perhaps he can make it up to me by expanding the streaming selection more frequently...hint hint.
Title: Re: What Netflix CEO hopes U.S. won't notice Post by: ulthar on September 24, 2010, 12:42:28 PM Perhaps he can make it up to me by expanding the streaming selection more frequently...hint hint. Yes or even add a Linux client... Title: Re: What Netflix CEO hopes U.S. won't notice Post by: 3mnkids on September 24, 2010, 01:02:05 PM http://blog.netflix.com/2010/09/apologies.html
Quote My Big American Foot is in my mouth. Yesterday, I made an awkward joke with a reporter in Toronto about Americans (like me) being self-absorbed relative to Netflix pricing in Canada. I was wrong to have made the joke, and I do not believe that one of the most philanthropically-minded nations in the world (America) is self-absorbed or full of self-absorbed people. The pricing Netflix is offering in Canada, $7.99 per month, does not include any DVD-by-mail option, and that is why it is cheaper than our $8.99 USA plan which has both DVD-by-mail and streaming in one plan. We are looking at adding a streaming-only option for the USA over the coming months. My apologies to anyone offended by my self-absorbed comment. Sincerely, -Reed |