Netflix splitting into two companies

Jack · September 19, 2011, 08:00:45 AM

So Netflix will now be the streaming service, and Qwikster will be the DVD rental company. They will also be renting video games in the future.

http://www.screened.com/news/netflix-splits-itself-in-two-dvd-by-mail-service-renamed-qwikster-adds-games/2898/

Nightowl · September 19, 2011, 09:04:42 AM

And I was just enjoying the other recent split :( I will say, renting video games will be a plus even though I dont play video games. Does anyone have a date when they're gonna split?

Mr. DS · September 19, 2011, 10:38:36 AM

I'm kind of uncool with what Netflix is becomming. All these price hikes and sh!t are p!ssing me off. I've opted to go streaming only. Mark my words, if stuff like this nonsense keeps up the mom and pop video store will return to it's former glory.

Leah · September 19, 2011, 10:06:43 PM

Why? Just why? Netflix was going great, then made a few d!ckish moves, and now are going the wrong way. Again, I ask, Why?

The Gravekeeper · September 19, 2011, 11:12:00 PM

Well, it doesn't really affect me. Netflix doesn't rent DVDs out to Canadians (and the streaming selection sucks to the point that I really only use the service to watch documentaries and the few older gems they have since they don't seem to carry new releases). If they decide to be kind to us Canucks and let us rent video games, I'll be happy. With Blockbuster going under and pretty much every other brick-and-mortar store gone, there really isn't anywhere to rent games anymore and I sure as heck am not paying $60-70 to try out a new game.

Couchtr26 · September 20, 2011, 12:02:39 AM

I'm kind of split on this subject. I'm not enjoying it but can see that there is some possibility for expansion. Would like to see something done prior to their losing of the contract with Starz. Newer movies streaming and games would make it worth it for me. However, I am waiting to see how it pans out. Right now, not sounding very good.

JaseSF · September 20, 2011, 12:03:22 AM

Wal-Mart tends to sell titles that have been out for a while more in the $20-30 range. I always wait for the price to drop before I buy a game. I've learned too numerous DVDs will eventually end up in the $5 bin, some that when new sold for 20+ bucks.

FatFreddysCat · September 20, 2011, 09:41:16 AM

I never bothered with Netflix before and now that it seems like they're intent on committing commercial suicide, this certainly doesn't seem like the time to get on board.

Rev. Powell · September 20, 2011, 10:22:42 AM

I don't see any new changes happening except for a name change. It's not affecting me one way or another right now.

When Netflix first launched its streaming service I knew it was too good a deal to last. All the DVDs and all the streaming content you want for less than $10/month? It was too good to be true, but I enjoyed it while it lasted. I expect more price increases to come, and it will still be a bargain.

Nightowl · September 22, 2011, 12:14:16 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4d-di_n3QE

Criswell · September 22, 2011, 09:38:40 PM

Well Netflix seemed to have gotten greedy.

Oh well I never had it in the first place. Ill just stick to buying and renting

Mofo Rising · September 23, 2011, 03:32:27 AM

Netflix used to be such a friendly upstart company. The entirety of the reason to subscribe to Netflix was because they had a huge variety of films that you could rent. They weren't like Blockbuster. If you wanted to see some ridiculous '70s garbage, they could queue it up for you. They didn't have to spend shelf space pushing the latest garbage. The shelf space was now virtual, the shelf space wasn't an issue. And they killed Blockbuster, which was always a horrible company.

But somewhere along the line they got infected with a nasty strain of middle-management. "The people will like what we tell them to like!" Netflix has become so obsessed with streaming movies that they are willing to jettison the entire reason they exist.

Maybe they can make more money by turning to a streaming only model. But you know what? That model is destined to fail. We're in a transition mode for entertainment. Netflix may pride itself now for being on the forefront of streaming media, but that field will very, very quickly find itself clustered. As I speak I can watch movies on Hulu or Amazon. Netflix is very quickly going to find out what the meaning of competition really is. And once cable companies figure out this whole internet thing Netflix will go down the tubes. I've been a loyal Netflix subscriber for years, but they show no interest in my opinion.

I have no loyalty, I just want to watch the movies I want to watch. The only reason I'm not downloading it all for free is because I like your company. Get rid of that? Good luck.

Jim H · September 23, 2011, 04:44:12 PM

QuoteThe only reason I'm not downloading it all for free is because I like your company. Get rid of that? Good luck.

There's truth in that. I could download and relatively easily watch any movie for free I wanted to. I don't do it because I do want to support the industry and I like the convenience and quality for a fair price I get with services like NetFlix. And they're starting to take both of those things away from me. Granted that I'm not the average netflix consumer (most on this forum probably aren't) but it's still frustrating.

They're really jumping the gun on this, and the degree to which they raised prices was ridiculous when considering the amount of content I watch via NetFlix lately. I may jump ship... Haven't decided yet. But with the way DVD prices are now, for $27ish a month (what my fee is now) I could buy a movie or two a week and be spending about the same, and I'd end up with a nice DVD selection if I ever stop. Oh yeah, and the profit margin for the studios/labels is higher on those DVDs than on the rentals from NetFlix, and they're the ones I really want to have my money anyway. Blah.