# So what do you think of Netflix's new pricing? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 12, 2011, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769 "2011-07-12T18:17:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/321 "2011-09-21T22:37:31Z")
> [@Strassia](#): > > According to the headline of your article the federal judge shutdown Zediva. If Netflix bought them or even were found to have provided them support, it would probably have a hugely negative impact on all future licensing negotiations with the studios. Netflix would end up with even less content unless they somehow prevailed in the suit. You are probably right, but I doubt Netflix is going to get any deals no matter how nice they are. The studios want to force everyone to pay per view for any recent content and the studios are going to try to drive them out of the streaming market. I wouldn’t be surprised if they try to eliminate the mail business and Redbox if they can. It wouldn’t shock me if they try to revive the old DIVX idea where the DVD is only good for a couple of weeks. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIVX](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIVX) It will fail again, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them try. One of my rules is, “If you put enough people in a room, there is no limit to how stupid an idea they can come up with.” ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/322 "2011-09-21T23:27:34Z")
> [@Invisible\_Chimp](#): > > Seriously, I hardly ever used streaming. There wasn’t enough selection for the kinds of movies I watch and it’s probably only going to get worse. Streaming is the future -say 2015 or so. I think DVD by mail is the now, and Netflix just signed their own death certificate. This. My daughter gave me her password a few months back and I was ASTOUNDED by how little was available streamed. ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/323 "2011-09-22T14:00:22Z")
One analyst is guessing (though with rationale that is about as convincing as any other theory) that the split is because Netflix wants to sell off the streaming side of its business: > **[Netflix To Sell Streaming Biz To Amazon, Analyst Theorizes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/ericsavitz/2011/09/22/netflix-to-sell-streaming-biz-to-amazon-analyst-theorizes/?partner=yahootix)** > > Now here's a theory I haven't heard before. Wedbush analyst Michael Pacther this morning floated the notion that the real goal of the Netflix decision to split the business in two was to prepare for the sale of the streaming business to Amazon.com.... ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/324 "2011-09-22T14:12:31Z")
Interesting idea. But if Reed Hastings wants to keep the DVD-by-mail service and sell the streaming one to Amazon, why give up the name Netflix? If Amazon acquires the streaming service, it could brand it as Amazon, while the DVD-by-mail service keeps the Netflix name it’s always had. ---
**Author:** ![Kansas\_Beekeeper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@Kansas\_Beekeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kansas_Beekeeper)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/325 "2011-09-22T18:01:28Z")
> [@Raza](#): > > One analyst is guessing (though with rationale that is about as convincing as any other theory) that the split is because Netflix wants to sell off the streaming side of its business: > > [Netflix To Sell Streaming Biz To Amazon, Analyst Theorizes](http://www.forbes.com/sites/ericsavitz/2011/09/22/netflix-to-sell-streaming-biz-to-amazon-analyst-theorizes/?partner=yahootix) I don’t think the theory works. Couldn’t Amazon duplicate Netflix streaming on its own without buying Netflix? Amazon already has limited streaming for those with Prime membership, and the barriers to full scale entry into the market seem low, so long as a company is willing to pay to buy the content. Amazon doing it on its own would have the advantage of not potentially getting Reed Hastings as part of the bargain. I can see a lot of reasons Reed Hastings would want Amazon to buy Netflix. I can’t see a lot of reasons Amazon would want to. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/326 "2011-09-22T20:44:49Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > This. My daughter gave me her password a few months back and I was ASTOUNDED by how little was available streamed. If you’re looking for mainstream/popular movies, yes, the selection is disappointing. If you’re looking for TV, there are a ton of great TV shows on streaming. Star Trek, The Twilight Zone, Lie to Me, Battlestar Galactica, Futurama, Breaking Bad, a ton of anime selections - hell, they’ve got the entire Cosby Show on streaming. We hardly ever watch cable anymore, thanks to Netflix instant. As for movies, they may not have what’s popular, but there are plenty of good films there. There are some excellent documentaries and foreign films. It’s really a treasure trove, but to really fully get the best out of it, you have to accept that it isn’t your local blockbuster. You have to be willing to say, ‘‘I’ve never heard of this,’’ and watch it anyway. And chances are you will be pleasantly surprised. In case it’s not obvious, the changes don’t really bother me. We already took our price hit so we’re going to continue with both the streaming and DVD-mail services. I will be pleased if the streaming selection improves, but I think it’s pretty damn good as it is. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/327 "2011-10-10T16:17:33Z")
I guess Netflix pulled the same strategy as CocaCola back in the mid 80’s with the introduction of New Coke. They have now reneged on their aforementioned strategy and will put things back the way the were. [http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20111010-707957.html](http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20111010-707957.html) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769.md?page=16)