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.
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:
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.
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.
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.