According to latest indications by Netflix CEO, Reed Hastings, Netflix will no longer put any extra marketing resources to attract new DVD/Blu-ray rental subscribers. On the other hand, Netflix is expecting continued growth in its streaming service, which is becoming increasing popular, but until they add a lot more titles to their streaming library, and a lot more potential subscribers have access to adequate broadband service at reasonable rates, streaming still has a long way to go to beat physical DVD and Blu-ray discs in both quantity and quality. Streaming may be getting a lot of hype, but there are still millions of consumers that either prefer, or out of necessity, access a large portion of their video entertainment via Blu-ray Discs and DVDs.
For more on this continuing story, read the reports from CNET and Multichannel News.
Comments
Robert has taken the words right out of my mouth. Netflix has lost it’s focus, concentrating on the more PROFITABLE streaming service, while ignoring for many streaming isn’t available or cannot afford the rates of those who offer broadband. The issue of content is the NO. 1 issue, as there is significant content on dvd that is not available ’streaming’ and for myself, Netflix offers BluRay which I rarely will pay their high prices to own, particularly when it can be conveniently rented. PS: Have been with Netflix for four years, two for streaming though it has been an uphill battle to obtain decent STANDARD definition streaming service. HD being five years down the road locally.
Another big problem with streaming is that Netflix was never able to provide captioning or subtitles for hearing impaired on most of their movies. Only foreign films had subtitles and certainly not SDH. Why has not anyone taken this challenge on?