Netflix reeling from customer losses, site outage(msnbc.msn.com)
msnbc.msn.com
Netflix reeling from customer losses, site outage
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19932882/
2 comments
The only thing that can save Netflix now is if they build a great way for people to rent videos by downloading them. It can be a software or a hardware solution. They were pioneers in their field when they started, and they need to be pioneers again now to survive.
I completely agree, they do need to get that pioneering spirit back into the product line.
Although I think the movie studios are a bigger hurdle to digital delivery then almost any company can overcome. The sheer amount of DRM that they will need to place into any product they create will make it nearly useless and no one will make any money off of it because no one will want to use it.
So here is a good question: How do you solve the DRM vs consumer rights problem while still making money and not getting sued out of existence?
If Netflix answered this one question they would be more then relevant again.
Although I think the movie studios are a bigger hurdle to digital delivery then almost any company can overcome. The sheer amount of DRM that they will need to place into any product they create will make it nearly useless and no one will make any money off of it because no one will want to use it.
So here is a good question: How do you solve the DRM vs consumer rights problem while still making money and not getting sued out of existence?
If Netflix answered this one question they would be more then relevant again.
Blockbuster is a dinosaur. Big, ugly, moves slow. Look how many years it took them to copy the netflix model.
Netflix can still move faster. They need to add value beyond the movies themselves, and also give something more convenient (digital delivery) than even a blockbuster store. They can give better recommendations, have films blockbuster won't carry, etc.
But if they are going to compete on price only, they're screwed.
Netflix can still move faster. They need to add value beyond the movies themselves, and also give something more convenient (digital delivery) than even a blockbuster store. They can give better recommendations, have films blockbuster won't carry, etc.
But if they are going to compete on price only, they're screwed.
aren't they going to offer downloads soon? i could have sworn i read something about that officially from them...
This looks more like a case where a great idea has been taken over buy business people, who are now playing by old business rules. I'm not sure what it would take to compete in this field right now, but they need something more compelling then matching their competitors prices.
Their 'Watch Now' feature is great, although limited by the selection you can watch (although it is still in BETA) and I use to at least weekly while I am eating lunch or something else.
The real problem that they need to figure out is how to become more emotionally involved with their customers. How do they get back to the days when a subscriber would encourage all of their friends to join and saving $1 a month simply isn't enough.