Movies | September 03, 2009 | 21 comments

For Netflix CEO, change is just a channel thing

Image
atomiclegion
For years now, those little red envelopes have been ubiquitous in America's mailboxes — as ubiquitous as the phrase, "It's in my Netflix queue."

But when you think about it, that movies-by-mail business sounds almost old-fashioned: In a digital age, it's movie rentals at the speed of a telegram.

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings acknowledges that from an operational perspective, he is juggling several balls at once. Hastings tells NPR's Ari Shapiro that even as the company expands its DVD-shipping business, it's also focusing on streaming movies — "making it very simple just to click and watch," whether on computers, through TiVos and other set-top boxes, or even straight to some newer TVs.
  1. groups:
    Entertainment,   Tech,   Movies,   Current Tonight,   4 more
  2. tags:
    TV and Film Streaming Video DVD Xbox Live 5 more
  3.     
    |

21 comments // For Netflix CEO, change is just a channel thing

  • booksellergirl
    • 0
      booksellergirl  
    • I love my Netflix just the way it is. Access to small indie films without hassles. Lots of choice. And they get the films to you mighty fast. Netflix rocks!

      I see streaming as a limiting factor. With streaming, just like today's on-demand from cable, I can see the studios and cable companies selecting what kinds of films they want us to see based on demographics and we would be right back to where we were before.

    • 2 years ago
  • redstarlady
    • 0
      redstarlady  
    • Either I have a "different universe" Netflix, or I'm just not correctly understanding what others mean by "streaming." I stream Instant Netflix movies on my MAC all the time, and it's just a matter of clicking the play button once I've opened the Netflix window. I watch it full window or smaller, depending on the quality. We also got a "Riko" box six months ago through the Netflix option of streaming through the TV, and it's fantastic. Never any waiting or problems streaming. All our instant movies are in one long line when Netflix opens; it's just a matter of clicking on the one we want, and using the small Riko remote for the usual functions. I've never seen any "pop-up ADS", other than the window that comes up after I make a choice to show other similar movies. My wish is that Netflix enlarges their inventory of instant movies.

    • 2 years ago
  • Drach
    • 0
      Drach  
    • they should work more on their game rental service. from what I understand people wait months to get one game that they want to play.

      Not good enough. Try harder

    • 2 years ago
  • hpseaton
  • michail77
    • 0
      michail77  
    • Streaming is good and the future but for video and audio quality nothing beats bluray in the consumer market now.

      Audio quality suffers with streaming services and the
      video gets compressed.

      Still, Apple has made a fortune with iTunes at selling inferior quality audio.

    • 2 years ago
  • CalgarC
  • kennymotown
  • hpseaton
  • samthesixth
  • Found_Avenue
    • 0
      Found_Avenue  
    • I don't mind getting my movies in the mail...
      It's kinda fun to anticipate a movie and get it, or to be surprised by something you forgot was on the queue!

    • 2 years ago
  • William_Velasquez
    • 0
      William_Velasquez  
    • I always liked using the mail service so i can take my DVD to my friends house or what have you but be able to stream other movies at the same time is great. plus i have slow internet service and my TV looks a lot better then my old PC

    • 2 years ago
  • modeliste
    • 0
      modeliste  
    • I can't forgive Netflix for their constant pop-up ads. The only thing more outdated than mailing DVDs is using pop-up ads in 2009!! Cut it out, Netflix!

    • 2 years ago
  • sarahlane
  • markrebec
  • mwrightchef
  • Stever_B
    • 0
      Stever_B  
    • The streaming capabilities of Netflix is in its infancy. I've tried it a few times through my TiVo and it's really a hit or miss thing -- the most popular time to stream (prime time) is also the most popular time for everyone else, so there's still LOTS of pauses and hiccups. Streaming in the morning or afternoon is almost flawless -- they'll get it right, but it will take awhile.

    • 2 years ago
  • LegendaryHater
    • 0
      LegendaryHater  
    • I honestly prefer to have a DVD instead of streaming movies. Not only because it seems like it would take forever to finish without interruption with anything less than cable or fiber optics, but my 13" laptop is no competition for my 52" TV.

      But it's always nice to have more options. So... yay?

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
  • hpseaton
more from Movies:

top videos