Reed Hastings Is An Arrogant Jerk
In Mid July Netflix announced their change in pricing for subscriptions, effective September 1, and there was a shit-storm of anger coming from subscribers. Their Facebook page was flamed with nasty comments from users upset with the 60% increase. I was among them. I canceled my Netflix subscription within minutes of receiving the email. Some protesters organized a 'National Quit Netflix Day' for August 31. I don't know how that worked out but I heard they lost more than one millions users since July and their stock has dropped 1/3 because of lost revenue and a Starz movie deal that fell through.
It seems odd that people were so upset over a $6 per month cost increase but in tough economic times no one wants to get gouged by another greedy corporation. Can I afford the additional $6, of course I can, but given the fact I only watched 2-4 Netflix movies per month I decided to dump them. I love movies but I can't, nor do I care to, watch everything Hollywood pumps out.
The problem with the new pricing plan is simple. The streaming service is now $7.99 per month. The DVD-by-mail service is the same. They were previously a combined $9.99. Unfortunately for me neither package is suitable as a stand alone service. The streaming library is loaded with classic films I enjoy watching but lacks new releases. The DVD service has a better library, new and old, but I prefer streaming. Those DVDs sat around my house, in some cases for weeks, before I watched them. The combined price of $15.98 is not a good value considering I watch no more than one film per week.
I have not missed Netflix since dropping the service two months ago but I have been looking for an alternative. We started using Redbox this month. It lacks the classic film noir I enjoy but at $1.20 for a 24 hour rental it's hard to beat. I also like the fact you can shop for movies online to see what films are available in the machines nearest you.
Now the CEO of Netflix, Reed Hastings, sent an email to subscribers informing them Netflix will spin off their DVD rentals as a new company and subscribers to both will have accounts with two different companies and two billings should they decide to keep both streaming and DVDs. I can't speak for them but I suspect a few NF users who stood by the company by eating the 60% price hike are not happy.
Reed hastings is a clueless CEO who overstated the value and popularity of his service. Every move he makes is a misstep.
Netflix has sent me three emails since I quit inviting me to come back. I'm not interested. Someday, if the instant streaming library is increased to make the $7.99 a better value I might consider rejoining. It would also be great if they fire the CEO. I'll be surprised if Hastings has a job in six months.
It seems odd that people were so upset over a $6 per month cost increase but in tough economic times no one wants to get gouged by another greedy corporation. Can I afford the additional $6, of course I can, but given the fact I only watched 2-4 Netflix movies per month I decided to dump them. I love movies but I can't, nor do I care to, watch everything Hollywood pumps out.
The problem with the new pricing plan is simple. The streaming service is now $7.99 per month. The DVD-by-mail service is the same. They were previously a combined $9.99. Unfortunately for me neither package is suitable as a stand alone service. The streaming library is loaded with classic films I enjoy watching but lacks new releases. The DVD service has a better library, new and old, but I prefer streaming. Those DVDs sat around my house, in some cases for weeks, before I watched them. The combined price of $15.98 is not a good value considering I watch no more than one film per week.
I have not missed Netflix since dropping the service two months ago but I have been looking for an alternative. We started using Redbox this month. It lacks the classic film noir I enjoy but at $1.20 for a 24 hour rental it's hard to beat. I also like the fact you can shop for movies online to see what films are available in the machines nearest you.
Now the CEO of Netflix, Reed Hastings, sent an email to subscribers informing them Netflix will spin off their DVD rentals as a new company and subscribers to both will have accounts with two different companies and two billings should they decide to keep both streaming and DVDs. I can't speak for them but I suspect a few NF users who stood by the company by eating the 60% price hike are not happy.
Reed hastings is a clueless CEO who overstated the value and popularity of his service. Every move he makes is a misstep.
Netflix has sent me three emails since I quit inviting me to come back. I'm not interested. Someday, if the instant streaming library is increased to make the $7.99 a better value I might consider rejoining. It would also be great if they fire the CEO. I'll be surprised if Hastings has a job in six months.