Netflix - News & Discussion
#1
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Thread Starter
Netflix - News & Discussion
Here's a thread for Netflix news, announcements, rumors and general discussion. Stuff that doesn't fit in the Netflix Recommendations or Netflix New Arrivals threads.
Netflix unveiled some of their future plans in the Q1 Investor's Letter (pdf).
I've been waiting for personalized profiles for a long time. Hopefully they don't screw it up when it's finally released.
Netflix unveiled some of their future plans in the Q1 Investor's Letter (pdf).
One change all users will notice is to its package of streaming plans, as CEO Reed Hastings mentioned an $11.99 per month option is incoming that will allow subscribers to stream as many four videos simultaneously, up from the current official limit of two. There's some question over whether Netflix will begin to crack down harder on account sharing, but Hastings claims he expects less than one percent of users to opt for the new plan. The company is also continuing to test the personalized profiles we got a peek at during CES, and expects to roll them out "in the coming months." Another major note is that as it expands its suite of original content, it's shifting focus away from some of existing "bulk, nonexclusive" licensing deals and will let a major one from Viacom expire in May. specifically referenced is content from Nickelodeon, MTV and BET, although it's negotiating for access to particular shows. In the future, it's preferred option will be exclusive deals with the studios that product the shows, like the one it announced earlier this year with Warner. Check after the break for a few more details, including updates on the progress of some of its original series.
Another item previewed in the letter is a new streaming platform coming to various devices around the holidays that will focus on small size and quick startup speed, "aiming to match the time required for a linear channel change." One of the big questions as it's started to roll out original content is how customers will react and while it's still not giving any specific viewership stats, Netflix did provide some new details. According to Reed, fewer than 8,000 people created a free account just to watch House of Cards and then quit. The just-released Hemlock Grove is reportedly doing well with young adults, and notched more viewers in its first weekend than HoC did.
FULL ARTICLE - http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/22/n...1-plans-to-le/
Another item previewed in the letter is a new streaming platform coming to various devices around the holidays that will focus on small size and quick startup speed, "aiming to match the time required for a linear channel change." One of the big questions as it's started to roll out original content is how customers will react and while it's still not giving any specific viewership stats, Netflix did provide some new details. According to Reed, fewer than 8,000 people created a free account just to watch House of Cards and then quit. The just-released Hemlock Grove is reportedly doing well with young adults, and notched more viewers in its first weekend than HoC did.
FULL ARTICLE - http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/22/n...1-plans-to-le/
#2
DVD Talk God
Re: Netflix - News & Discussion
#3
DVD Talk God
Re: Netflix - News & Discussion
#4
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: Netflix - News & Discussion
According to the Instant Watch Browser on the Roku, there were 279 new movies added this week.
#7
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Netflix - News & Discussion
Bummer on the Viacom bullshit, that stuff is more valuable than a slew of movies. Guess I should finally work my way through Rocko's Modern Life.
Though I'm pretty sure the biggest loss for them would be Yo Gabba Gabba.
Though I'm pretty sure the biggest loss for them would be Yo Gabba Gabba.
#8
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Netflix - News & Discussion
New Mini-series "The Fall" coming May 28th, co-production with the BBC, starring Gillian Anderson.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tP5Tl04gv3g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tP5Tl04gv3g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
#9
DVD Talk God
Re: Netflix - News & Discussion

I still think it's weird when Gillian does these British productions and speaks with the English accent.
#10
DVD Talk God
Re: Netflix - News & Discussion
FYI
All the PBS documentaries including the stuff from Ken Burns expires July 1st. If you've been procrastinating watching them, better get started ASAP.
All the PBS documentaries including the stuff from Ken Burns expires July 1st. If you've been procrastinating watching them, better get started ASAP.
#11
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Re: Netflix - News & Discussion
Netflix adds Disney Junior and Disney XD shows
Netflix has reached an agreement with the Disney/ABC Television group to become the only subscription streaming service to offer the popular children's shows "Jake and the Never Land Pirates" and the animated "Tron: Uprising."
The multiyear licensing deal also brings "Handy Manny," "Special Agent Oso" and "JoJo's Circus" to the movie and television service on a non-exclusive basis.
The announcement follows a high-profile agreement last December, in which Netflix won exclusive pay TV rights to Walt Disney Studio films -- including its Marvel's superhero pictures, Pixar's animated fare and Lucasfilm's "Star Wars."
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment...,3357469.story
Netflix has reached an agreement with the Disney/ABC Television group to become the only subscription streaming service to offer the popular children's shows "Jake and the Never Land Pirates" and the animated "Tron: Uprising."
The multiyear licensing deal also brings "Handy Manny," "Special Agent Oso" and "JoJo's Circus" to the movie and television service on a non-exclusive basis.
The announcement follows a high-profile agreement last December, in which Netflix won exclusive pay TV rights to Walt Disney Studio films -- including its Marvel's superhero pictures, Pixar's animated fare and Lucasfilm's "Star Wars."
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment...,3357469.story
#12
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Netflix - News & Discussion
PBS docs are expiring? Instead of Netflix closing contracts, are there any big ones they've gotten lately? First the 1200 moves that left on May 1st, then the Paramount deal, now this? I want to subscribe again but I'm disappointed that there aren't any real significant announcements for new stuff.
#13
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Netflix - News & Discussion
PBS docs are expiring? Instead of Netflix closing contracts, are there any big ones they've gotten lately? First the 1200 moves that left on May 1st, then the Paramount deal, now this? I want to subscribe again but I'm disappointed that there aren't any real significant announcements for new stuff.
$7.99 a month for House of Cards and new Arrested Development is more than worth the money IMHO. And they don't beat us over the head with adverts like Hulu does.
#14
Moderator
Re: Netflix - News & Discussion
I'd like to see a new pricing plan for Netflix: $6.99 for their current selection, $7.99 if you don't want "Hemlock Grove".
#15
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Netflix - News & Discussion
Could not agree more. This is the downside of them focusing on original content. I can live with losing some of that content I will never watch, but if I'm losing it to fund garbage like Hemlock Grove I have to question keeping Netflix.
#16
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: Netflix - News & Discussion
I don't blame them. The expiration dates are often inaccurate. And that whole "streampocalypse" thing was blown way out of proportion.
But I'm sad to see them slowly killing off the API tools. Netflix's own UI sucks. Those third party sites/apps do it much better.
But I'm sad to see them slowly killing off the API tools. Netflix's own UI sucks. Those third party sites/apps do it much better.
Netflix removes streaming expiration dates from API after 'Streampocalypse' hysteria
The end of April suddenly became very stressful for Netflix subscribers, as it was widely reported that nearly 1,800 titles would be disappearing from its Watch Instantly service in the US. Unfortunately, it likely caused a lot of tension in Los Gatos as well and tonight the company revealed it's changing its policies. Quickly dubbed "Streampocalypse," some blamed it on competition like Warner Archive Instant, despite many of the listed titles actually being related to Netflix's agreement with Epix. As we now know, on May 1st the sun rose once again and there are still some movies and TV shows to watch on Netflix streaming, but for just a few hours you might have thought that would not be the case.
The list came from the third-party site InstantWatcher, which we've long recommended to help users sort selections in ways not supported by the official page and apps including by year, Rotten Tomatoes rating or New York Times Critics' Picks. Starting today however, that will not include the ability to list "expiring soon" titles. As Daniel Jacobson posted to Netflix's API developer blog, it will stop including expiration dates in the public API. While we're sad to see the amount of data available to the public reduced and are still peeved over the public API being shelved entirely, after last week's incident we can certainly understand why. Netflix did not directly reference the incident in its statement, but one can certainly connect the dots -- read on for more information.
While long time watchers of Netflix's streaming catalog are more used to the movements of content in and out -- it's not at all uncommon to see titles on the expiring soon list end up not expiring due to deals simply being renewed -- casual viewers may see massive changes listed and not fully grasp what's going on, leading to mass confusion. Netflix had previously removed "coming soon" data from its API and pulled the RSS feed that listed newly added titles every day. Now, it's moving towards methods like push notifications in its mobile apps, Facebook integration and the upcoming rollout of individual profiles to keep recommendations relevant for specific household members. What we'd like to see are tools from Netflix that allow us more direct access to the data and ability to browse as we see fit -- as good as it says its algorithms are, sometimes we're in the mood to do the choosing in our own way.
http://www.engadget.com/2013/05/14/n...reampocalypse/
The end of April suddenly became very stressful for Netflix subscribers, as it was widely reported that nearly 1,800 titles would be disappearing from its Watch Instantly service in the US. Unfortunately, it likely caused a lot of tension in Los Gatos as well and tonight the company revealed it's changing its policies. Quickly dubbed "Streampocalypse," some blamed it on competition like Warner Archive Instant, despite many of the listed titles actually being related to Netflix's agreement with Epix. As we now know, on May 1st the sun rose once again and there are still some movies and TV shows to watch on Netflix streaming, but for just a few hours you might have thought that would not be the case.
The list came from the third-party site InstantWatcher, which we've long recommended to help users sort selections in ways not supported by the official page and apps including by year, Rotten Tomatoes rating or New York Times Critics' Picks. Starting today however, that will not include the ability to list "expiring soon" titles. As Daniel Jacobson posted to Netflix's API developer blog, it will stop including expiration dates in the public API. While we're sad to see the amount of data available to the public reduced and are still peeved over the public API being shelved entirely, after last week's incident we can certainly understand why. Netflix did not directly reference the incident in its statement, but one can certainly connect the dots -- read on for more information.
With the frequent, often last minute, changes in content flow the title expiration data available through our API has been inaccurate, so we have decided to no longer publish this information.
http://www.engadget.com/2013/05/14/n...reampocalypse/
#17
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Netflix - News & Discussion
And the Fleisher Superman cartoons are gone why? They're in the public domain! They've finally started broadcasting Wi-Fi at work, but the network use locks us out of most video sites like YouTube, as well as forums like this one. It doesn't seem to have locked me out of Netflix however! But figures that when they finally do it, But now Netflix dumps a whole bunch of their content! Story of my life.
Last edited by hanshotfirst1138; 05-28-13 at 10:58 PM.
#18
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Netflix - News & Discussion
Try Archive.org
#19
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Netflix - News & Discussion
They've blocked that too. Why'd they bother giving us wifi if we could only use it to look at pictures and text? That's like giving someone a car and telling them they can't drive it anywhere this isn't within walking distance.
#21
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: Netflix - News & Discussion
Engadget says that profiles are coming soon.
Netflix streaming user profiles to launch this summer, make account sharing easier
Ask Netflix Vice President of Product Innovation Todd Yellin what makes the streaming giant special, and he'll start telling you about algorithms, test groups and suggestion engines. "It's the revolution of TV," he explained to us at E3. "They used to send out a TV show and then they'd have no freaking idea who was watching it, how much they were watching ... it was just Nielsen diaries." A woefully inaccurate way to track content consumption, Yellin suggested. Netflix, on the other hand, can tell what folks are watching, when they are watching it, for how long and even on what device. Netflix uses all this information to offer users extremely specific suggestions and categories based on their recent use. The problem is, many families share a single account, and all their different tastes mix into a nonsensical mess. "You and your wife might have very different tastes," Yellin explained. "Why can't you have a profile, and she has a profile?" Separating the users on the family account would allow each user to get tailored suggestions based on their personal viewing experience. "We're finally launching it this summer."
Yellin pulled out an iPad, and showed the user-based sorting in action. It's pretty simple: loading up the app offers the user a one touch choice between profiles, which then drops into that person's tailored Netflix experience. Profiles can be aged locked, ensuring that profiles for children will only load up Netflix's kid hub -- fitting, since jumping between profiles is very similar to the firm's existing parental control solution. All in all, it seemed to be a very lightweight and pain free experience. The feature might not be useful for every Netflix user, but it sounds like a boon for families with wildly different tastes in content.
http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/11/n...user-profiles/
Ask Netflix Vice President of Product Innovation Todd Yellin what makes the streaming giant special, and he'll start telling you about algorithms, test groups and suggestion engines. "It's the revolution of TV," he explained to us at E3. "They used to send out a TV show and then they'd have no freaking idea who was watching it, how much they were watching ... it was just Nielsen diaries." A woefully inaccurate way to track content consumption, Yellin suggested. Netflix, on the other hand, can tell what folks are watching, when they are watching it, for how long and even on what device. Netflix uses all this information to offer users extremely specific suggestions and categories based on their recent use. The problem is, many families share a single account, and all their different tastes mix into a nonsensical mess. "You and your wife might have very different tastes," Yellin explained. "Why can't you have a profile, and she has a profile?" Separating the users on the family account would allow each user to get tailored suggestions based on their personal viewing experience. "We're finally launching it this summer."
Yellin pulled out an iPad, and showed the user-based sorting in action. It's pretty simple: loading up the app offers the user a one touch choice between profiles, which then drops into that person's tailored Netflix experience. Profiles can be aged locked, ensuring that profiles for children will only load up Netflix's kid hub -- fitting, since jumping between profiles is very similar to the firm's existing parental control solution. All in all, it seemed to be a very lightweight and pain free experience. The feature might not be useful for every Netflix user, but it sounds like a boon for families with wildly different tastes in content.
http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/11/n...user-profiles/

#22
Moderator
Re: Netflix - News & Discussion
Yeah, that's pretty cool. Right now my recommendations are based on a mixture Adventure Time, romantic comedies, and schlocky horror. It's surreal.
#23
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: Netflix - News & Discussion
Anyone on Verizon having some problems with Netflix?
Having problems with your Netflix? You can blame Verizon
If you are trying to get Netflix and use Verizon’s broadband, then there is a good chance that your video performance is less than optimal. Some Verizon customers might even go as far as calling it a crappy Netflix experience. The reason: a behind-the-scenes power play between Verizon and Cogent Communications , one of the largest bandwidth providers. The head-butting between these two companies is over an arcane concept known as peering.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/busine...25d_story.html
If you are trying to get Netflix and use Verizon’s broadband, then there is a good chance that your video performance is less than optimal. Some Verizon customers might even go as far as calling it a crappy Netflix experience. The reason: a behind-the-scenes power play between Verizon and Cogent Communications , one of the largest bandwidth providers. The head-butting between these two companies is over an arcane concept known as peering.
Spoiler:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/busine...25d_story.html
#25
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: Netflix - News & Discussion
Netflix Renews Deal with PBS
Netflix Inc. and PBS Distribution recently signed an expanded deal, which will bring two new exclusive series to subscribers. The renewed contract will help Netflix to stream The Bletchley Circle, a popular murder mystery show from UK and kids preschool series, Super Why!.
Netflix will also stream children shows such as Wild Kratts, Caillou and Arthur, documentaries such as Prohibition and Central Park Five and past seasons of non-fiction series like Nova and Secrets of the Dead.
http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/1030...-deal-with-pbs
Netflix Inc. and PBS Distribution recently signed an expanded deal, which will bring two new exclusive series to subscribers. The renewed contract will help Netflix to stream The Bletchley Circle, a popular murder mystery show from UK and kids preschool series, Super Why!.
Netflix will also stream children shows such as Wild Kratts, Caillou and Arthur, documentaries such as Prohibition and Central Park Five and past seasons of non-fiction series like Nova and Secrets of the Dead.
http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/1030...-deal-with-pbs