It seems as though Netflix does not want to order more Blu-Ray titles in spite of their customers. I am not suprised by this action, on March 26, 2007, Founder and CEO of Netflix Reed Hastings joined the Board of Directors at Microsoft.
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/b...s/default.mspx

With Microsoft's money and influence it seems as though Netflix and Reed Hastings do not care what their customers want. Instead they are telling us to go buy a LG box so we can download 720p and Dolby Digital.

"Reed's track record for delivering innovative and disruptive technologies to market is very impressive," said Microsoft chairman Bill Gates. "With his rich consumer and technology background, he will be a tremendous addition to our board."

"There are very few companies that rival Microsoft's impact on the way millions of people live, work and play around the world," Hastings said. "I look forward to working with Microsoft's esteemed group of board members to help shape the direction of the company as it continues to tackle the biggest industry challenges and opportunities."
http://www.hackingnetflix.com/2007/0...x_ceo_ree.html

If you recall Netflix stock plunged back in July 2007...
"For the first time in their eight-year history, Netflix (NFLX) subscribers declined in numbers for a quarter. As of the end of June, the company lost 55,000 customers from the beginning of April."
http://www.bizofshowbiz.com/2007/07/...r_answers.html


So it looks like Netflix could care less what its customers want and with Microsoft is trying to force customers to choose a certain product. I would suggest buying put options on Netflix stock and canceling your subscription. Maybe that will send a message to Mr. Hastings.

You know what their customers want more than they do how?

Maybe Blu won't sell more to NF since it cuts into sales of discs. Who knows?

Then again the loss of customers could be an indicator of economic the sky is falling hysteria. People cut out luxuries if they think there will be a downturn.

Maybe Netflix is tired of having to buy new Blu-ray movies once they get scratched. After all, they can't be resurfaced like a DVD or HD DVD and made as good as new. Once a Blu-ray disc is scratched they have to be thrown out.

Maybe Netflix is tired of having to buy new Blu-ray movies once they get scratched. After all, they can't be resurfaced like a DVD or HD DVD and made as good as new. Once a Blu-ray disc is scratched they have to be thrown out.

Please. What twaddle. I imagine you have something to back this misinformation up, don't you?

They are not stocking enough HD DVDs either, so I don't think it's some kind of anti-Blu conspiracy.

I've had Stardust and Eastern Promises in my queue since they came out, and both still read "Very Long Wait". :mad:

He11, I only just got Knocked Up a few weeks ago, despite having it in my queue since release.

He11, I only just got Knocked Up a few weeks ago

Congratulations! Are you hoping for a boy or a girl? :D

Maybe Netflix is tired of having to buy new Blu-ray movies once they get scratched. After all, they can't be resurfaced like a DVD or HD DVD and made as good as new. Once a Blu-ray disc is scratched they have to be thrown out.

Now, there's a healthy dose of FUD.

MS want people to download = fact

I didn't know about this connection, wow it makes me sad.

To the OP, what information are you basing this on? What exactly makes you think that Netflix is not listening to their customers? BD and HD DVD is a very small market right now. The large customer base is SD DVD, and frankly, with this format war, if I ran Netflix I wouldn't be investing heavily on either format until it all levels out. Being short on HD movies may anger some early adopter customers like us, but once this takes off everything will be just fine.

As far as their download service and future streamer box, they haven't said anything the content being in HD.

Maybe Netflix is tired of having to buy new Blu-ray movies once they get scratched. After all, they can't be resurfaced like a DVD or HD DVD and made as good as new. Once a Blu-ray disc is scratched they have to be thrown out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5jEbZt6AIQ

Maybe I'm just lucky with my distribution center, but I just got The Game Plan and Saw IV and they came out last week or so. I only have a few movies that say "Long Wait". Of course, I also live in OK, and those two movies probably aren't high on other's lists.

Now, this is just what I've heard (so no flames please), but I've heard they are only allowed so many discs from studios because it does cut into profits.......for both formats! Many people are sitting on the fence and renting and the studios just aren't selling that many HDM discs.

Now, there's a healthy dose of FUD.
There's a section of the Insiders thread that adresses ability to resurface Blu-Ray discs. No Blu-Ray Insider even attempted to suggest that they could be resurfaced, and an executive for a company that sells consumer repair solutions said it can't be done. In this case, I'd suggest it's up to the Blu-Ray side to provide the link to a solution that consumers can easily and reliably use to repair a scratched Blu-Ray disc.

Maybe Blu won't sell more to NF since it cuts into sales of discs. Who knows?


I don't think any of us KNOW, but I'd speculate that this is the most likely reason. It is important for HDM to sell software, or the whole idea isn't financially viable. Restricting HDM rentals seems to be a sensible way to help encourage sales. Sure, it doesn't make Netflix and BlockbusterOnline people happy, but those early adopters are the ones most likely to spend the money to get the ball rolling.

A decade ago, I had a DVD player for a year and the Blockbuster staff didn't even know what they were, much less have a big selection for me to rent. It's still very early in the HDM game.

netflix has been pushing downloads recently...

netflix has been pushing downloads recently...

much easier for them, they dont have to buy multiple copies to cater to a customer base, one digital copy serves all.

It seems as though Netflix does not want to order more Blu-Ray titles in spite of their customers. I am not suprised by this action, on March 26, 2007, Founder and CEO of Netflix Reed Hastings joined the Board of Directors at Microsoft.
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/b...s/default.mspx

With Microsoft's money and influence it seems as though Netflix and Reed Hastings do not care what their customers want. Instead they are telling us to go buy a LG box so we can download 720p and Dolby Digital.

"Reed's track record for delivering innovative and disruptive technologies to market is very impressive," said Microsoft chairman Bill Gates. "With his rich consumer and technology background, he will be a tremendous addition to our board."

"There are very few companies that rival Microsoft's impact on the way millions of people live, work and play around the world," Hastings said. "I look forward to working with Microsoft's esteemed group of board members to help shape the direction of the company as it continues to tackle the biggest industry challenges and opportunities."
http://www.hackingnetflix.com/2007/0...x_ceo_ree.html

If you recall Netflix stock plunged back in July 2007...
"For the first time in their eight-year history, Netflix (NFLX) subscribers declined in numbers for a quarter. As of the end of June, the company lost 55,000 customers from the beginning of April."
http://www.bizofshowbiz.com/2007/07/...r_answers.html


So it looks like Netflix could care less what its customers want and with Microsoft is trying to force customers to choose a certain product. I would suggest buying put options on Netflix stock and canceling your subscription. Maybe that will send a message to Mr. Hastings.

Here's a quote from Reed Hastings from last week (01/23/08) which pretty much debunks all these conspiracy theories you have hatched. According to Reed, it would be a positive thing for Netflix if high-definition (Blu-Ray) video discs take off:

"Looking forward, it appears that Blu-ray has the advantage in the format war, and consumer adoption of Blu-ray will likely accelerate if Blu-ray can maintain the advantage. The milestones to watch for are Blu-ray player prices falling below $200, and Universal and Paramount also announcing their support for Blu-ray.

If these two milestones are reached, the consumer adoption of Blu-ray will take off. This would be a positive for the studios and a positive for Netflix, as it would fuel another decade of robust disc-based entertainment."

http://seekingalpha.com/article/61343-netflix-inc-q4-2007-earnings-call-transcript?page=2

I don't think any of us KNOW, but I'd speculate that this is the most likely reason. It is important for HDM to sell software, or the whole idea isn't financially viable. Restricting HDM rentals seems to be a sensible way to help encourage sales. Sure, it doesn't make Netflix and BlockbusterOnline people happy, but those early adopters are the ones most likely to spend the money to get the ball rolling.

A decade ago, I had a DVD player for a year and the Blockbuster staff didn't even know what they were, much less have a big selection for me to rent. It's still very early in the HDM game.

Seriously, this is a ridiculous theory. Sony, Fox, and Disney really don't sell that many Blu-Ray discs. So they are going to limit the number of Blu-Ray discs that they sell to Netflix. So Blu Netflix customers will then tell their friends about how Netflix won't ship them Blu-Ray discs. So their friends won't buy Blu-Ray players manufactured by Panasonic, Samsung, and Sony. So their friends won't be able to buy Sony, Fox, or Disney Blu-Ray movies.

Did you ever think about it that way?

Netflix gets Weinstein movies even though they are Blockbuster exclusives (and BB paid Weinstein a pretty penny for these "exclusives") because Netflix can purchase these movies at a retail store and then rent them through the First-Sale Doctrine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-sale_doctrine

I personally think it is the studios that don't want you to rent.

They want you to buy.

Sorry but I will stick to renting.

I also have a a dvr so I can record and own my movies for free on hbo. I only pay $5/month for HBO.

So is Blockbuster Online a better choice right now?

As of a couple of months ago, HDM rentals represented about only 1% of Netflix's business; it's unlikely to be more than 2% now. So, sadly, I think they are responding to about 98% of their customer base by focusing on SD DVD's. And, for that reason, it's not hard to believe that: 1) they don't stock too many copies of either BD or HD DVD discs; 2) supply of HDM has not kept up with increased demand; 3) we early adopters get the short end of the stick.

Tinfoil hats all around. Hurrah! :D

We havent had an issue getting HD-DVD versions of movies.

They are not stocking enough HD DVDs either, so I don't think it's some kind of anti-Blu conspiracy.

I've had Stardust and Eastern Promises in my queue since they came out, and both still read "Very Long Wait". :mad:

He11, I only just got Knocked Up a few weeks ago, despite having it in my queue since release.


Its not about Blu-Ray or HD-DVD..Its about dowloads. With Reed Hastings joining Microsoft's BOD, Microsoft has his ear. Its clear that Microsoft could care less about HD-DVD and is only worried about downloads. Netflix is going down a very dangerous path of listening to Microsoft instead of catering to their paying customers. Buy put options on Netflix and cancel your membership. That will get Reed Hastings attention.

Here's a quote from Reed Hastings from last week (01/23/08) which pretty much debunks all these conspiracy theories you have hatched. According to Reed, it would be a positive thing for Netflix if high-definition (Blu-Ray) video discs take off:

"Looking forward, it appears that Blu-ray has the advantage in the format war, and consumer adoption of Blu-ray will likely accelerate if Blu-ray can maintain the advantage. The milestones to watch for are Blu-ray player prices falling below $200, and Universal and Paramount also announcing their support for Blu-ray.

If these two milestones are reached, the consumer adoption of Blu-ray will take off. This would be a positive for the studios and a positive for Netflix, as it would fuel another decade of robust disc-based entertainment."

http://seekingalpha.com/article/61343-netflix-inc-q4-2007-earnings-call-transcript?page=2

I don't listen to talk...I look at someones actions to tell me what they are doing or thinking about doing. Its worked out very well for me so far.

Done.