Netflix has much delivered what could be a knock out punch to Blockbuster and other online movie rental services. I’m totally floored by what they’ve just rolled out.
So here’s the basic idea. Let’s say you have the popular Netflix 3 dvds out at a time plan. Well… for NO EXTRA COST, you now get 18 hours (about 9 movies) of FREE online movie streaming per month. Yes, you read that right. Not only do you still get your 3 dvds our at a time, but on top of that you get to watch streaming movies from Netflix (up to 18 hours worth on the 3 dvd plan). Holy crap!!
Yahoo News gives us this:
Online DVD rental company Netflix Inc is unveiling its long-awaited online movie delivery service which allows subscribers to watch about 1,000 movies and television shows on their personal computers at no additional charge.
Online movie viewing time is awarded to Netflix subscribers based on their rental plans, with entry-level subscribers getting six hours per month and those with the most popular plans–three DVDS at a time– getting 18 hours per month. Hastings said that although the free viewing time will not affect how frequently subscribers receive DVDs, he expects growing online usage to cut demand for DVDs by mail, and the company’s costs associated with buying and mailing them.
So not only do i get my 3 dvds at a time, i can also just walk over to my computer, log on, and instantly start watching another movie streaming. Curse netflix for not being available in Canada.
Well, all I can say is that if Netflix and Blockbuster online services were available in Canada, I would have just made a decision to go with Netflick.
The one weakness I’ve always seen with these online movie rental companies (like Netflix) is that they don’t meet the need of “instant gratification”. If I want to watch a movie NOW, then i can drive to Blockbuster and be watching my movie within about 20 minutes. With Netflix I have to wait a couple of days for the thing to show up in the mail. But this new streaming service address that problem with all guns firing! That’s it… there would be no reason for me NOT to sign up with Netflix now… except for that pesky “USA only” thing. Damn.
So what do you think of this new service?
