Hefty Netflix price increase

Netflix eyes cable.

http://techland.time.com/2012/03/08/a-netf...y-right-for-us/

And another article. What I'm getting from these is that Netflix is trying to offer streaming through regular cable outlets not create a traditional programmed cable channel. But maybe I'm misreading it.

Something I'd wondered about since the start of streaming but never saw discussed is the position that places Netflix. If they buy a DVD then it can be legally rented all they want and even over the objection of the rights holder but streaming requires the participation or at least agreement of the rights holder who could terminate it or increase fees giving them control that didn't exist with DVDs. And now that's what Netflix is struggling with.

It seems that with original programming Netflix is trying to go the "quality" HBO route instead of bulking up on inexpensive comedy or musical performances, talk shows, etc. I do wonder why they don't go after more older movies or even British material a lot of which is already digitized and probably doesn't cost that much. Sure there's not a big audience draw to 30s or even 70s films but it would give Netflix bragging rights about how much they're offering. And just imagine if they could grab stuff that's coming out on Warner Archive or some of Turner's holdings or that BBC Shakespeare series or what have you - it would really attract film buffs and we can be pretty vocal.

All I know is that being a Netflix subscriber (streaming only) has less appeal with each passing headline. And now it wants to be part of my already overloaded cable bill? I may need that eight bucks to cover that.

Basically, Netflix has two major problems. The first is the problem that we video store owners have had for decades... the studios HATE us. They also hate Netflix, maybe even more at this point. They will never play ball for those streaming rights.

Second, and maybe most important, is that when Netflix started their competition was Blockbuster, Movie Gallery, Hollywood Video, indie stores... small potatoes. NOW their competition is Verizon, Apple, AT&T, Comcast, Amazon, etc. Pretty daunting.

Netflix just brought QUINCY, M.E. back for streaming, with several episodes that weren't available last time around, including the legendary "Next Stop...Nowhere!"

Yessssssss. Several other Universal dramas are streaming, including COLUMBO, MCMILLAN AND WIFE, EMERGENCY, THE ROCKFORD FILES, and MCCLOUD. Also STAR TREK, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, and HAWAII FIVE-0. Who needs Me-TV?

Well, Netflix still doesn't have CANNON yet.

I'm sure most folks here have heard of Streamageddon, but for those not in the know, here is a piece summing up how Netflix lost 1,794 streaming titles today.

http://gothamist.com/2013/04/30/1794_title...ar_from_net.php

And that's why I buy physical media.

If such a fuss hadn't erupted online, I doubt I'd have noticed. I just checked and my queue is at 355, so I guess I lost around 10-15 titles. Off the top of my head, the only things I can actually ID are a couple of Bonds.

I tend to agree, although I'm glad I saw it coming and watched a couple of them over the weekend. I didn't make quite the marathon of them that I intended, although, to some extent, that should say something about my enthusiasm level on a number of the titles.

I was looking forward to watching some of those Hammer titles with my wife down the line, but that's as good a reason as any to just bite the bullet and buy them.

As this seems to have turned into something like a general Netflix discussion thread... I, believe it or not, don't have a subscription yet, but as the last brick & mortar, mom & pop video stores close in NYC, I'm resigning myself to the inevitability.

A question: a few years ago when the writing on the wall had become clearly legible and I was first thinking about this, I spent some time looking through the catalogs for Netflix and a couple other smaller, boutique services like Greencine. This week I went back to look at Netflix again and it seems you can't browse through their entire collection anymore without signing up. This seems bizarre to me and I feel like I must be missing something somewhere. I'm curious to take another look, as I've heard their collection of less mainstream stuff (which I found pretty impressive last time) has shrunk noticeably. Also, I'm about to place a large order or two with a Hong Kong e-tailer and figured I may as well check my list against Netflix to see what I don't need to bother buying.

Thanks, all.