Qwikster: Netflix's NGE

[Yegolev]

The more I watch this, the more I think this is the New Coke 2011: a wonderful, beautiful case study that will keep MBA programs alive and ticking for years to come as a "teachable moment".

Well, New Coke wasn't actually a failure, it was just painted as one.  This is different, mostly in that New Coke wasn't the idea of a grocery store but rather the idea of TCCC itself.

I probably should have floated in here and doomcasted on that day when I found I could stream crap from adultswim.com and fx.com instead of Netflix.  I'm actually fine with the content-producers delivering their own shit as long as I can conveniently get it, which makes Roku look great to me.  I was already trying to think of a convenient way to plug amazon.com into my TV since I think I've seen all of the non-crap movies on Netflix streaming at this point.

[WayAbvPar]

Also, New Coke tasted like warmed over shit.

[HaemishM]

So does Qwikster. 

[MuffinMan]

I've often wondered why Coca-Cola doesn't bring back New Coke for a limited time. It would sell well to 20 somethings that weren't around for the debacle. People would buy it even if it tastes like ass, just like they do with Dr. Pepper.

[Trippy]

Also, New Coke tasted like warmed over shit.

New Coke was awesome. Pepsi is too sweet, Coke not sweet enough, New Coke was just right

[Ingmar]

Yeah I liked it a lot myself.

[Mrbloodworth]

All I want is one place on a device I have that I can stream anything I want including current shows. I have the budget of my current cable subscription to spend on this mythical service.

For me, Streaming means two things. No commercials, and watch things when I want to. I refuse to have 5 different streaming accounts or 10 devices. Everyone scrambling to start their own custom service is the best way to alienate someone like me.

[Yegolev]

Heh, I thought I had told this story already.  You were not supposed to like New Coke, rather you were supposed to be glad to see the version which came immediately after it.

[UnsGub]

I refuse to have 5 different streaming accounts or 10 devices.

Mulitple devices are the future.

The future is one can be anywhere (home, plane, car, street, coffee shop, etc.) with any device (TV, tablet, phone, etc.) and watch any show.  It will be seamless.  People will have to pay for it.

[RhyssaFireheart]

I've often wondered why Coca-Cola doesn't bring back New Coke for a limited time. It would sell well to 20 somethings that weren't around for the debacle. People would buy it even if it tastes like ass, just like they do with Dr. Pepper.

Screw you.  Dr Pepper is heaven compared to the overly-sweet and overly-carbonated crap that is Pepsi and Coke (although I will drink Coke when DP is not available).

[Sky]

Everyone scrambling to start their own custom service is the best way to alienate someone like me.

Steam is making game publishers retarded in a similar way.

[Bann]

People would buy it even if it tastes like ass, just like they do with Dr. Pepper.

You shut your whore mouth!

[Numtini]

I liked New Coke, but then I prefer Pepsi and like cola to be somewhat sweeter. My preferences are so strong that I haven't bought anything but store brand for the last 20 or so years.

In terms of devices, I don't mind switching from the netflix app to the hulu app on my Roku, but there's a limit to the number of physical devices I'm going to put up with. I only have so many inputs.

This is even more of an issue with non-tech people. When I was on the cable committee the single biggest request we got was that people didn't want to have any sort of set top box at all. (We'd previously had an aging system with the decoders on the poles, so no STB even with premiums.) Just this year, a few towns over, the selectmen called the cable company rep in front of a public meeting and called on them to stop adding new HD content and instead preserve the ability to access basic cable without a STB. (Thankfully comcast told them to stuff it.)

I don't think this is just an age issue either as despite an explanation and a Logitech Harmony that does all the device switching for them, most of our guests have been totally mystified by a fairly simple cable -> receiver -> tv combination. Can't get over needing to turn the stereo on for sound on the tv.

[Tannhauser]

I like 'Mexican' Coke with real sugar.  I get it at Earth Fare.

New Coke wasn't that bad.  Ah, the 80's...

[Merusk]

I refuse to have 5 different streaming accounts or 10 devices.

Mulitple devices are the future.

The future is one can be anywhere (home, plane, car, street, coffee shop, etc.) with any device (TV, tablet, phone, etc.) and watch any show.  It will be seamless.  People will have to pay for it.

I'm pretty sure he didn't mean devices that way, but a roku, an apple TV and a PS3 all hooked into his TV.

This is even more of an issue with non-tech people. When I was on the cable committee the single biggest request we got was that people didn't want to have any sort of set top box at all. (We'd previously had an aging system with the decoders on the poles, so no STB even with premiums.) Just this year, a few towns over, the selectmen called the cable company rep in front of a public meeting and called on them to stop adding new HD content and instead preserve the ability to access basic cable without a STB. (Thankfully comcast told them to stuff it.)

I don't think this is just an age issue either as despite an explanation and a Logitech Harmony that does all the device switching for them, most of our guests have been totally mystified by a fairly simple cable -> receiver -> tv combination. Can't get over needing to turn the stereo on for sound on the tv.

It's not entirely about being techhy or not.  I hate the look of a cable box sitting around my TV and would prefer that they not encode all this shit so my (HD capable) TV is able to decode it on its own.  I also DESPISE that I'm charged $4 a month for something that's required for the service I'm paying for in the first place.   Add fees are one of the most infuriating gimmicks of the last decade.

Plus, I've got a remote that came with my TV.. too bad its useless because I'm required to use the uglier, less-featured and oft-malfunctioning (even after replacement) cable remote.

[WayAbvPar]

I would also love to be able to use PIP. Every TV has it, almost no one can use it. It is a crime.

[Strazos]

People would buy it even if it tastes like ass, just like they do with Dr. Pepper.

Heathen.

[Lantyssa]

I like 'Mexican' Coke with real sugar.  I get it at Earth Fare.

I found out Costco sells 24 packs of the Mexican Coke for $16.

Now if they could make a Mexican Coke with Lime...

[SnakeCharmer]

Get Mexican coke.  Get knife.  Get lime.  Cut.  Squeeze into drink?

[Rasix]

5 steps? Fuck off.

[Khaldun]

The interesting question is how much would people pay for a monthly service that basically gave you continuous access to almost all content in any media library that was older than six months?

I'd pay $60-75 if it was genuinely comprehensive. I'd probably cancel every other media subscription, in fact, including cable.

[Arrrgh]

I like 'Mexican' Coke with real sugar.  I get it at Earth Fare.

I found out Costco sells 24 packs of the Mexican Coke for $16.

Now if they could make a Mexican Coke with Lime...

http://drinks.seriouseats.com/2011/09/the-food-lab-drinks-edition-is-mexican-coke-better-than-regular-coke-coke-taste-test-coke-vs-mexican-coke.html

I still like Mexican coke since I'd rather drink sugar than HFCS.

[Lantyssa]

http://drinks.seriouseats.com/2011/09/the-food-lab-drinks-edition-is-mexican-coke-better-than-regular-coke-coke-taste-test-coke-vs-mexican-coke.html

Cool little test, but he proved the one important thing -- they taste differently.  And it's that taste which matters to me.  (Just as I found Coke+Lime > Coke.)  But then I'm super-sensitive to sweeteners.  All the artificial ones I've tried taste exceptionally bad to me.

Container does affect the taste, too, but I've known that for decades.

[Chimpy]

You people keep talking about "Mexican Coke" and I can't help but think "Coke is made primarily in Colombia, you jackoffs."

Then I remember you are talking about the beverage.

[Sheepherder]

Be a man, drink beer.

[Ard]

Be a man, drink beer.

Does... not... compute...

[Margalis]

Cancelled NetFlix entirely today. Haven't been using it much recently lately. Streaming selection too limited in the genres I like.

[Mrbloodworth]

I'm pretty sure he didn't mean devices that way, but a roku, an apple TV and a PS3 all hooked into his TV.

Yep. To many streaming services right now require unique hardware. Fuck that.

[Sky]

Plus, I've got a remote that came with my TV.. too bad its useless because I'm required to use the uglier, less-featured and oft-malfunctioning (even after replacement) cable remote.

We got cable put back in Tuesday and I just got around to programming the remote for my stuff last night. The new Time-Warner remote is fucking god-awful. Sure, it's nice that I can set it up for my non-tech fiancee, press power and everything turns on/off, volume works the receiver volume, etc (though I can't make the video input switcher work, so the tv remote still sits on the table  ).

But they have utterly destroyed the ergonomics of it, at least the last iteration had a decent hand; that is, it sat nicely in the hand and the buttons were more or less accessible. Although the last version of that iteration slapped a bunch of TW-specific buttons in the natural thumb spot, you could pretty easily train around it. Now they've ditched the comfort completely, with hard plastic points for a couple inches of flat recess instead of the gentle curve. I'm trying to decide which part I like least: making a giant ON DEMAND section in the center and making the things we actually use (volume/channel; guide/info; DVR controls) out of the "comfort" thumb region...or the fact that they've ditched all the custom larger buttons for said features and made a ton of almost-uniform tiny buttons instead.

[Numtini]

We gave in a while back and bought a Logitech Harmony. It's been one of the best splurges we've done.

The latest on netflix is speculation that they split the business not to sell of the DVDs, but to sell off the streaming to Amazon. While it seems strange that an industry leader would sell themselves off, it's the first concept that actually makes splitting off DVDs (rather than slowly winding them down) seem sensible. Apparently the dvd business would be a poison pill for amazon because it would hurt their sales tax battle with the states as netflix has physical infrastructure everywhere.

[KallDrexx]

The latest on netflix is speculation that they split the business not to sell of the DVDs, but to sell off the streaming to Amazon. While it seems strange that an industry leader would sell themselves off, it's the first concept that actually makes splitting off DVDs (rather than slowly winding them down) seem sensible. Apparently the dvd business would be a poison pill for amazon because it would hurt their sales tax battle with the states as netflix has physical infrastructure everywhere.

Interesting theory, but I don't get the branding if that was the case.  I would keep Netflix branded for DVDs and Qwikster (I hate typing that word) for streaming, since if Amazon buys them then streaming will be branded under Amazon, not netflix.

Also, what would amazon actually be buying besides customers?   Amazon has a better network infrastructure, and I would be surprised if they didn't have the clout to negotiate contracts for more streaming content if they wanted to (I get the feeling Amazon Prime isn't fully being pushed internally, because it doesn't seem to be externally advertised much)

[Xanthippe]

I like 'Mexican' Coke with real sugar.  I get it at Earth Fare.

New Coke wasn't that bad.  Ah, the 80's...

'Mexican' Coke is what coke tasted like when I was a kid.  It's how coke should taste - ice cold out of a glass bottle. 

Today's Coke is shit in comparison.  New Coke is an even bigger pile of shit.  Diet Coke is as bad as new coke.

Tweet seen on the day Hastings sent out his stupid email:  "Imagine if @Netflix and Qwikster combined services... unlimited DVD rentals and streaming. Now THAT would be awesome.'

[Soulflame]

Not sure if this has been posted yet, but I heard an interesting reason for Netflix to spin off the DVD portion of their company.

HENN: Well, because Netflix rents DVDs. And in the U.S., it's prevented from sharing customer information online this way by a 23-year-old law called the Video Privacy Protection Act. After Netflix spins off Qwikster, and is just offering streaming content like Hulu, I think it'll be much more likely to be legally free to jump in and create a Facebook app in the States.

Source.

So it's not so much that they're trying to piss off customers as it is that they're trying to set themselves up to be able to send the information about what you're viewing on Netflix to Facebook.

[HaemishM]

I'm rather skeptical of that take on it. Seems like an incredibly dumb move for little credible payback.

[Yegolev]

Sure, let's see how that works out for them.