HIGH-DEF DISC NEWS TAGGED "NETFLIX"Receive High-Def Disc News via RSS

Netflix Launches 'Lillyhammer' - its First Original Series

Thu Feb 09, 2012 at 12:45 PM ET
Tags: Netflix, Streaming (all tags)

The success or failure of this series could have a huge impact on the future of Netflix.

The first original series from Netflix has officially launched. 'Lillyhammer' stars Steven Van Zandt of 'Sopranos' fame as a former mobster under witness protection in Norway. It's a fish-out-of-water story that promises to be both humorous and dramatic. User reviews are positive so far, with an average of 4.2 stars out of five.

Netflix, despite some slipups last year, is a company that's dominating its space. That, of course, means that they have a huge target on their back. With Verizon and Redbox teaming for a streaming service and rumors of a standalone Amazon service, Netflix is doing what it can to separate itself from the pack.

'Lillyhammer' is the first attempt to do so. The show marks the first original series to hit Netflix - a move designed not only to keep old customers but inspire new ones to join. Coming later this year is the show 'House of Cards' while we'll be waiting until 2013 for new episodes of 'Arrested Development.'

Source: Netflix Blog

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Verizon and Redbox Join up for Netflix-Like Disc and Streaming Service

Tue Feb 07, 2012 at 10:00 AM ET
Tags: Redbox, Verizon, Netflix, Streaming (all tags)

Redbox is finally entering the streaming game, but just what the service will offer is a mystery.

It's about time we see the formation of a streaming service that can legitimately go head-to-head with Netflix. Verizon and Redbox have joined forces to create their own service that provides both streaming video and physical media.

The Netflix model is far from perfect, especially when it comes to the disc-by-mail portion of it. Shipping out individual discs is expensive, but it looks like Redbox will be solving that by letting subscribers pluck DVDs and Blu-rays out of kiosks.

The pricing layout is a big question mark at this point as the joint venture promises "subscription services and more" in "an easy-to-use, flexible and affordable service that will allow all consumers across the U.S. to enjoy the new and popular entertainment they want."

The launch of this new venture is expected in the latter half of 2012. Expect to see some changes at Netflix in anticipation of the competition.

Source: Engadget

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Netflix Drops Plans to Rent Videogames

Thu Jan 26, 2012 at 12:30 PM ET
Tags: Netflix, 3D Streaming (all tags)

It's no surprise that the company won't be adding more physical media to the lineup.

Netflix has been going through a transformation recently. The company has been switching focus to streaming videos and all but ignoring physical media. They even tried, and failed, to start up a spinoff called Qwickster just for DVD and Blu-ray rental.

The company confirmed in its fourth quarter earnings report that there will be no videogames coming to Netflix. We've heard since early on that Netflix has been considering adding games to its rental options, but the focus on streaming seals the deal. Then again, with streaming games gaining a foothold, Netflix could always approach things from a different route.

Netflix also mentioned in this call that they're looking into 3D streaming, but there were no specifics laid out.

Source: Engadget

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Netflix is Working on the Multiple User Problem

Wed Jan 18, 2012 at 02:00 PM ET
Tags: Netflix, Streaming (all tags)

When several users share an account, ratings become useless - Netflix wants to do something about it.

Do you now or have you ever shared a Netflix account with someone? Even if you're only signed up for streaming and you don't have to fight over whose disc is whose, there's the problem of ratings. Just because you like something doesn't mean your roommate, wife or significant other will like it and vice versa.

Netflix knows that this is a problem for subscribers and is doing what they can to solve it. Optimally, they want to do is set up multiple profiles within each account, likely linked to Facebook accounts. This would give Netflix a simple way to identify each person and allow the service to cater to the individual ratings and recommendations of each.

It's not exactly simple though, says chief product officer Neil Hunt. "The fact that most of these user interfaces are essentially delivered in HTML, even to the smart TVs and games consoles," he says, "means that we continue to extend week by week, month by month, to deliver new features, to deliver new capabilities and we have goals and ambitions for that kind of stuff."

Source: Home Media Magazine

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Rumor: Warner is Doubling the Rental Embargo to Eight Weeks

Mon Jan 09, 2012 at 09:30 AM ET
Tags: Redbox, Netflix, Blockbuster, Warner, Rumors and Speculation (all tags)

This embargo affects not only Redbox and Netflix, but Blockbuster stores as well.

Warner Home Video has never been a fan of the whole Redbox and Netflix thing. They say that the low priced rentals are hurting sales and are doing what they can to cut down on the effects. It's not surprising then that Warner is looking to expand their existing 28 day embargo to 56.

What does seem a bit out of character is that Warner isn't just targeting Netflix and Redbox this time. Not only is the company expanding the embargo on low priced kiosks and subscription services, they're applying that eight week embargo to Blockbuster stores as well.

It hasn't been officially announced at this point, but it seems fairly likely. Adding the delay would be a move not only to increase DVD and Blu-ray sales, but to push the digital copy storage locker UltraViolet which is getting a big push this year.

Source: Home Media Magazine

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Netflix Streams 2 Billion Hours of Content in Fourth Quarter- Beats out FX, MTV, CNN and More in Viewing Hours

Fri Jan 06, 2012 at 02:00 PM ET
Tags: Netflix, Streaming, Industry Trends (all tags)

Analysts say Netflix viewing habits would make it the 15th largest TV network in the country.

It's comparing apples to oranges of course, but analysts say that the viewing numbers that Netflix brings in are enough to make it the 15th largest TV network in the U.S. With 2 billion viewing hours, it surpasses popular cable channels like FX and MTV while more than doubling the numbers for CNN and The Discovery Channel.

In homes equipped with Netflix, it's the second most watched source, right behind CBS. Perhaps even more interesting is the fact that Netflix subscribers spend a majority of their time watching TV content - around 60 percent.

Analyst Richard Greenfield says that Netflix has been underestimated for quite some time. This 2 billion viewing hours is, as he puts it, "Pretty amazing, given that Netflix is only in 21 million homes (with its streaming service just four years old) compared to the near-complete distribution across multichannel homes of the top cable networks."

Source: Home Media Magazine

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Netflix Launches its First Original Series on February 6th

Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 10:00 AM ET
Tags: Netflix, Streaming, Industry Trends (all tags)

'Lilyhammer' follows the adventures of a mobster sent to Norway under witness protection.

Netflix is high on exclusive content right now and they're about to launch their first original series in the form of a show called 'Lilyhammer.' The show stars Steven Van Zandt who you may recognize from 'The Sopranos' and on guitar in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band.

The first season of the show runs eight episodes and follows a former mobster as he adapts to life in Norway. His expectations of a nice calm environment are shattered when he arrives.

Netflix is releasing all eight episodes simultaneously. You won't be waiting a week for the next one - you can just grab a snack, cuddle up on the couch and lose yourself in the show.

The success or failure of 'Lilyhammer' isn't likely to affect 'House of Cards' or 'Arrested Development' since both are already in the works, but if the show tanks you can expect to see Netflix be a bit more careful moving forward.

Source: Netflix


Sources Say Verizon Will Make a Serious Bid on Netflix

Thu Dec 15, 2011 at 02:00 PM ET
Tags: Verizon, Netflix, Industry Trends (all tags)

If the deal went down, it would certainly put to rest any speculation on competition in the streaming space.

Verizon has been fairly vocal about their planned streaming service. They're not aiming to be a Netflix competitor necessarily, but the plan is to start small and work up to something big. At least, that's what they've said publicly.

According to sources close to Bloomberg, Verizon is going to be making a serious bid to purchase Netflix outright. Peter Bibb of Mediatech Capital says that we could be looking at an offer in the range of $4.6 billion to go down by April of 2012.

There's been a lot of speculation about just what the Verizon streaming service will bring to the table in terms of competition, but that might not be an issue after all.

It's also possible that the Verizon bid will start a bidding war between other possible Netflix buyers like Amazon and Google.

Source: Bloomberg

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Verizon and Redbox are Partnering for Streaming Service According to Sources

Fri Dec 09, 2011 at 12:00 PM ET
Tags: Verizon, Redbox, Streaming, Netflix (all tags)

This potential Netflix competitor is starting to look like a very real threat.

Just a few days ago we reported on the creation of a Verizon streaming service that aims to compete in the same space as Netflix, but the guys over at TechCrunch uncovered a partnership that makes this seem like it might be a real threat to the current dominant subscription video service.

While initially it was reported that pay TV channels like Epix would be the focus, it seems that Redbox is also heavily involved in the new venture. Using the massive content library of Redbox in addition to the incredible retail space penetration, the service will certainly attract a great deal of attention.

Reports and leaks indicate that the service will charge a monthly $5.95 fee for six credits which can be used to watch movies, TV shows and the like. Content will be able to be streamed to mobile devices, tablets, computers and set-top boxes in HD though there's no word yet on surround sound.

What could be particularly interesting is a combination with this new service and Redbox rentals - allowing customers to use their credits for both streaming and kiosk rentals. We'll certainly be finding out more in the near future as the project is expected to launch in May.

Source: TechCrunch

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Disc-By-Mail Services May Face Delay Thanks to New USPS Plan

Wed Dec 07, 2011 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Netflix, Blockbuster (all tags)

If this goes through, it may spell doom for disc by mail services.

Blockbuster and Netflix disc-by-mail subscribers may be in for some bad news - movies are going to be getting to you even slower. This isn't something you can blame on Netflix or Blockbuster though. This one goes to the USPS.

Apparently, our postal service isn't doing so well. They've been losing money hand over fist and there doesn't seem to be any sign of it stopping. They've talked about ending Saturday deliveries but now there's an option on the table that would make disc-by-mail incredibly inconvenient.

The proposal would put an end to next-day delivery of First Class mail, instead allowing up to 72 hours for your letter or disc to get to its destination.

Source: Hacking Netflix

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