Netflix plans to spend $8B to make its library 50 percent original by 2018 • Hacker News Board

Re: Netflix plans to spend $8B to make its library 50 percent original by 2018

#11

Post by bennyg » Mon, Jan 22, 2018, 9:59 PM UTC

alextheparrot wrote: post #5

ocdtrekkie wrote: post #2

This is something I expect them to reach fairly quickly, not necessarily through new content: Netflix has steadily carried less and less content from other companies as long as I've been a subscriber. They carry least-common-denominator content in the back catalog plus a few limited time recent movies to keep people hooked. What I've realized is most well-regarded, award-winning film cannot be found on Netflix. They…

I noticed almost all of my recommendations were originals, so I started using a third party recommender [0], which has put me back to watching more old/well-regarded films. Haven’t found a source as good for old series, though. [0] https://www.cinesift.com

Cool, I'll check this out. Hate browsing for content on the Netflix iOS app since it's all originals when I really just want something else lately.

What I'd really like is the ability to set a couple filters on my phone and shake it to get a random movie/series...

Re: Netflix plans to spend $8B to make its library 50 percent original by 2018

#12

Post by hyperhopper » Mon, Jan 22, 2018, 10:02 PM UTC

ocdtrekkie wrote: post #2

This is something I expect them to reach fairly quickly, not necessarily through new content: Netflix has steadily carried less and less content from other companies as long as I've been a subscriber. They carry least-common-denominator content in the back catalog plus a few limited time recent movies to keep people hooked. What I've realized is most well-regarded, award-winning film cannot be found on Netflix. They…

The problem is though, is that by doing this it is no longer the service that originally attracted many users: a one stop service to watch the things I want to watch.

It is just becoming the internet equivalent of an unlimited on-demand cable channel.

Re: Netflix plans to spend $8B to make its library 50 percent original by 2018

#13

Post by codingdave » Mon, Jan 22, 2018, 10:08 PM UTC

I'm more and more disappointed in their content. I'm sure some people love their original content, but I am not one of them. Nevertheless, I stick with Netflix because their UI for navigating it all, while not perfect, is far better than the other streaming services. And they have easy to use profiles including a 'Kids' option.

But if any other provider catches up to their UX, I'll drop Netflix in a second.

Re: Netflix plans to spend $8B to make its library 50 percent original by 2018

#14

Post by southphillyman » Mon, Jan 22, 2018, 10:08 PM UTC

ocdtrekkie wrote: post #2

This is something I expect them to reach fairly quickly, not necessarily through new content: Netflix has steadily carried less and less content from other companies as long as I've been a subscriber. They carry least-common-denominator content in the back catalog plus a few limited time recent movies to keep people hooked. What I've realized is most well-regarded, award-winning film cannot be found on Netflix. They…

>Thankfully, their original content alone is pretty much worth the price.

Have to give Netflix credit. They have executed two of the biggest strategy pivots in my recent memory. Transitioning to streaming from the physical mail order system and more recently adjusting to increasing fees by building their own "studio" and producing content.

I went from being pissed that movies continuously disappeared from my queue to favoring NetFlix Originals over major releases.

Re: Netflix plans to spend $8B to make its library 50 percent original by 2018

#15

Post by dcole2929 » Mon, Jan 22, 2018, 10:10 PM UTC

I think it's important to note that this is not by choice, but rather the only path left to Netflix now that studios have realized the value of their catalogs to streaming. Netflix originally made a bunch of content deals that made them the sole streamer of entire backlogs of syndicated material. It worked out great for them and pretty decently for the studios too, but after Netflix's success the studios now realize what they gave away. As more of those deals expire the various studios are all looking for ways to get their own streaming platform up where they own more of the profits. A Netflix where the majority of shows are originals, is just an online only version of HBO, which is a shame because the experience is still vastly superior to all the other streaming options.

In their greed the studios have basically turned one of the great internet ideas into the second coming of cable. It's understandable why they would all want their own platform but it's much worse for the consumer

Re: Netflix plans to spend $8B to make its library 50 percent original by 2018

#16

Post by oelmekki » Mon, Jan 22, 2018, 10:10 PM UTC

JustSomeNobody wrote: post #7

I get why they feel they need to do this, but I hate the trend of everyone taking their ball and going home. I loved how with Netflix, I had most of the content I would want right there on a single service. Note to content providers: I'm not going to have Disney, Netflix, HBO, CBS, Hulu, etc subscriptions. It's just not going to happen. I'll do without first.

I've stopped using torrents since I subscribed to Netflix and Spotify years ago, but I can see myself very well returning to it if that scattering trend continues.

Re: Netflix plans to spend $8B to make its library 50 percent original by 2018

#17

Post by mattferderer » Mon, Jan 22, 2018, 10:12 PM UTC

hyperhopper wrote: post #12

ocdtrekkie wrote: post #2

This is something I expect them to reach fairly quickly, not necessarily through new content: Netflix has steadily carried less and less content from other companies as long as I've been a subscriber. They carry least-common-denominator content in the back catalog plus a few limited time recent movies to keep people hooked. What I've realized is most well-regarded, award-winning film cannot be found on Netflix. They…

The problem is though, is that by doing this it is no longer the service that originally attracted many users: a one stop service to watch the things I want to watch. It is just becoming the internet equivalent of an unlimited on-demand cable channel.

I've had my subscription for over 10 years. Unfortunately the streaming side does not have what originally attracted me. Fortunately they still have a DVD side to Netflix that has what originally attracted me.

Don't get me wrong. I've found Marco Polo, Stranger Things, House of Cards (S1 & S2) & several other shows to be really interesting. I just don't have the time to watch that many episodes. I prefer a nice short movie to unwind to when I have time.

That said, I wish more books & comics would be turned into a series instead of movies at the theater. Netflix proved this with 13 Reasons Why. Star Wars, Marvel, etc would also benefit from this.

Re: Netflix plans to spend $8B to make its library 50 percent original by 2018

#18

Post by nathan_long » Mon, Jan 22, 2018, 10:12 PM UTC

Online movie services are a disappointment because the selection is terrible.

Go to IMDB.com. Pick a random movie. Click on the director to see more movies by him or her. Choose one. Click the lead actor to see more movies with him or her. Choose one. Click the studio to see more movies by them. Choose one.

Why can't I do this with any streaming service?

There's no decent search and filter ability because there's not enough selection to support it. The interfaces are all geared toward suggesting what you might like, not letting you search for what you know you want, or filter out what you know you don't.

Want to see only Best Picture winners? Only 5-star PG movies? Only detective films from before 1970? Nope. Sorry, not enough selection. Maybe you'd like this new drama we just made?

Technically, we could have a service with every movie ever made. But we don't, for stupid business reasons.

If we ever get a service with a decent selection, it won't be possible for it to have 50% original content because it would take a hundred years of solid filming to get there.

Re: Netflix plans to spend $8B to make its library 50 percent original by 2018

#19

Post by e1ven » Mon, Jan 22, 2018, 10:14 PM UTC

bearcobra wrote: post #8

This seems like a huge opportunity for Hulu or whatever service the 21Fox/Disney deal leads to. HBO has long proven that there is tremendous value in originals, but having a really broad base of legacy content seems like it could attract a ton of people who don't place the same value on new shows.

A lot of TV shows and movies are now only available on Hulu. I've started subscribing, and am seriously considering dumping Netflix.

Re: Netflix plans to spend $8B to make its library 50 percent original by 2018

#20

Post by dcole2929 » Mon, Jan 22, 2018, 10:15 PM UTC

empath75 wrote: post #10

dabernathy89 wrote: post #6

I really enjoy a lot of Netflix originals, but I wish they would direct more energy into improving their streaming library's 3rd party content. There are so many films only available via their DVD service, which I (and many others) no longer use.

Netflix simply can’t afford the licensing fees. All the other movie companies are trying to put Netflix out of business and aren’t going to charge them anything like a reasonable rate.

It's worse than that. Studio's are simply declining to license their stuff to Netflix for streaming at all. Losing Disney was incredibly telling because their catalog is so big and diverse I can't imagine that Netflix wasn't willing to write a blank check to ensure they didn't lose access to that content. The children's movies alone would be worth the cost.