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

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

#71

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 Netflix originally made a bunch of content deals that made them the sole streamer of entire backlogs of syndicated material.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…

You're right, but I am not sure this is the end. We are entering a "streaming content desert" where every content-maker tries to make their own Netflix. Consumers will buy subscriptions to the top 3, at best. Most probably won't go beyond Amazon Prime and Netflix. In five or ten years, when the data finally rolls in that these disparate services are not making anything, have shoddy reviews from hastily-coded backends…

we still aren't watching commercials on netflix yet so thats a win

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

#72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

True, but the reality is: Disney is going their own way. HBO, DC, CBS are all going their own way. The idea of a "one stop shop", also known as a monopoly doesn't make sense as soon as the market is large enough for multiple players. Netflix doesn't want to pay the prices they'd have to in order to remain a one-stop shop, it certainly isn't practical at $9.99 a subscription. There's no way the $100 a month cable subs…

> The idea of a "one stop shop", also known as a monopoly doesn't make sense as soon as the market is large enough for multiple players.

It would be a monopoly if it were the only place to get that content; but a one stop shop, where the content is not exclusive, would still be highly valuable to a lot of consumers.

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

#73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It is just becoming the internet equivalent of an unlimited on-demand cable channel. With no commercials. All in all, That's still an improvement over traditional cable.

Can people stop saying this. There are plenty of ads in netflix/amazon/whatever shows. They just make them unskippable by integrating them into their shows. And I know other shows and movies do it as well, that is no reason to pretend you're not getting brainwashed to crave fast food and soda when watching these shows instead.

> Can people stop saying this. There are plenty of ads in netflix/amazon/whatever shows.

> They just make them unskippable by integrating them into their shows.

No, we're not going to stop saying this, because eliminating obnoxious commercial breaks is still a tremendous win.

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

#74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The hilarious thing is this is going to drive people back to engaging in piracy on various levels People aren't "driven to piracy". Piracy's a conscious decision to take what they want without paying for it.

It's a conscious decision, but that decision may be greatly influenced by the content being prohibitively expensive for them to otherwise obtain.

Sure, but that's the basic deal for any situation involving self-control and moral freedom.

There's an act you would like to perform, but it's unwise/moral/sinful/suboptimal. Do you do it or not?

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

#75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The hilarious thing is this is going to drive people back to engaging in piracy on various levels People aren't "driven to piracy". Piracy's a conscious decision to take what they want without paying for it.

> People aren't "driven to piracy". Piracy's a conscious decision to take what they want without paying for it. Do you believe in psychological studies? Dark UI patterns? Denying these things doesn't make it less true. People take the lowest effort route to the end goal.

Dark patterns don’t “make” people pirate.

Pirating is the act of saying, “I want something I don’t have the rights to have.” And then taking it. Period.

There’s no way to rationalize immoral unethical behavior by hiding behind “psychological studies” and “dark UI patterns”.

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

#76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're right, but I am not sure this is the end. We are entering a "streaming content desert" where every content-maker tries to make their own Netflix. Consumers will buy subscriptions to the top 3, at best. Most probably won't go beyond Amazon Prime and Netflix. In five or ten years, when the data finally rolls in that these disparate services are not making anything, have shoddy reviews from hastily-coded backends…

Amazon Prime has a way to "add" channels to your subscription[1]. This is an interesting idea IMHO. I liked the Prime app (which is still worse than Netflix) more than HBO Now and subscribed via Prime. There's a third possible path forward, one where you don't have to subscribe to tens of services and use tens of apps but still get content from a wide variety of providers - one where the content makers don't have to…

The Apple TV's "TV" app centralizes the content from other apps you install, including HBO, Amazon, Hulu and Netflix. You can even set the TV app to be default "home" screen.

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

#77

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.

the best way to watch movies is buying the dvd for $1 at your local video store. or library sale. or thrift store. you just can’t easily search

With some extra work you can extract the movie and place it on a plex server, now you have a searchable movie collection.

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

#78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The hilarious thing is this is going to drive people back to engaging in piracy on various levels (i.e. ripping streaming shows for personal use and/or organized piracy groups). The main reason for piracy's decline is $20/month for a couple streaming services is less hassle for most people in the 1st world. They are restoring the incentives that led to its rise. Its quite hilarious. I mean if eztv hadn't been taken o…

> The hilarious thing is this is going to drive people back to engaging in piracy on various levels People aren't "driven to piracy". Piracy's a conscious decision to take what they want without paying for it.

I am not advocating for or against piracy, but it's not just the money. Convenience is also a major player. People want a Netflix situation where they can get most of their content and pay one bill and use one app. They don't want seven different services and bills and apps. If piracy becomes simpler than juggling all that, piracy rates will increase.

Piracy is a conscious decision to take the path of least resistance.

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

#79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> People aren't "driven to piracy". Piracy's a conscious decision to take what they want without paying for it. Do you believe in psychological studies? Dark UI patterns? Denying these things doesn't make it less true. People take the lowest effort route to the end goal.

Dark patterns don’t “make” people pirate. Pirating is the act of saying, “I want something I don’t have the rights to have.” And then taking it. Period. There’s no way to rationalize immoral unethical behavior by hiding behind “psychological studies” and “dark UI patterns”.

You seem to think I'm rationalizing the morality of the act by pointing out the morality/ethics is really just another thing humans bend on when the incentives change.

If you want to argue incentives are fictional because "morality", I think we aren't going to have a productive discussion.

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

#80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The hilarious thing is this is going to drive people back to engaging in piracy on various levels (i.e. ripping streaming shows for personal use and/or organized piracy groups). The main reason for piracy's decline is $20/month for a couple streaming services is less hassle for most people in the 1st world. They are restoring the incentives that led to its rise. Its quite hilarious. I mean if eztv hadn't been taken o…

> The hilarious thing is this is going to drive people back to engaging in piracy on various levels People aren't "driven to piracy". Piracy's a conscious decision to take what they want without paying for it.

Yes, total cost is :

Cost of content + Cost of Aggravation. Even if I'm willing to pay for 10 services I dont care to look though the 10 services to find what i want to watch

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