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Netflix's New Chapter

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Re: Netflix's New Chapter

#241

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Google has massive range and tons of way to push their services onto users, and google+ failed miserably. Resources are not guarantee of success.

I'm convinced that what killed Google+ was their slow rollout, which was an absolutely bone-headed move that I'm really surprised a company like Google would make. Google+ was a social network. For a social network to have any value, you need your friends to be on it as well. By making it invite-only and throttling how many people could join, they guaranteed that most of your friends weren't there and COULDN'T be the…

Then again, Facebook did a slow rollout - first it was just for American college students, then (if memory serves) it was rolled out internationally for colleges and universities outside the US, then finally it was available everyone.

This helped build word-of-mouth. While a social network has value, so does an exclusive nightclub with a long queue around the block to get in.

I've no idea, but I wonder if this was the thinking behind Google+. Build up a demand with artificial exclusivity, so you build buzz (maybe "buzz" is the wrong word, given Google's other dead project of that name). This approach also helps you from the technical side - easier to deal with scaling and other teething issues when you have a few users at once rather than the mad rush.

At the end though it was probably the wrong decision - people were already on Facebook so they just shrugged and forgot Google+ existed.

Re: Netflix's New Chapter

#242

Is it just me or Disney+ does not have as engaging and comprehensive content as Netflix? I feel it's so easy to run out of the existing catalog on Disney+, and boy the newly added are single-dimension: superhero this and Star Wars that, plus a few great animations. I understand that there are other content. It's just that they seemed so so that I don't even remember which ones I watched. On the other hand, on Netflix…

You might not be the right market (or at least, the marketplace might be different for your demographic).

I'm a parent, and for me, and all my parent friends, Disney+ is the streaming service that generates the most value in our households. Along with all the old/nostalgic Disney animated films, they generate and acquire a lot of the "in" content for kids (Bluey, Mickey Mouse Kids House, etc.)

Before my kids, Disney+ would have been the first streaming service to make the cut. But now, it'll be the last.

Re: Netflix's New Chapter

#243

I'm gonna attempt to break this down: - Netflix has 5-6 Billion USD free cash flow, and because they got what debt they do have under favorable terms, they are positioned to retain most of that free cash flow - Disney, Comcast (Peacock), CBS/Viacom and other media corporations are saddled with debt, and are all losing money on their own independent streaming businesses. Likely untenable in their shareholder model - T…

The tech part of streaming no longer matters and Netflix is in serious trouble due to their lack of quality content. I'm no fan of Disney, but you have to give it to Bob Iger. He just paid out the nose to buy every piece of valuable IP: Pixar, Lucasfilm, Marvel, Fox, even Jim Henson. The amount of content they now own is insane. Everything from Sunny in Philadelphia to the Muppet show to Alien to Avatar to The Simpso…

> Netflix is in serious trouble due to their lack of quality content.

I feel the opposite. Marvel's content are getting really tiring now. Superheroes with superior technologies choosing primitive societal and political structures really turned me off. Not enough great action flicks, or binge-worthy dramas like Oz and Strange Things. Not enough international hit shows. Not enough old catalogs.

Re: Netflix's New Chapter

#244
post #138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sort of. Disney as a company still tries extremely hard to pretend Song of the South never existed.

Unless you go to Disneyland and ride the ride. Although it is called Splash Mountain, it is 100% Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox and Brer Bear.

Not for long:

"In June 2020, it was announced that the U.S. versions of the ride would be receiving a new theme based on Disney's 2009 film The Princess and the Frog.[2][3] The new ride, which will be titled Tiana's Bayou Adventure, is scheduled to open at Disneyland and Magic Kingdom in late 2024"

Re: Netflix's New Chapter

#245
post #152

> Three months later Netflix cut prices and referred to Amazon’s assumed imminent entry to the space; Netflix’s stock slid again. I never understood why Netflix would continue to become one of the largest AWS customers after Amazon entered the space. Will someone please enlighten me?

The same reason Apple buys iPhone displays from Samsung and has a search deal with Google. Companies can directly compete with each other while simultaneously having partnerships and signing win-win deals. Happens in business all the time.

Great point.

Re: Netflix's New Chapter

#246

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There’s no where else to say this, but for wholesome kids entertainment, Bluey is hard to beat. Every 10 minute episode is basically a guide on how to play. Kids love it. Parents relearn how to play. It’s so charming and ridiculous. Totally worth the money.

Fair warning there is a Bluey episode where the kids push their father down steps. A day after watching one of my wards pushed someone down the steps :/

I have some beef with how Bluey depicts the parents as stooges to be toyed with and manipulated as the kids see fit, with little pushback from the parents. In the end there's generally some kind of lesson to be learned, but the parents go along with pretty much anything the kids propose.

Re: Netflix's New Chapter

#247
post #116

Even if Netflix is profitable, and makes money on streaming. Considering it's market cap of $160B with today's rise of ~6% and compared to others like Disney at $192B, and AT&T at $140B, and Viacom at $14B. It seems Netflix is viewed at some tech premium that existed in the early part of the decade. Considering now almost every competitor has their own streaming service, there isn't any tech advantage. Maybe a data a…

I think the point is that their competitors are in streaming now but won't be in the long term because it is costing them too much money. When that happens they will go back to licensing their content to Netflix.

Re: Netflix's New Chapter

#248
post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>All the Star Wars and Marvel shows are star-studded and larded with top-tier visual effects. I'm just going to throw this out there. What if these shows just aren't that good?

Also if you’re not into superheroes and Star Wars, despite it being Disney there’s not a ton there.

Marvel released 4 movies and 3 series in 2022. Plus a second season of an existing one and a holiday special.

There were four Star Wars series.

That's too much content.

Two movies a year that Marvel started with was perfect. It gave you tome to unwind, and get hungry for more.

Re: Netflix's New Chapter

#249
post #104
post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

TBH this more or less describes the problem at least for me. I'm like 3 Star Wars series behind. Catching up at this point feels more like a chore than entertainment. Forget Marvel.

here's some advice, skip everything else, just watch Andor, it's fantastic, best Star Wars since Empire. Other stuff has been hit or miss.

My gosh, I thought Andor was just a horrific bore. I literally couldn't stay awake for it. It felt like about four episodes worth of story stretched out to 12 episodes. I feel like with all the glowing reviews, people are watching it through the lens of being Star Wars universe fans, and not judging it objectively against other content.

I did enjoy the Mandalorian series because at least it had the comic relief of Grogu, if the rest was a bit of a slog.

Re: Netflix's New Chapter

#250

I'm gonna attempt to break this down: - Netflix has 5-6 Billion USD free cash flow, and because they got what debt they do have under favorable terms, they are positioned to retain most of that free cash flow - Disney, Comcast (Peacock), CBS/Viacom and other media corporations are saddled with debt, and are all losing money on their own independent streaming businesses. Likely untenable in their shareholder model - T…

What I don't understand is how e.g. Disney+ is losing so much money. It's Disney's content, has an enormous userbase, and somehow is bleeding billions?

> It's Disney's content

I have a feeling it might be that they don't have enough established TV shows. But this is the problem of pretty much everyone but Netflix, and this will most likely change in the next 2-3 years.

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