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Netflix Is Betting Its Future on Exclusive Programming

nytimes.com

31–40 of 113 posts

Re: Netflix Is Betting Its Future on Exclusive Programming

#31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is that because you don't trust yourself not to watch it all in a binge situation? The shows on netflix could easily be watched one episode at a time on a regular schedule if that's what you prefer. You get both options (and hundreds of other scenarios) instead of just the one decided by someone else (or else having to record it on a DVR to make your own schedule).

It's nice to know that the other people watching a show are also at the same point as you are (or relatively close), allowing you to speculate on what might happen next in the time between episodes. I also like looking forward to the next episode, which doesn't really happen when you can watch that next episode immediately (and self imposed waiting doesn't feel the same).

I agree that one thing that's lost is the ability to discuss episodes with people as a show progresses. Since you never know what episode a person is on you can't really risk discussing things until you're sure the person has caught up. With weekly shows like Game of Thrones for instance, you can feel pretty comfortable discussing an episode amongst other fans. Not sure if that's really something I'll miss when it's gone, but it's definitely a big change with Netflix that ultimately started as a smaller disruption with DVR devices...

I suppose personally my feelings on the matter is even though I might lose the few advantages that you mentioned, the disadvantages far outweigh it and I won't miss the airing of shows like Breaking Bad or Suits that took one season and split them in half with gigantic gaps in between (months or even years), to the point where you can't even remember where the show was going by the time it returns. I like the freedom to watch at whatever schedule I prefer, without any kind of arbitrary limitations that may or may not suit my lifestyle at the time, and the confidence to know I'm going to be able to see a story through from start to finish once devote time to it...

Re: Netflix Is Betting Its Future on Exclusive Programming

#32

> "They will take HBO linear and call it HBO Linear,” he said. “That is HBO if you really want to watch it on somebody else’s schedule.” Am I the only one who likes shows being made available once a week, rather than all at once?

Netflix did exactly this for Better Call Saul in Latin America and Europe, where the show is not aired on regular cable channels. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Better_Call_Saul#Broadcast

While simultaneously removing the ability of hard-of-hearing users to read what's being said.

Re: Netflix Is Betting Its Future on Exclusive Programming

#33

“It will be like the Yankees and the Red Sox,” Mr. Hastings said. “I predict HBO will do the best creative work of their lives in the next 10 years because they are on war footing. They haven’t really had a challenge for a long time, and now they do. It’s going to spur us both on to incredible work.” That guy has a ton of class. This war will only benefit all of us entertainment junkies.

No doubt, though there's also a fair degree of hubris in that statement. HBO is already going strong from a 15-year streak of unprecedented critical success, having birthed genuine cultural touchstones such as The Sopranos and The Wire.

Netflix is making an incredible effort to catch up: They're giving great creative talent a lot of creative freedom, and they've certainly put out some fine prestige content in their first three years, but even House of Cards isn't really batting at the same level as HBO's landmark achievements.

I think when Hastings says "I predict HBO will do the best creative work of their lives in the next 10 years," there's a tiny bit of projection there – he knows HBO will have to continue to put out landmark content because sooner or later, Netflix will indeed have its own, bona-fide Sopranos.

As a fan of long-form episodic cinema, no other rivalry could make me more excited.

Re: Netflix Is Betting Its Future on Exclusive Programming

#35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's nice to know that the other people watching a show are also at the same point as you are (or relatively close), allowing you to speculate on what might happen next in the time between episodes. I also like looking forward to the next episode, which doesn't really happen when you can watch that next episode immediately (and self imposed waiting doesn't feel the same).

I agree that one thing that's lost is the ability to discuss episodes with people as a show progresses. Since you never know what episode a person is on you can't really risk discussing things until you're sure the person has caught up. With weekly shows like Game of Thrones for instance, you can feel pretty comfortable discussing an episode amongst other fans. Not sure if that's really something I'll miss when it's…

Well there is a product/service in there. Discussion channels tied in with your Netflix Id so that you you can only discuss topics with people on the same schedule. You could also join a group which had the programming pre-determined, and drip fed the shows to you on a specific schedule, like every Sunday night. You get the benefits of a scheduled delivery of content and associated social benefits, but you also get to join a schedule which suits your times.

Re: Netflix Is Betting Its Future on Exclusive Programming

#36

“It will be like the Yankees and the Red Sox,” Mr. Hastings said. “I predict HBO will do the best creative work of their lives in the next 10 years because they are on war footing. They haven’t really had a challenge for a long time, and now they do. It’s going to spur us both on to incredible work.” That guy has a ton of class. This war will only benefit all of us entertainment junkies.

No doubt, though there's also a fair degree of hubris in that statement. HBO is already going strong from a 15-year streak of unprecedented critical success, having birthed genuine cultural touchstones such as The Sopranos and The Wire. Netflix is making an incredible effort to catch up: They're giving great creative talent a lot of creative freedom, and they've certainly put out some fine prestige content in their f…

[deleted]

Re: Netflix Is Betting Its Future on Exclusive Programming

#40

Seems like they're following in the footsteps of HBO, going from a distribution channel rebroadcasting others' content to being known primarily for their high quality original content. I like where this is headed. The competition will be a boon for content consumers.

The problem is that I pay for netflix precisely because they rebroadcast others' content.
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