Netflix takes gamble with Epix film cull • Hacker News Board

Re: Netflix takes gamble with Epix film cull

#21

Post by dagw » Tue, Sep 01, 2015, 12:40 PM UTC

jamespo wrote: post #6

dogma1138 wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

With that approach Netflix will still have to setup the same infrastructure and get a lesser cut of the pie with how much it seems to cost them to stream as it is i don't see it working out. Whats worse it won't give them the ability to control their content offering which means they can't really steer their business. Also since broadcast licensing is a steaming pile of shit outside of the US you can't rely on smalle…

So what you want is the service to be very cheap and have a massive amount of content available.

I'd be happy with Netflix doubling my monthly fee if it meant access to more, better and newer movies.

Re: Netflix takes gamble with Epix film cull

#22

Post by hvs » Tue, Sep 01, 2015, 12:47 PM UTC

JonoBB wrote: post #12

Dwolb wrote: post #4

I feel like this move is too early for Netflix strategy-wise for non-power users. Yes, it may be the case that their early adopters plow through premium TV, but I'd like to investigate more to understand if people choose Netflix to have the option fo view movies like Transformers, licensed from Epix. This move would happen eventually as creators gain access to streaming (distribution) platforms and platforms (like Ne…

This again proves how the music industry is far and away better at the streaming model, whereas the movie industry is still trying to find its way.

Streaming music is a different beast. People tend to listen to the same music multiple times. The same is not true of movies.

Re: Netflix takes gamble with Epix film cull

#23

Post by barranger » Tue, Sep 01, 2015, 12:52 PM UTC

LukeB_UK wrote: post #18

It's worth noting that Netflix has a deal with Disney that states all new Disney, Marvel and Pixar films from 2016 are licensed to Netflix. This deal also gives them the back catalogue to Disney films. Source: http://www.theverge.com/2012/12/4/3727688/netflix-streaming-...

That deal is one of the most interesting, as it seems they've locked up not just streaming exclusivity, but all subscription services, meaning no HBO

Re: Netflix takes gamble with Epix film cull

#24

Post by chasing » Tue, Sep 01, 2015, 12:55 PM UTC

seer wrote: post #14

I feel so sad for people forced to use the legal distribution channels - it must be such a chore to have to be informed which movie or series is available on which channel, have to switch between different apps / recommendation engines and have pay to every single middle men his toll, when their part could very well be free. Using pirate solutions seems such a great experience in comparison - a global free peer to pe…

I agree completely.

I also always laugh at those suckers standing in line at the grocery store. The customer experience of just picking out my Mountain Dew and ice cream sandwich and just walking straight out of the store without paying -- it's cheap, it's easy. You don't have to deal with pesky middle-men trying to take their cut. Astonishing.

Such comfort.

Re: Netflix takes gamble with Epix film cull

#25

Post by rch » Tue, Sep 01, 2015, 12:57 PM UTC

seer wrote: post #14

I feel so sad for people forced to use the legal distribution channels - it must be such a chore to have to be informed which movie or series is available on which channel, have to switch between different apps / recommendation engines and have pay to every single middle men his toll, when their part could very well be free. Using pirate solutions seems such a great experience in comparison - a global free peer to pe…

Just point me to the 'pirate solution' that can sustainably produce and deliver original content.

Re: Netflix takes gamble with Epix film cull

#26

Post by tired_man » Tue, Sep 01, 2015, 12:59 PM UTC

seer wrote: post #14

I feel so sad for people forced to use the legal distribution channels - it must be such a chore to have to be informed which movie or series is available on which channel, have to switch between different apps / recommendation engines and have pay to every single middle men his toll, when their part could very well be free. Using pirate solutions seems such a great experience in comparison - a global free peer to pe…

Oh, yeah. It's not like there aren't half a dozen programs that will grab schedules and listings for you and even program a pcdvr.

Re: Netflix takes gamble with Epix film cull

#27

Post by throwaway23545 » Tue, Sep 01, 2015, 1:04 PM UTC

seer wrote: post #14

I feel so sad for people forced to use the legal distribution channels - it must be such a chore to have to be informed which movie or series is available on which channel, have to switch between different apps / recommendation engines and have pay to every single middle men his toll, when their part could very well be free. Using pirate solutions seems such a great experience in comparison - a global free peer to pe…

Want something more than a year old or a little less than mainstream? Good luck finding an active torrent. Maybe you'll find one with incredible bandwidth where the CD or TV show from a year or two back you seek can download at all instead of sitting stalled at some random percentage.

You seem to be describing the picture of 4 or 5 years back rather than now

Re: Netflix takes gamble with Epix film cull

#28

Post by happyscrappy » Tue, Sep 01, 2015, 1:05 PM UTC

seer wrote: post #14

I feel so sad for people forced to use the legal distribution channels - it must be such a chore to have to be informed which movie or series is available on which channel, have to switch between different apps / recommendation engines and have pay to every single middle men his toll, when their part could very well be free. Using pirate solutions seems such a great experience in comparison - a global free peer to pe…

I feel so sad for people who are completely pwned to save a few bucks. The convenience and value of a Netflix account is what is astonishing.

Re: Netflix takes gamble with Epix film cull

#29

Post by fpgeek » Tue, Sep 01, 2015, 1:10 PM UTC

chasing wrote: post #24

seer wrote: post #14

I feel so sad for people forced to use the legal distribution channels - it must be such a chore to have to be informed which movie or series is available on which channel, have to switch between different apps / recommendation engines and have pay to every single middle men his toll, when their part could very well be free. Using pirate solutions seems such a great experience in comparison - a global free peer to pe…

I agree completely. I also always laugh at those suckers standing in line at the grocery store. The customer experience of just picking out my Mountain Dew and ice cream sandwich and just walking straight out of the store without paying -- it's cheap, it's easy. You don't have to deal with pesky middle-men trying to take their cut. Astonishing. Such comfort.

Sigh.

I was hoping you were going for an analogy with self-checkout. That would have neatly and effectively pointed at the missing piece of the puzzle. Instead you went for the cheap moralizing, which can make you feel good but doesn't get anyone any closer to solving the problem.

Re: Netflix takes gamble with Epix film cull

#30

Post by ascagnel_ » Tue, Sep 01, 2015, 1:11 PM UTC

adamc wrote: post #19

ZenoArrow wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Would you consider switching from Netflix to Hulu? From the article... "Rival US service Hulu will take on the Epix catalogue. "Our subscribers have been asking us for more, and more recent, big movies," Hulu said. "We listened. Through this new deal with Epix, we are proud to now be able to offer a huge selection of the biggest blockbusters and premium films.""

I wouldn't, because Hulu has commercials, and after years of Netflix, I find them extremely irritating. Netflix still has enough programming to be worth $8-9 a month. But as their movie offerings drop, their value proposition weakens.

Hulu only has commercials on their second-run (day-after-air) content from broadcast sources. They have a substantial back catalogue of stuff that doesn't include said commercials.

I get why they have commercials: a $10/mo. service that provides shows the day after they air would devalue that content too much without commercials and would be uncompetitive when pricing to exclude them. For a comparison: a season pass for the newest season of Doctor Who (S9) on iTunes/Amazon Instant costs around $31 (it happens to be a featured show on iTunes), or about $2.58 per episode. It does not include commercials, and can be cached and viewed offline, and is available the day after it airs. After three episodes, you've just about met the budget for a full month of Hulu Plus.