Disney says it has more streaming customers than Netflix • Hacker News Board

Re: Disney says it has more streaming customers than Netflix

#31

Post by Cyph0n » Wed, Nov 09, 2022, 1:05 AM UTC

Barrin92 wrote: post #18

legitster wrote: post #2

Disney has so much less content, and I really don't mind it. There's nothing I hate more than logging into Netflix after a month and everything I was vaguely interested in has now completely disappeared and been replaced by even more half-assed looking projects. Also, shout out to Disney for actually making it easy to restart a show from the beginning. I don't understand how Netflix has dropped so much money into chi…

>and been replaced by even more half-assed looking projects the "half-assed" projects are the only thing that has me coming back. Netflix in contrast to a lot of the other services still has a decent amount in particular foreign and original IP. Most recent example, Cyberpunk Edgerunners, that would not be on Disney+. I just don't care about the 50th take on Star Wars. Given the numbers apparently I'm the only one on…

Netflix does indeed have some “hidden” gems.

But I’d say that HBO takes the cake for unique shows with consistent quality that are - most importantly - allowed to run to completion. My go-to example is The Leftovers. What kind of network would ever greenlight that kind of show, let alone have it run for three whole seasons to its natural conclusion?

Re: Disney says it has more streaming customers than Netflix

#32

Post by encryptluks2 » Wed, Nov 09, 2022, 1:06 AM UTC

ShockedUnicorn wrote: post #21

To be clear. Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu when _combined_ have more customers. It's important to note that Disney pushes hard for buying these 3 together as a package for a reduced price, therefore basically tripling some customer numbers.

It is like $20/mo for all three vs $16/mo for just Netflix. It is a good deal that is hard to beat although I think they are going to start running ads on the $20/mo plan so who knows it it will be a good deal for much longer.

Re: Disney says it has more streaming customers than Netflix

#33

Post by cgriswald » Wed, Nov 09, 2022, 1:07 AM UTC

paul7986 wrote: post #8

legitster wrote: post #2

Disney has so much less content, and I really don't mind it. There's nothing I hate more than logging into Netflix after a month and everything I was vaguely interested in has now completely disappeared and been replaced by even more half-assed looking projects. Also, shout out to Disney for actually making it easy to restart a show from the beginning. I don't understand how Netflix has dropped so much money into chi…

Disney also owns awesome legacy IP; superheros, star wars, pixar and disney movies. It's also a lot cheaper and indeed less bloated. Netflix has zero such legacy content and it's more expensive; soon even harder to use with them locking down sharing!

Netflix is also doling out shows a few episodes a week to keep people from subscribing, binging, and unsubscribing. That works fine for something like Stranger Things but they're even doing it for shows no one is subscribing to see. Frankly, the ability to binge a show is like decanting a wine or heating sake. It can make a mediocre show a lot better. Taking away that ability should be used with caution.

As a long time subscriber, it's got me thinking about only subscribing a few months a year; since I'd usually rather wait to binge a show anyway...

Why they can't link account age and binge-ability isn't clear to me; guessing something to do with contracts.

Re: Disney says it has more streaming customers than Netflix

#34

Post by thebigspacefuck » Wed, Nov 09, 2022, 1:08 AM UTC

alistairSH wrote: post #23

Not surprising, Disney (plus ESPN and HULU) is bundled with several cell phone plans in the US. I subscribe because it’s “free”. And Netflix continues its long slide into irrelevance. I’ve was a subscriber for many years, but cut it last month. Too much low-quality programming and it continually recommends shows I’ve watched previously and refuses to allow Apple to index it’s catalog so it appears in alongside other…

Netflix is bundled with T-Mobile

Re: Disney says it has more streaming customers than Netflix

#35

Post by k__ » Wed, Nov 09, 2022, 1:08 AM UTC

I have the impression, Netflix lived past its prime some years ago.

Back in 2010 it tried new things and was quite affordable.

But it became a run of the mill cabel network, and not even a good one, many shows simply dissapear all the time.

Re: Disney says it has more streaming customers than Netflix

#36

Post by kranke155 » Wed, Nov 09, 2022, 1:09 AM UTC

Cyph0n wrote: post #31

Barrin92 wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>and been replaced by even more half-assed looking projects the "half-assed" projects are the only thing that has me coming back. Netflix in contrast to a lot of the other services still has a decent amount in particular foreign and original IP. Most recent example, Cyberpunk Edgerunners, that would not be on Disney+. I just don't care about the 50th take on Star Wars. Given the numbers apparently I'm the only one on…

Netflix does indeed have some “hidden” gems. But I’d say that HBO takes the cake for unique shows with consistent quality that are - most importantly - allowed to run to completion. My go-to example is The Leftovers. What kind of network would ever greenlight that kind of show, let alone have it run for three whole seasons to its natural conclusion?

Hopefully this will remain now that HBO has changed hands. HBO quality is really second to none in shows for you know, adults.

Re: Disney says it has more streaming customers than Netflix

#37

Post by colinmhayes » Wed, Nov 09, 2022, 1:09 AM UTC

hemloc_io wrote: post #11

Here's a question I've had and maybe someone from HN can answer it. The (movie) streaming wars have content as a differentiator in the market, but it doesn't seem like Spotify/Apple music is effected. Assuming both the RIAA and MPAA members both don't care about consumer complaints that much, why do record companies not start their own streaming services? I assume it's easier than making a movie streaming service, an…

I don't think people would use a music streaming service that doesn't have all the content they want. I think the record companies agreed to the streaming deal because they saw that piracy was a legitimate issue, and the business strategy probably just worked better than for film. $5 or $10 a month per user adds up to an acceptable amount of revenue for music labels + streaming services to split, but there's just more money in film so the price for a universal streamer would be bonkers and no one would pay.

The content probably works better for film streamers too. If you have to change apps every time you finish a 3 minute song to listen to the next one you probably would look for a different solution, but film is a much longer commitment so switching services after watching is less of a hassle.

Re: Disney says it has more streaming customers than Netflix

#38

Post by dont__panic » Wed, Nov 09, 2022, 1:10 AM UTC

Cyph0n wrote: post #31

Barrin92 wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>and been replaced by even more half-assed looking projects the "half-assed" projects are the only thing that has me coming back. Netflix in contrast to a lot of the other services still has a decent amount in particular foreign and original IP. Most recent example, Cyberpunk Edgerunners, that would not be on Disney+. I just don't care about the 50th take on Star Wars. Given the numbers apparently I'm the only one on…

Netflix does indeed have some “hidden” gems. But I’d say that HBO takes the cake for unique shows with consistent quality that are - most importantly - allowed to run to completion. My go-to example is The Leftovers. What kind of network would ever greenlight that kind of show, let alone have it run for three whole seasons to its natural conclusion?

Ironically, they just cancelled Westworld before the intended final season. Not exactly a "consistent quality" show, but HBO does cancel some stuff, too.

But it is not nearly as bad as Netflix's track record of killing shows with cliffhanger second-season endings...

Re: Disney says it has more streaming customers than Netflix

#39

Post by xmprt » Wed, Nov 09, 2022, 1:10 AM UTC

hemloc_io wrote: post #11

Here's a question I've had and maybe someone from HN can answer it. The (movie) streaming wars have content as a differentiator in the market, but it doesn't seem like Spotify/Apple music is effected. Assuming both the RIAA and MPAA members both don't care about consumer complaints that much, why do record companies not start their own streaming services? I assume it's easier than making a movie streaming service, an…

The music industry was losing out on tons of money until Spotify and music streaming services came up. Unlike movies, I think people like to have all their music in one place so if they cut Spotify out of the middle then instead of people moving over to subscribe to them, people would just stop listening to their music or go back to piracy.

Re: Disney says it has more streaming customers than Netflix

#40

Post by duxup » Wed, Nov 09, 2022, 1:10 AM UTC

legitster wrote: post #2

Disney has so much less content, and I really don't mind it. There's nothing I hate more than logging into Netflix after a month and everything I was vaguely interested in has now completely disappeared and been replaced by even more half-assed looking projects. Also, shout out to Disney for actually making it easy to restart a show from the beginning. I don't understand how Netflix has dropped so much money into chi…

I kinda hate how the lack of content is filled in by a lot of National Geographic Channel low quality infotainment.

It is a very strange contrast to have such high quality and garbage next to each other.

Also the restart show works, but not a whole series… it will still sometimes get confused and jump ahead because you watched future shows.