Netflix launches an ad-supported tier • Hacker News Board

Re: Netflix launches an ad-supported tier

#61

Post by Andaith » Thu, Nov 03, 2022, 11:05 PM UTC

LeifCarrotson wrote: post #17

Alupis wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They could probably honestly remove 10% of the catalog and nobody would miss anything. It feels like 80% of the catalog is Netflix homebrewed garbage, another 10% is foreign dubbed garbage, and the remaining 10% you've probably already seen. I honestly have never thought harder about outright cancelling Netflix. I'm very close... Every time I log in to watch something, Netflix recommends TV Shows and Movies they know…

The 10% of the catalog this removes is probably the only 10% of the catalog people really want to watch...

It's probably the most expensive 10% as far as licensing goes.

Re: Netflix launches an ad-supported tier

#62

Post by w10-1 » Thu, Nov 03, 2022, 11:25 PM UTC

It strikes me that supporting ads has a huge impact on the technical infrastructure. It complicates server deployment and client UI. And how would you tailor markets to regions? subscriber preferences? coveted spots (just before that cliff-hanger...)? Oy

I'd be interested in ballpark resource estimates for added complexity and staffing for operations and for the ad business units.

Most importantly, is most of the cost up-front in infrastructure development, or do the ad business units themselves eat so much they don't make sense below a certain level of adoption?

i.e., - How many ad-supported users does Netflix need for the ad tier to justify its fixed and operational costs?

- What about cannibalizing the higher tiers? Can ads end up being a net revenue loss even if they pay for themselves?

- If it is complicated and hard, and they get it right, can it be a moat for them?

Way too many questions.

Re: Netflix launches an ad-supported tier

#63

Post by tinyspacewizard » Thu, Nov 03, 2022, 11:49 PM UTC

Netflix keep making content. How long until they have so much that we are content just to explore the back catalogue? Can margins increase massively over the long run?

Re: Netflix launches an ad-supported tier

#64

Post by gcau » Thu, Nov 03, 2022, 11:51 PM UTC

Anyone have recommendations for setting up a mini home server to download and store torrented movies? I want something that "kinda just works", like what hardware and software? Only for movies I have consent and rights to torrent, ofcourse.

Re: Netflix launches an ad-supported tier

#65

Post by yrgulation » Thu, Nov 03, 2022, 11:58 PM UTC

gcau wrote: post #64

Anyone have recommendations for setting up a mini home server to download and store torrented movies? I want something that "kinda just works", like what hardware and software? Only for movies I have consent and rights to torrent, ofcourse.

I am not a fan of movie piracy and as such i would recommend you stay away from kodi and irc. Deluge web torrent is the worst offender. All of these run on raspberry pis with huge usb storage extensions. Those tools are horrible and i dont recommend plugging in raspberry pi via hdmi to your tv or setting up file sharing. Even worse i dont recommend setting up pihole dns on the same rpi as it hides ads.

Re: Netflix launches an ad-supported tier

#66

Post by j_kao » Fri, Nov 04, 2022, 12:01 AM UTC

MBCook wrote: post #4

Up to 5 minutes per hour of ads, one device, streaming only (no downloading for planes/etc), 720p max, 10% of the catalog unavailable. That’s a hell of a lot of compromises.

I wonder if the 10% is purposely vague so that they can use a random 10 percent of content to A/B test platform engagement (maybe plan upgrades) and ad engagement.

Re: Netflix launches an ad-supported tier

#67

Post by mbg721 » Fri, Nov 04, 2022, 12:18 AM UTC

SketchySeaBeast wrote: post #5

I wonder who this new option is supposed to appeal to. Probably just an excuse to jack up the actual valid options to a higher price in comparison?

People who got six months of a Netflix subscription as a Christmas gift and got partway through a series,

Re: Netflix launches an ad-supported tier

#68

Post by Manuel_D » Fri, Nov 04, 2022, 12:43 AM UTC

People seem to forget that Hulu has been supported by this model for quite some time. In some ways, it's a return to form: television was historically supported by ads and is returning to ads for support.

Re: Netflix launches an ad-supported tier

#69

Post by Arubis » Fri, Nov 04, 2022, 12:54 AM UTC

Manuel_D wrote: post #68

People seem to forget that Hulu has been supported by this model for quite some time. In some ways, it's a return to form: television was historically supported by ads and is returning to ads for support.

That form sucked. The break was nice.

Re: Netflix launches an ad-supported tier

#70

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Nov 04, 2022, 1:17 AM UTC

gcau wrote: post #64

Anyone have recommendations for setting up a mini home server to download and store torrented movies? I want something that "kinda just works", like what hardware and software? Only for movies I have consent and rights to torrent, ofcourse.

[deleted]