Is This The End Of Netflix Streaming Video? [View article]
I use both but prefer Netflix interface. I don't care for the fact that premium movies and free ones are mixed together when I search. Netflix monthly subscription feels more affordable because it is monthly and I can cancel anytime I want.
It takes a lot for people to change brands. To a lesser degree, it is like getting a MAC user to buy a PC. Clearly that is more involved but the psychology is the same. "I know Netflix and Amazon Prime is different, therefore it is a hassle to change".
Amazon Prime is a great value but comparing just the streaming services, Netflix is still significantly better.
Why You Need To Sell Netflix Now Before It Falls Further [View article]
I am not convinced that Amazon and Apple are committed to the streaming video space. Amazon is a retailer/technology company and Apple sells hardware. They only use streaming to lure people into using their other products/services.
I believe the Epix deal was a target of opportunity, not a signal of Amazon's ambition. If Amazon had purchased exclusive rights I would think differently but they did not. Amazon is not giving Neflix subscribers a reason to cancel their Netflix subscription.
I think the real competition will come from Coinstar/Verizon when their streaming service comes online.
Is This The End Of Netflix Streaming Video? [View article]
The Epix move was unexpected. Perhaps Amazon is more committed than I thought.
However, accessibility and name recognition are still in favor of Netflix and that may give tehm the time they need to pull a rabbit out of their hat. I am very interested to see if they have something cooking. If they don't, I agree that it will be only a matter of time before they are irrelevant.
You are absolutely right. Frankly, Amazon is a better company. If Amazon decides to commit to the streaming video space they may be able to crush Netflix outright.
My point and the point of the article is that Netflix needs to do something to keep what littel edge it has in the streaming space because it is rapidly evaporating. I think social media tie-ins, unique content (why not publish video games from small software developers like they do films) and technical services are a few decent ideas.
They can't afford to provide the same product. It has to improve or they will be over taken. They need to prepare for war.
Is This The End Of Netflix Streaming Video? [View article]
I don't think the battle is lost for Netflix. In my opinion, the call to battle has just sounded. Netflix still holds a competitive advantage in name recognition, subscriber base and accessibility. Admittedly, the margin of that advantage has diminished over the past year.
While I am not investing for now, I am watching Netflix over the course of the next 6 months to see what CEO Reed Hastings plans to do about the increasingly aggressive competition. I think the announcement of Open Connect to be an indication of where they are heading. I expect there transition to be more focused on expanding their Content Delivery Network and providing additional features and technical services. I do not expect to see them retreat into obscure movies and their own original content.
I think you under-estimate the power of that "D level content". I enjoy combing through the independent films, foriegn films and old TVs shows that don't appear on Amazon Prime. I subscribe to both because I enjoy the purchase/rent option that Amazon Prime has. For new films I use Redbox. I know many people that do the same.
The "content" issue is one that can be debated endlessly because we all enjoy different things to different degrees. What you consider D-list, I consider something to keep me awake at 230am while I am rocking my 1 year old daughter back to sleep.
My argument isn't that Amazon isn't catching up, just that they have not caught up yet. The margin is narrowing but it is still there in my opinion.
Based on the people (regular consumers) that I speak with many still don't know much about Amazon Prime. I think name recognition and the fact that they are on so many platforms still gives them a slight edge. As I stated in the article, I don't think Amazon forces people to make a decision at this point. They can keep both for different reasons with ampl justification. Once Amazon catches up on content people may decide to cut Netflix out of their budget but that is still a little ways off (Closer with the Epix announcement made earlier today).
biobat, I agree that Netflix is currently a bad investment. Traders will make money jumping in and out of this stock because it is divisive. People want to love it providing support in the low $50s. I expect it to bounce off those levels quite often over the next 6 month to provide incremental return that decide to play that game.
I still love the service but think they need to add features (games, social media tie-ins etc) to keep the small competitive edge they currently have.
I have been in and out of Netflix a few times. I love the product but am not a fan of the management.
Coinstar is intriguing and I will be taking a much closer look at them in the near future. They have made some good moves recently. They bought out Blockbuster's kiosk business, partnering with Starbux to deploy coffee kiosks and the streaming venture with Verizon. What's next? I am interested.
I think they definitely are a safer bet than Netflix at this stage in the game but based on the irrational way Netflix's stock may have more short term upside. There is something there depending on your trading style. Personally, I am avoiding Netflix for now.
Is This The End Of Netflix Streaming Video? [View article]
It takes a lot for people to change brands. To a lesser degree, it is like getting a MAC user to buy a PC. Clearly that is more involved but the psychology is the same. "I know Netflix and Amazon Prime is different, therefore it is a hassle to change".
Amazon Prime is a great value but comparing just the streaming services, Netflix is still significantly better.
Is This The End Of Netflix Streaming Video? [View article]
http://seekingalpha.co...
Why You Need To Sell Netflix Now Before It Falls Further [View article]
I believe the Epix deal was a target of opportunity, not a signal of Amazon's ambition. If Amazon had purchased exclusive rights I would think differently but they did not. Amazon is not giving Neflix subscribers a reason to cancel their Netflix subscription.
I think the real competition will come from Coinstar/Verizon when their streaming service comes online.
http://seekingalpha.co...
Is This The End Of Netflix Streaming Video? [View article]
I agree. There isn't a reason to have choose one over the other currently. I think that is what most consumers that know about Amazon Prime think.
Is This The End Of Netflix Streaming Video? [View article]
However, accessibility and name recognition are still in favor of Netflix and that may give tehm the time they need to pull a rabbit out of their hat. I am very interested to see if they have something cooking. If they don't, I agree that it will be only a matter of time before they are irrelevant.
Netflix Needs To Prepare For War [View article]
You are absolutely right. Frankly, Amazon is a better company. If Amazon decides to commit to the streaming video space they may be able to crush Netflix outright.
My point and the point of the article is that Netflix needs to do something to keep what littel edge it has in the streaming space because it is rapidly evaporating. I think social media tie-ins, unique content (why not publish video games from small software developers like they do films) and technical services are a few decent ideas.
They can't afford to provide the same product. It has to improve or they will be over taken. They need to prepare for war.
Is This The End Of Netflix Streaming Video? [View article]
http://seekingalpha.co...
While I am not investing for now, I am watching Netflix over the course of the next 6 months to see what CEO Reed Hastings plans to do about the increasingly aggressive competition. I think the announcement of Open Connect to be an indication of where they are heading. I expect there transition to be more focused on expanding their Content Delivery Network and providing additional features and technical services. I do not expect to see them retreat into obscure movies and their own original content.
Netflix Needs To Prepare For War [View article]
The "content" issue is one that can be debated endlessly because we all enjoy different things to different degrees. What you consider D-list, I consider something to keep me awake at 230am while I am rocking my 1 year old daughter back to sleep.
My argument isn't that Amazon isn't catching up, just that they have not caught up yet. The margin is narrowing but it is still there in my opinion.
Netflix Needs To Prepare For War [View article]
Netflix Needs To Prepare For War [View article]
I still love the service but think they need to add features (games, social media tie-ins etc) to keep the small competitive edge they currently have.
Netflix Needs To Prepare For War [View article]
I wrote a couple of articles on it. Here is the better of the two:
http://seekingalpha.co...
Netflix Needs To Prepare For War [View article]
Coinstar is intriguing and I will be taking a much closer look at them in the near future. They have made some good moves recently. They bought out Blockbuster's kiosk business, partnering with Starbux to deploy coffee kiosks and the streaming venture with Verizon. What's next? I am interested.
I think they definitely are a safer bet than Netflix at this stage in the game but based on the irrational way Netflix's stock may have more short term upside. There is something there depending on your trading style. Personally, I am avoiding Netflix for now.
Netflix Needs To Prepare For War [View article]
Netflix Needs To Prepare For War [View article]
Netflix Needs To Prepare For War [View article]