Netflix (NFLX) CEO Reed Hastings says Europe will be a major focus of the company over the next two to three years as he sees the company's streaming service eventually landing in nearly every nation on the planet with the possible exception of the always-problematic China. He takes on the threat of Amazon head on, noting that Netflix spends 3X what Amazon does on content to the benefit of customers and calling Amazon Prime a "confusing mess" with an algorithm that isn't as clever as that of Netflix. [View news story]
I have a PlayStation 3, and the NetFlix app (version 2.1) only shows recommendations after the movie has finished. As I said above, Amazon also offers movie trailers with their PlatStation 3 app.
YouTube just released a new app for the PlatStation 3 as well (back in August), which offers high-def video streaming (which wasn't available in the previous YouTube app).
Netflix (NFLX) CEO Reed Hastings says Europe will be a major focus of the company over the next two to three years as he sees the company's streaming service eventually landing in nearly every nation on the planet with the possible exception of the always-problematic China. He takes on the threat of Amazon head on, noting that Netflix spends 3X what Amazon does on content to the benefit of customers and calling Amazon Prime a "confusing mess" with an algorithm that isn't as clever as that of Netflix. [View news story]
Agreed-Amazon offer's new/pre-releases (at a premium) which NetFlix doesn't, and the Amazon app (on PlayStation) has a couple more features than Netflix (recommendations for content you like , and movie trailers).
Netflix Is Losing Its Competitive Advantage [View article]
There are a few actions NetFlix can take to heighten its competitive advantage;
- Offer additional paid-for-content – Amazon Prime offers thousands of free streaming (select) movies and TV shows ($79 year, which includes additional benefits on Amazon). For $2.99 up to $14.99 per, you can rent a streaming title. Some titles are not yet released in theaters, others, just released to DVD. The bulk however is old titles. As Prime has done, why not offer newer content at a premium?
- Develop more original programming – YouTube is organizing its collection of user driven content, and working to make it easier to search/find engaging content, on its web based, and it’s mobile/wifi based hardware systems. YouTube released a new PlayStation 3 app (in August) which simplifies the user experience, but still lacks basic features (effective streaming, resuming, related content, etc…). Can NetFlix develop original content as quickly as YouTube? No, but they can partner with leading content developers on YouTube which expands their library, and provides additional exposure for content authors.
- Upgrade third party apps – using NetFlix on the iphone or SonyPlaystation is extremely frustrating, while their web based user interface offers many usability features, its apps leave much to be desired. For example, its lacking; recommendations for content you like (SonyPlaystation Amazon Prime app does this well, NetFlix shows you related content after the title is over), cross-referencing/linking of actors, directors, genres, etc…, member reviews, and movie trailers to name a few. As members start upgrading their TV’s and mobile devices, fewer are going to want to develop their Instant Queue on their computer, to then watch on their TV/mobile device. Why not make it easy to do it all from the app?
Ultimately, as a member to Amazon Prime, NetFlix, YouTube, and Hulu, I spend more of my time on NetFlix. However, I have been spending more money each month on buying new releases and pre-releases from Amazon Instant Video. YouTube offers some great content, but it’s hard to find, and the usability of their app is way behind the curve (compared to Amazon and NetFlix). Hulu, well I just don’t like the interface.
As Amazon expands their Prime Instant Video library to include more titles, I’d be more likely to cancel my NetFlix account (Amazon has access to newer content, better features, and is at a lower price point).
Netflix (NFLX) CEO Reed Hastings says Europe will be a major focus of the company over the next two to three years as he sees the company's streaming service eventually landing in nearly every nation on the planet with the possible exception of the always-problematic China. He takes on the threat of Amazon head on, noting that Netflix spends 3X what Amazon does on content to the benefit of customers and calling Amazon Prime a "confusing mess" with an algorithm that isn't as clever as that of Netflix. [View news story]
YouTube just released a new app for the PlatStation 3 as well (back in August), which offers high-def video streaming (which wasn't available in the previous YouTube app).
Netflix (NFLX) CEO Reed Hastings says Europe will be a major focus of the company over the next two to three years as he sees the company's streaming service eventually landing in nearly every nation on the planet with the possible exception of the always-problematic China. He takes on the threat of Amazon head on, noting that Netflix spends 3X what Amazon does on content to the benefit of customers and calling Amazon Prime a "confusing mess" with an algorithm that isn't as clever as that of Netflix. [View news story]
Netflix Is Losing Its Competitive Advantage [View article]
- Offer additional paid-for-content – Amazon Prime offers thousands of free streaming (select) movies and TV shows ($79 year, which includes additional benefits on Amazon). For $2.99 up to $14.99 per, you can rent a streaming title. Some titles are not yet released in theaters, others, just released to DVD. The bulk however is old titles. As Prime has done, why not offer newer content at a premium?
- Develop more original programming – YouTube is organizing its collection of user driven content, and working to make it easier to search/find engaging content, on its web based, and it’s mobile/wifi based hardware systems. YouTube released a new PlayStation 3 app (in August) which simplifies the user experience, but still lacks basic features (effective streaming, resuming, related content, etc…). Can NetFlix develop original content as quickly as YouTube? No, but they can partner with leading content developers on YouTube which expands their library, and provides additional exposure for content authors.
- Upgrade third party apps – using NetFlix on the iphone or SonyPlaystation is extremely frustrating, while their web based user interface offers many usability features, its apps leave much to be desired. For example, its lacking; recommendations for content you like (SonyPlaystation Amazon Prime app does this well, NetFlix shows you related content after the title is over), cross-referencing/linking of actors, directors, genres, etc…, member reviews, and movie trailers to name a few. As members start upgrading their TV’s and mobile devices, fewer are going to want to develop their Instant Queue on their computer, to then watch on their TV/mobile device. Why not make it easy to do it all from the app?
Ultimately, as a member to Amazon Prime, NetFlix, YouTube, and Hulu, I spend more of my time on NetFlix. However, I have been spending more money each month on buying new releases and pre-releases from Amazon Instant Video. YouTube offers some great content, but it’s hard to find, and the usability of their app is way behind the curve (compared to Amazon and NetFlix). Hulu, well I just don’t like the interface.
As Amazon expands their Prime Instant Video library to include more titles, I’d be more likely to cancel my NetFlix account (Amazon has access to newer content, better features, and is at a lower price point).