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Subscription services like Netflix Watch Instantly generates 20x the revenue of pay-per-downloads

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Aug 6th 2009 at 4:22PM

Netflix Streaming
Now this is one stat from an analyst that we wouldn't refute, but we do wonder how Versaly Entertainment aquired this information. How exactly does one calculate streaming revenue from a subscription service like Netflix anyways? To be fair we are only assuming that Netflix is involved here as it wasn't specifically mentioned, but we really can't think of any other subscription based video streaming service. Our best guess is that the revenue in question is based on what the studios are receiving and not for the service itself. Regardless, it isn't hard to figure out why no one is paying $4-$5 for the 24 hour rights to watch a movie on any of the pay-per-download services out there. Especially when you can rent a movie from just about anywhere via Redbox for $1.

Read -- Subscription downloads outperform pay-view.
Read -- Redbox undermining DVD value

HD Netflix streaming goes live on Xbox 360

by Darren Murph posted Nov 20th 2008 at 7:19PM


For anyone with a Netflix subscription, an Xbox 360 and a broadband internet connection, you probably don't need a reminder that the first glimpse of high-def Netflix streaming launched this week. With the public release of the New Xbox Experience came HD Netflix streaming, and Rachel over at Tom's Guide couldn't wait to give it a rip. Sadly, her initial impressions weren't filled with elation, but that could have something to do with the overload of users tapping in today and her lackluster TWC internet connection. At any rate, we figured we'd give you a heads-up to give it a go if you haven't already, and if you're far away from your console at the moment, hit the read link for a first take.

[Thanks, Caleb]

Netflix Watch Instantly coming to TiVo

by Richard Lawler posted Oct 30th 2008 at 12:01AM Breaking News


The TiVo Series 3 and TiVo HD join the ranks of the Xbox 360, Roku and various Blu-ray players, with Netflix Watch Instantly streaming movies coming to several thousand households today in beta testing, followed by a wide release scheduled for "early December." There won't be any additional fees (other than you TiVo and Netflix subs, of course) leaving the only questions when does high definition video arrive and how do we get in the early tests? Check out the full press release after the break.

Continue reading Netflix Watch Instantly coming to TiVo

HD Netflix streaming comes to Xbox 360 first

by Darren Murph posted Oct 29th 2008 at 12:01AM Breaking News

It's something you can't get on the Roku. Nor on LG's BD300. Nor on Samsung's P2500 / P2550 Blu-ray players. Nor through Netflix's own "Watch Instantly" portal. It's high-def Netflix streaming, and it's coming first to Microsoft's Xbox 360. Yes friends, when the all new dashboard hits on November 19th, with it will come HD Netflix streaming for (US-based, presumably) Xbox Live Gold members. You should know that this is only a "soft launch" with about 300 titles available for now, and the litany of details you're surely craving simply aren't available at present time. At any rate, we'd say things just got a lot more interesting in the world of digital downloads, but there's really no need. The real question is: when will everyone else follow suit, and how quickly can we expect current Netflix streamers to get the HD upgrade?

Update: We're hearing this whole HD Netflix streaming thing may actually hit all those other boxes in late November as well. Guess we'll see in time, huh?

Netflix "Watch Now" streaming support coming to Mac by year's end

by Darren Murph posted Oct 1st 2008 at 5:57PM


Netflix didn't bother to mention this teeny, tiny snippet in its recent release confirming the deal with Starz, but we felt it was important enough to highlight. Over on the official Netflix blog, Brent made exceptionally clear that the team has been toiling away on a solution that would enable Mac users to tap into the Watch Now streaming feature. Best of all? Netflix should "have something for [us] by the end of the year." Huzzah!

Netflix API open to all: let the developing begin

by Darren Murph posted Sep 30th 2008 at 7:55PM


Good news, developers of the world -- the Netflix API will be open to all starting tomorrow. As of October 1st, absolutely anyone can self-signup by visiting the read link, and while details are a tad sketchy at the moment, it sounds like this could hold some serious promise. The API itself allows access to data for 100,000 movie and TV episode titles, is completely free and (most importantly) allows commercial use. In other words, it's kosher if a bright developer out there somewhere feels like "creating an iPhone app to sell for $0.99 (Netflix's words, not ours)." On the technical side, the API includes a REST API, Javascript API and ATOM feeds, and it also uses OAuth standard security "to allow the subscriber to control which applications can access the service on his or her behalf." It's time to get creative, folks.

vmcNetFlix add-in enables Xbox 360 viewing of Netflix 'Watch Now' content

by Darren Murph posted May 13th 2008 at 6:36AM


We've already seen Orb play nice with DirecTV's HR21, but what about integrating Netflix's "Watch Now" content into one's Xbox 360? vmcNetFlix, a brilliant add-in for Windows Vista Media Center, enables users to manage their Netflix subscription, stream Netflix "Watch Now" movies directly from the Media Center player or download those movies for playback at a later time from a "WatchLater" gallery. Theoretically, this will enable any Vista Extender to play nice with Netflix, but for those with an Xbox 360 laying around already, there's no need to go out and purchase a standalone unit. There's a plethora of additional information and near daily updates with changes and bug fixes going on in the read link, so be sure to give that a look if this sounds like something you'd be interested in.

[Via Thomas Hawk's Digital Connection]

Workaround enables Netflix 'Watch Now' titles to be decrypted, saved

by Darren Murph posted Aug 8th 2007 at 6:29AM


Looking for a new way to use FairUse4WM? Have a Netflix account? If so, go on and roll your sleeves up, as a crafty (and acrimonious) fellow has managed to find a workaround that enables you to not only decrypt the DRM-laced "Watch Now" movie files, but save them to your hard drive for future viewing. Admittedly, the process is somewhere between painless and potentially frustrating, but the gist of it involves Windows Media Player 11, FairUse4WM, Notepad, a Netflix account, and a broadband connection. Through a series of hoop jumping, users can now strip the "Watch Now" files free of DRM and watch them at their leisure and on any video-playing device they choose. Granted, there's certainly issues of legality mixed in here, but where there's a will, there's a way. [Warning: Read link language potentially NSFW]

[Via TVSquad]




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