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Netflix doing away with secondhand DVD sales on website

by Darren Murph posted Nov 4th 2008 at 4:12PM


One thing's for sure -- Netflix isn't afraid of trimming back anything it feels is hindering its ability to excel on its core offerings. On a posting over at the official Netflix Blog, Meghan has announced that the outfit's previously viewed DVD section will be vanishing on November 30th. In case that's not crystal clear, after that day, members will no longer be able to purchase secondhand DVDs from the company. According to her, Netflix has decided to refocus its efforts exclusively on providing DVD rentals via mail and online rentals via broadband. We're also hearing that the firm's current stash of DVDs will be offloaded to a wholesaler for resell, but unless you feel like ponying up for yet another middleman, you may want to snap up a few now while there's still time. Or, you could just complain really loudly and see if it has another miraculous change of heart.

[Image courtesy of FutureGringo, via Silicon Alley Insider]

DirecTV and TNS partner up to analyze "second-by-second" viewing habits

by Darren Murph posted Jan 31st 2008 at 7:50PM


Listen up, DirecTV users -- select TiVo customers aren't the only ones having their viewing habits inspected with a microscope. Apparently, your satellite provider has just teamed up with TNS Media Research to find a willing audience (read: opt-in participants only) of 100,000 folks that will allow the two to closely analyze exactly what they do when camped in front of the tube. More specifically, TNS is hoping to launch DIRECTView later this year, which will measure "the total viewing [of the aforementioned group], including the live and time-shifted (DVR) viewing of programs and commercials at a second-by-second interval." According to Eric Shanks, EVP of DirecTV Entertainment, the goal here "is to develop a panel capability that will provide important insights across its advertising platform," which will "in turn provide its advertisers and programming partners [with] an unparalleled level of measurement accuracy and accountability." It's also pretty creepy, but unfortunately, not at all surprising.

Currys, Dixons to stop selling analog TVs in Europe

by Darren Murph posted Jan 23rd 2008 at 6:01PM


DSG International, the parent company to Currys, Dixons and PC World stores across Europe, has announced that it will no longer be stocking analog sets (sound familiar?). Granted, only 10-percent of the remaining TVs it sold were of the analog flavor, but it looks as if even those units will soon be gone. Reportedly, the chains are looking to further promote units with integrated digital Freeview tuners, and considering that some parts of Europe have already begun the analog-to-digital switchover, we suppose that follows logic precisely. Also of note, these same retailers will halt sales of DVD recorders with only analog tuners within, but on the real, we can't say we'll miss 'em.

[Image courtesy of Waltondale, thanks CMC]

Grant's Appliances reportedly ditching HD DVD

by Darren Murph posted Jan 22nd 2008 at 5:31PM

We wouldn't call this one definite just yet, but according to "sources" cited by TGDaily, a Chicagoland retailer is shedding its purple skin in favor of Blu. Reportedly, it has "stopped ordering new HD DVD supply" entirely, and while it's said that existing inventory has been depleted, we reckon you may be able to score a real deal should you find a locale with one last HD-A3 just begging for an owner. 'Course, whether or not you should plunk down any coin whatsoever on HD DVD -- considering the state of things and all -- is another matter entirely.

[Thanks, Dave]

TiVo looks to serve up demographic data to marketers

by Darren Murph posted Nov 8th 2007 at 10:51AM


Don't you dare criticize TiVo's ad collecting / disseminating department for slacking off, as just months after it launched StopWatch to offer up second-by-second viewing data, the company is planning to also hand over demographic information about its customers. The move is certainly likely to shift TiVo into Big Brother's list of most highly-regarded outfits, as the information that will soon be shared with advertisers (we're hearing it may be opt-in only, however) includes "age, income, marital status and ethnicity." There's no telling how much coinage TiVo will be raking in for such detailed data, but at least willing users can now watch intently knowing full well that they're letting it all (and we mean all) hang out.

Update: Turns out this is indeed an opt-in program. Thanks, Jake!

[Via Reuters]




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