Hacking NetFlix

Turner Classic Movies Presents "31 Days of Oscar"

I know we all have Netflix or Blockbuster subscriptions, but I thought this was worth mentioning. Turner Classic Movies is running 340 Academy Award winning and nominated movies (uncut and commercial free) from February 1st to March 1st. For a complete schedule, visit: TurnerClassicMovies.com.

New Releases for February 1st, 2005

Here's the list of new releases for February 1st, 2005.

Movies of note include Ray (6 Oscar nominations), The Grudge, Shall We Dance, Chariots of Fire (1981 Best Picture, Academy Awards), Vanity Fair, The Life of Emile Zola (winner of 3 Oscars), and The Broadway Melody of 1929 (the first musical to win a best picture Oscar).

Netflix Checking Delivery Times

Netflix has sent me several e-mails over the past 2+ years that I've been a member, checking to see how long it takes for me to get to a movie.

Yes, I rented and enjoyed Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle.

Has anyone received an e-mail like this from Blockbuster?

Thanks to Andrew for suggesting this story.

Motley Fool Radio Scores Reed Hastings Interview

The Motley Fool has recorded an interview with Netflix CEO Reed Hastings.

Hastings went on, at our request, to rank the competitive threat he thinks that Blockbuster, Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, and Microsoft present to Netflix. Want to know how he ranked them? Tune in to The Motley Fool Radio Show this weekend to find out. Check out NPR's Fool Radio website to find a station near you.

They'll also be posting a transcript of the interview in several parts next week on Fool.com.

If Reed will talk to the Fool, why won't he talk to Hacking Netflix? Sniff, sniff.

Thanks to Musegirl for sending this in.

Netflix Reviewer Blogging From Sundance

Jason Calacanis is reporting that Netflix film critic James Rocchi is blogging from the Sundance Movie Festival.

Be sure to check out Jason's excellent coverage of the festival.

Netflix is Hiring

Becky at the Netflix Fan Blog discovered that Netflix is hiring again.

Interesting Movie Review Podcast Site

If you're not familiar with Podcasting, it's a cool technology that enables you to automatically download audio files to your iPod or music player (I listen to Podcasts on an iPaq). Podcasts are delivered using the same technology (RSS) that enables you to subscribe to weblogs.

Podcasts are an excellent replacement for the garbage that is on commercial radio today, and the shows are done on an amazing variety of topics.

I saw a link to the Reel Reviews Blog on Micropursuasion.com, and I listened to a review of "Apocalypse Now." I love reading blogs, but there's something amazing about listening to someone talk that takes this experience to a new level.

They have done 23 movie reviews so far, so find one you like and give it a try. You can click on the the link and listen to the audio on your computer (you don't need an iPod). The production values on the podcasts are excellent and they did a good job researching the films they review.

More on the Blockbuster $9.99 Offer

I should look at HackingNetflix.com more often. ;-)

I was checking out the latest posts and noticed the Blockbuster ad on my site had changed. I bet most people don't know that the typical offer has been a 2 week free trial of the service, so the $9.99 price seems like a real bargain (and Blockbuster gets to charge your credit card immediately).

The $9.99 price is for new customers only, and is only good for one month. You'll pay the normal price of $14.99 per month after that.

I wonder if they are completely eliminating the free trials?

Netflix Customer Support Says One Movie Per Mailer

I received this following e-mail from "mOnstermike," who asked Netflix customer support about sending two movies back in a single mailer:

Thanks for your inquiry.

Please keep in mind all discs need to be returned in their own white protective sleeve to ensure that they will be properly credited to your account. Please note, we strongly recommend only placing one DVD in a return mailer at a time, unless it is an extreme situation and you must place two in a mailer. Our mailers are designed to hold only one DVD and having multiple DVDs inside the envelope may cause the envelope to become damaged and possibly result in a lost disc. Additionally discs without a sleeve are forwarded to our distribution center to have a new sleeve generated and are then checked in. Therefore, to expedite the return of your movies please include the sleeve.

We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding.

Thanks,
[name withheld]
Netflix Customer Service .

Netflix #4 Online Advertiser in Q4

MediaPost.com is reporting that Netflix was one of the top advertisers on the Internet in Q4 2004 with more than 5.47 billion (not a typo) impressions.