Netflix Hiding New Releases From Some Customers?

Emily writes about a missing link to the Netflix new releases page:

I've been a netflix subscriber since about March 2007 (1 out at a time, unlimited, $8.99) and my folks signed up about 4 months earlier. In short, I was saying that I wished Netflix had a "New Releases" section and they said that they did and that is was right on the main screen. I thought, hmmm - odd that I don't see that from my acct page and even when I search for it, it comes up as "file not found"???? I contacted nextflix and spoke w/ a cust service rep (she was pleasant enough) and she confirmed that my acct was part of a test group and that this facet of the site was disabled, with our only recourse to look at other sites for the info. I requested to be removed from said test group so I could get the "full" functionality of the site that I was paying for (my folks are on the same monthly plan) and was apologetically told this was not possible after speaking w/her supervisor. She did offer to compensate me (2 movies out at a time for 1 month - no added charge for a period of 1 month), but said there was nothing else I could do. I asked if I closed my account, then opened a new one (pain in the arse if you aks me) would this be rectified - she had no clue...

Are you missing the New Releases page?

Comments

[MCWHAMMER]

That just makes me mad right there. Obviously Netflix is trying to cover its butt by not showing the new releases it can't afford to buy enough of. Looks like I'll never get to see Ratatouille :(

They had better not start removing features from my account, its bare bones enough as it is. The more they remove, the better chance I'm unsubscribing.

Right now I still have the page. So he couldn't get to the page if he even had the url to it? Here is the url I get for it: http://www.netflix.com/NewReleases?lnkctr=mhNR

[jawzforlife]

I never even use the Netflix new release page. I like to be able to scan the DVD cover along with the title. And Netflix does not show you the DVD cover unless you click the link. And I don't have all day to click every single movie title link.

I use movieweb.com
http://www.movieweb.com/dvd/releases/week.php

That site is alot easier to scan for new movies.

[shadoh]

jawzforlife, not sure what you're doing wrong. I get the dvd covers on mine. http://willworkforfood.net/~shadoh/netflix-nr.jpg

[machinegunn]

I'm generally a bit of a Netflix apologist, but there is no defending this. I think it's a great move to try different formats of the website on different groups, but if you've got people calling customer service to be returned to the "standard" format, do it immediately.

agreed... Netflix needs to do the right thing in this instance. fix the account, and don't take the new releases pages away.

[conform]

Frustrated. I too do not have the infamous button. AGAIN, I had to search for the actor in the movie to add it to my queue. You would think that some mention of current movies would be on my homepage. Instead it is recommend movies. I called Netflix to complain. A nice gentleman informed me that I should "cancel your account and add it right back" and then hopefully the button may appear. say what. Apparently there are x-number of websites. I am fortunate enough to have the janky one. To not have that function on a movie rental site is ridiculous. I think I might join Blockbuster.

[CJ]

Must be missing something here. Ethically, one has to "opt in" to be part of a test group if it's an advertised, paid service - the person doesn't necessarily have to know what's being tested, however, if the person is paying for a service, that person should be told up front about a test group.

What on earth are they testing "New Releases" for in the first place? Must be part of that inane personal recommendation service NF keeps bragging about - which I generally ignore, since it is so far off the mark for me even after rating 3,600+ titles across all genres.

[aliquidparadigm]

Since when does New = Good?

Am I the only person who really doesn't care about new releases? I can't remember the last time that I was concerned with getting a movie as it released.

However, it does make sense that Netflix would "hide" new releases; as many people will tell you, there is a clear supply and demand issue with new releases, since we've all been brainwashed into believing that we must have it now that it's new. If Netflix doesn't push new releases on people, then that will lower the eventual number of new releases being requested, which will make more copies available for those who are renting because they want it, not because it's new. It makes perfect sense.

But I agree with CJ: The recommendations feature is very, very hit-or-miss... mostly miss.

[Donuts]

You aren't missing out on much, I have the page, it is a single page, and it shows a grand total of 22 movies.

Maybe we are all part of a test group, for every single feature, every possible font, and everything that we click on.

They used to email me and just ask when I mailed my movies back, then they wanted to know which actresses I would most like to sleep with, now they wish to know which cheeses I prefer.

We are just rats in their cage, their EVIL MOVIE-MAILING CAGE.

feed me more, please.

[Reese]

I have the new releases page, with cover images. It is also not just a single page with 22 movies. The main new releases page has 22, but it also leads you to "more new releases," "releasing this week," and "new on DVD." Each of those pages only has a few cover images, but you only have to hover a title, not click, to see the DVD cover.

I've been a netflix subscriber since 2005, and have only actually used the new releases button about 5 times total (and that's including just now).

[Meg]

I agree that you aren't missing much of anything. I also get the New Releases page just fine -- it's a single screen and doesn't even actually list what I would call "New Releases." It's got "Disturbia" on it, for one thing, and that's been out for months.

I've never even looked at this New Releases page before, btw. I subscribe to the RSS feed that sends me all the movies being released each week, so have no need to check the actual New Release web page. I wonder if Emily is also blocked from subscribing to that feed?

[Spiky]

All the "New Releases" on that page are at least a month old. Netflix does not post them up there until all the demand for the movie has died down.

[Hunter McDaniel]

I think some folks are jumping to conclusions that this is part of a plot to suppress demand for new releases. Still, if Netflix has any brains then someone there reads this site and will contact Mike to set the record straight as to what this "test" is really all about.

NF is always diddling with their web-site and there have been lots of times when changes got applied to different users in waves; it's a way of reducing the risk if something goes wrong with a change. And IIRC they generally haven't asked those users beforehand.

I don't have much use for the New Releases page myself (although it still comes up for me). I find out about new releases right here, with the list that Mike posts every week.

[willielumlum]

netflix is always testing, whether it a new release page or lack thereof, or different plan prices for the same 3 out plan. I agree with most people that this is kind of a dumb idea, but lets be honest, Netflix isn't a "New Release" rental service anyway. the thing is, testing is usually for brand new members and if you're a new member you shouldn't even know you were missing a tab unless, like the original post said, you have a friend who does.

[Bobby]

Yikes, that's a weird thing for a company to do.

Although I have that particular feature, I really don't use it.

I do add movies that are out in theaters now that I think are interesting, but probably won't get to see while they're in the theaters. They get put into that "saved" area. Then when they're going to be released on DVD, they automatically get moved up to the main list, along with a release date.

Does that not work for other folks?

[cyber.diva]

My new releases page has always been on the second profile I have (I have four) never on the main profile page. I always check out new releases at http://www.dvdverdict.com/

[Edward R Murrow]

I'm still not getting it. Shouldn't all Netflix customers expect the same treatment? Why are some of us Netflix customers second class citizens? It just doesn't seem fair.

[XVarX]

I expect to be part of that "test" group soon since the ideal subscriber on the 3-out plan should only be renting 2 to 5 titles per month.

I use the new releases page quite often to see what came out for the week. I don't necessarily rent a lot of new titles, the exception being TV series that nobody else carries. But I do like knowing what is out, in case Netflix has a newly released independent DVD that nobody else will carry.

When it comes to titles like Superbad or whatever the big mainstream release is, I could care less.

But for me, it's a great tool as far as browsing new titles for the week by genre, especially the niche genres.

Kinda makes me wonder if they'll test out a new feature in which the site will not even allow certain customers to see new titles in any manner, even via title searches.

[Hunter McDaniel]

"I'm still not getting it. Shouldn't all Netflix customers expect the same treatment? Why are some of us Netflix customers second class citizens? It just doesn't seem fair."

So far all we know is that Netflix is testing a site layout that doesn't have a New Releases tab. No evidence tying that test to usage pattern, or anything else. Cool your jets, man.

[noe638]

I think most of you the replies are missing the point. The rep said he is part of a test group. If you are part of a test group that doesn't have the features of people that are not part of the test group. Netflix should ask you ahead of time if you would like to be a part of it. The fact that the New Releases page is worthless is irrelevant...he wants it and he wants out of the test group...seems like a perfectly reasonable request to me.

actually, for strictly accurate numerical user testing, you would not want to inform the users ahead of time, otherwise you affect the results. for poll, interview, or subjective testing, you can be a bit looser with the context/awareness. Netflix is in an odd spot though, because a user has become aware of the test, and in this case, probably should just be taken out of the test group.

[xoxo]

Does anybody read the Terms of Use anymore nowadays. It states there CLEARLY that they do testing all the time, and they do it without notice.

"Service Testing
From time to time, we test various aspects of our service, including service levels, plans, promotions, features, title availability, delivery, and pricing, and we reserve the right to include you in or exclude you from these tests without notice. "
So really, they have no reason to inform you, and if you are such a big movie buff, you probably would know what movies are coming out soon right?? Well if you do, it won't take you long to go ahead and just type in the search bar. There is no reason why someone would get bent out of shape because their new release page isn't there. I don't get the importance. The movies are there, it's not like you are not allowed to rent them, new releases or not. I'm just saying.

[ScottZ]

Get over it people. If you are missing this option it is because Netflix isn't making money off of you and one way to offset this is to hide new releases which is something their profitable customers want.

Netflix could purchase more copies but then their monthly costs would go up and they might lose you anyways.

The Netflix product is what it is. I think its great. If they remove these options from you, and you don't like it, leave their service, Netflix will likly be losing an unprofitable customer, something which is better for Netflix and their customers.

[BoB]

It's just another example of corporate America.

"So really, they have no reason to inform you"

Do they HAVE to tell you - per the terms, no. SHOULD they tell you when they remove a feature from your account - absolutely, it's the "right" thing to do. But, its reasons like this we have $3-4 gasoline, everything made in China, $4 milk, $2.19 eggs, mortgage rates thru the roof, property taxes double/triple, etc, etc, etc.

Because we take it!!! Oh yes, we whine a little bit but then just step right on up and keep paying thru the nose. It's no wonder other countries look upon us as ungrateful, wasteful people!!!

[Edward R Murrow]

I'm in the test group of 3-out who can *NEVER* get New Releases. Oh wait a minute - that's virtually all customers who actually use the service and watch 3 movies per week. The entire Netflix customer base is a test group! ;-)