Are You Willing to Wait 30 Days for New Releases from Netflix?

The news that Netflix is negotiating with the studios to create a new DVD rental window 30 days after the DVD release is causing quite a stir online. MG Siegler from TechCrunch thinks that this will drive new-release hungry customers to piracy, Chris Albrecht at NewTeeVee thinks this is a shrewd move by Netflix, and Phil Villarreal from Consumerist writes that "Netflix will screw you for the right price."

So what do you, Netflix subscribers, think of waiting 30 days after the DVD release for rental?

Comments

[Fred Fredrickson]

The fact is, it's a stupid idea. I'm not going to buy "UP" because it's availble for purchase not rent. I will wait till I can rent it. If I can't rent it, I honestly don't give half a crap.

My take on movies has always been the same- if I love a movie, I may purchase it. But I determine this after I watch a movie, NEVER before. I only buy a movie I think is re-watchable. There's only one way to find out. The old way? Netflix. The new way? Bit Torrent.

[Chris]

This deal is going to drastically cut Netflix's costs at the expense of its subscribers. If Netflix is going to make a substantial cut in its user fees I would not have problem with it. Otherwise they are just making their service less valuable to me.

[Tim]

I have a queue. Video release dates just mean that the video is in my queue. I'm in no way in tune with when videos are coming out anymore.

And I have no desire to ever buy a movie again. Rental is great. It's not piracy that's killing dvd sales. It's the fact that I have access to more movies than I can see in a lifetime whenever I want them.
Business models change. They didn't even have DVD sales as part of their business model twenty years ago.

[Seth]

Forget what the customers think or the journalists think.

The result is going to be PAIN.

Pain for Netflix: The move will hurt Netflix revenues as the attractiveness and value of their service is decreased.

Pain for customers: Netflix subscribers will be unhappy, confused and frustrated.

Pain for the studios: The move won't generate any additional profits for the studios and will eventually be abandoned will every other short-sighted strategy they've come up with in response to new technologies like VCRs, DVRs and downloading.

[Seth]

Further... I think Reed Hastings may end up considering this to be his biggest mistake ever if they go through with it.

However, they are clearly up against a wall. Get involved in hostile lawsuits with the studios that will drag on for many years or come to terms with them.

It's gotta be tough but I can't see how they can give this concession to the studios.

[striatic]

I don't care about new releases, and certainly not waiting another month or two to watch them.

But I am also 100% sure that this won't inspire me to buy more DVDs, so it sounds like an incredibly dumb move on the part of the studios if they reduce prices.

Really, the status quo is better for them. It isn't the late nineties anymore. They need to find other ways to increase sales.

[nemov]

This move doesn't effect me at all because I never plan on purchasing a movie every again. Ten years from now the idea of purchasing a VHS/DVD/Blu-Ray is going to be one of those we'll have trouble explaining to future generation. Why own a physical copy if it will be available via stream at some point in the future?

[stesmo]

I won't be canceling my Netflix account over this, as the majority of what's shipped to my house is not a new release. The killer question is: Will Netflix be the only player in the rental biz who is delayed by a month?

If I can't get a highly anticipated new release from Netflix for a month after Redbox or a video store get it... Well, I may pay Netflix less by decreasing my Out Per Month level to accommodate renting a few New Releases from Redbox.

No matter if only Netflix or if all rental places agree to the 30-day delay, I won't buy a New Release because I can't wait the month.

[carter johnson]

I'm already waiting 30 days- their new title inventory is way too small to keep up with the demand.

[user23415]

This makes perfect sense in conjunction with the ability to pay a fee to watch these new releases via Watch Now during that timeframe, eg introducing a rental model to the Netflix business. Maybe even offer an "unlimited" subscriber option for Watch Now new releases.

[Ellen]

Yet another arbitrary rule that shuns technology and consumer benefit in the interest of trying to maintain control over an increasingly outdated business model.

[Crow550]

If Netflix becomes cheaper. Sure, go ahead. I won't mind. If they remain the same and force a 30 day wait limit on new releases....I might have to look elsewhere....

It's not like Netflix was losing money with there current pricing models.

a Month longer for a new release after waiting so long is a bitch. However I would never blind buy a movie I haven't seen. Now if I did see it on the big screen and I love it enough to own it. Sure I'll buy the dvd.

Well see how this pans out. They better drop there subscription prices if they make us wait 30 days for a new flick.

[Bob Terrell]

I'm all for it. I am a high end Netflix renter, have a big family, we rent 8 at a time and return quickly as we all watch different things so we are put on the "bad" list and NEVER get a new release. All new releases for us are on the "very long wait" designation for at least a month anyway, so the most this will mean for my family is cheaper Netflix.

[Kristy]

I so rarely watch new releases that I could not care less. If a movie comes out that I am desperate to see, I will see it at a theatre. If it's terrific, I might buy a copy. If I wasn't interested enough to watch it at a theatre and/or I didn't like it enough to buy it, I will wait. Especially if they're going to spend some of the savings to buy more streaming movies.

[mike]

If it takes a month longer to get a new release than it already does (and if I can get it at Blockbuster or Redbox during that month), I will be scaling back on my Netflix spending and spend it with one of those other two. Thank you, Netflix.

[Dave]

Who cares? I grab my new releases through bittorrent anyway. If I don't get a new release the FIRST Tuesday then it is usually 3 months or so before it becomes available. "The Mist" took well over 6 months.

The LAST thing we need is people suggesting and volunteering "I'll pay more for Netflix to delay new releases and create a new fee."

[Patrick]

Frankly, new releases from NetFlix are on the "long wait" tip anyway - so waiting within a 30 day window wouldn't be anything new.

As for the studios getting me to possibly buy more DVDs - I haven't bought a new DVD in years. I love NetFlix for just that reason.

Over the past 7 months I've watched 147 movies with rentals and streaming. There's no way I could afford even a fraction of those if I had to buy them.

That's the beauty of NetFlix. They have a business model that works in our digital world. Because, one day, even the little shiny disc will be just a memory.

[andyg8180]

doesnt matter to me... takes forever to get a new release anyways... dump the stu[id $1 blucharge

[fiver]

If a film is that important to me I will go to a theatre and watch it. With the recession came many theatres in our town that show movies that have not been released on video for a few bucks. Although I do not agree with the way Netflix uses a revolving door to handle customer service, it is still the best at what it does. They ship a lot of movies to a lot of people without many mistakes at a price that is affordable.

[BigWillTheChamp]

I say make it an option.
I have the 8 at a time plan. I would gladly take the 30 day option for $10-20 less on my subscription. If I want it bad enough, I'll go to Blockbuster with the money I saved.

[Prozac]

I enjoy new releases and like others here feel that this won't help dvd sales at all. Netflix has to be careful...this could backfire if they choose to do it. I will support it but wont hesitate to leave if some thing better comes along. There is alot of competition out there. I have enjoyed NF since 06. They will do what they want to and we will see if this is a good move or a an awful one.

[Gran]

There is alot of competition out there

You are right. Blockbuster and... uhm... uhm... oh yea Redbox. But redbox only carries new releases. They don't have the good stuff.

[mnxmfan]

Guys, this is a game of Chicken. First off, the studios are saying "rental should have to wait 30 days to help boost DVD sales", to which Netflix is saying "Fine, if you want me, and everyone else to wait 30 days, then it is going to cost you 50% of your revenue from us."

If this goes through on the Netflix side, then it's going to go through for all other rental channels as well. Then you have two choices. 1 is that you buy the movie retail (Redbox is doing this), and 2 is that you wait like everyone else.

I doubt the studios would go through with this, as it's a risky bet on their part. Would they be willing to bet on 50% of rental revenues that people won't wait 30 days to see a new release? If you saw it in the theatre, you'll either buy it when it comes out or you won't, depending on how you liked it in the theatre. If you didn't see it in the theatre, are you really going to spend $20 to buy the movie sight unseen?

On the other hand, I have seen a Netflix movie and later gone out and bought that movie because I liked it enough. I'm sure I'm not alone in the "try before you buy" group, especially in today's economy.

[Complication]

I predict the effects on Netflix will be an increase in New Release demand. Most people are too busy with their daily lives to worry about when a DVD is being released. They add it to their queue when they came across it on NF while browsing (score NF) or when they see it in store/advertising and decide to rent instead of buy. On the other end of the spectrum are those that add the movie when it is in the theatre and manage the queue and returns regularly to keep the newest releases flowing. If the first group sees a title in stores and/or advertising 30 days before it ships on NF then more of them will have gotten around to adding the title to their queue prior to NF release.

Unfortunately, it will be a win for Netflix if the people that constantly manage their queues to get the new releases decide to cancel the service. These people tend to be the least profitable because they are more likely to rip watch and return frequently driving up postage costs.

I'm not sure if this will have the effect the studios want. It further separates the original release advertising, buzz, and subsequent DVD advertising from those who might rent it. For a highly anticipated release this would not be a problem but for the vast remainder of movies it would be. Overall, the number of DVDs purchased by the rental channel may decline because the consumers can't tell the difference between the newest release rentals and the vast collection of already released titles. As in, blockbusters A to E see more total DVD sales but bottom end tiles N through Z see a decline.

[Steven]

Some people mentioned that new releases take 30 days due to "long waits" in the queue. Well, folks, I think it's likely that long waits will still occur -- even after the initial studio-enforced delay. So many will be looking at upwards of 45 to 60 days to see a new movie.

The studios won't be happy until EVERYONE in America is pulling movies from bittorrent. Screw 'em. This short-sighted BS is exactly what's killing the movie and music industry.

[Corey3rd]

Anyone who downloads movies from bittorrent sites aren't going to come back to the consumer market. What would be the point of them paying money to buy or rent a title? Once a thief, always a thief.

I hear way too many people claiming the music industry killed themselves by over pricing music. Yet when I ask them how much they'd pay for all the mp3s they've collected on TB HDs, the answer never comes. Because they don't want to pay. They don't want to pay a monthly subscription service. They just want to accumulate and feel like they're ripping off The Man for all the injustices of the decades. "You're making us thieves!" excuse is getting stale. It's one thing if you're downloading forgotten films that have never seen the light of day because of copyright/ownership issues. But if you're unwilling to spring $10 for a copy of Star Trek - you're just a thief. How cheap do things have to get for you to feel like you're getting a fair deal? How cheap? Cause in the end, you just want it free.

The thing is that Redbox is going to make a fast profit this holiday season because they're going to load up at a major store on all the hot titles going for $10 a pop - including next week's Star Trek.

And there's a nice chunk of the nation that's stuck in 56K modem land that won't be spending months to download a single movie.

[wizzack]

"short wait" "very long wait" & now "grab a snickers"

Smell that? It's called desperation.

[Loramir]

It won't bother me much since I usually don't bother with new releases anyway.

But it just seems to me like the studios are begging for piracy with this. A hot new movie comes out on DVD, you really want to see it right then, and your choices are to buy it (for $20-$25 new release prices) or...

Just seems like a really, really bad move. Are they trying to send to people to BitTorrent?

[wizzack]

btw- picked up "Up!" for $9.99 on blu-ray this week with a $10 off coupon. If new releases were always this cheap I'd be more inclined to pick them up.

A shame most of the new stuff out these days is shiet and I wouldn't pay $1 to own it.

[Tom]

The studios make the choice to delay the rental window by 30 days. Netflix is the one who has to deal with it, and is demanding a better price when they do get the opportunity to buy and rent out the discs. Netflix isn't the bad guy here. They're making the best of the situation by pointing out the inherent loss of value to their purchased discs with the studios' strategy. If the studios want to do this, that's their problem. Waiting 30 days for a rental will not encourage me to buy more. It only reduces and delays the studios' revenue stream.

On the flip side, Walmart and others are engaging in heavily discounting new releases. Long run that can't help the studios either. Sure, a short term uptick in first week sales, but over time, if this goes on, the universe of DVD retailers contracts, and the survivors gain leverage to demand better prices from the studios.

[Mark Bruso]

My Queue is primarily made of television series both old and new and documentaries. So waiting is not that big of a deal for me.

[david]

i don't mind. but if you canceled, where would you go? netflix didn't come up with this idea, its being imposed by the studios on the the services.

the only reason redbox is going out to buy retail copies is because their ENTIRE business model is new releases. and by paying retail prices every time, to have every movie ready to go, i don't see how they can make money on $1 a rental. even if they get a flood of business, there's no volume savings anymore.

overall with netflix, its not like you have to watch old movies, just watch new movies a few weeks later than the earliest possible time.

[Sock Puppet]

Doesnt make one bit of difference to me. If I had really wanted to see the movie I would have gone to the theater. You have to wait for it to come to DVD, so what's an extra 30 days? Its not going to make me purchase it, I only buy a movie that I know I will watch over and over again.

As far as those who say they will quit their membership with Netflix over this?

TOODLES! I wont miss you! Buh Bye!

The only thing that will achieve is getting the new releases to me faster (even after the extra 30 days)...

Because everyone who joined Netflix "only" (drips sarcasm) because they could get new movies on the day they release will have run off to redbox!

[byteme]

"...and by paying retail prices every time, to have every movie ready to go, i don't see how they can make money on $1 a rental."

This is why Redbox is test marketing a price increase for rentals to $1.50-$2. They are anticipating the need to pay full retail price for all of their DVDs in the future.

[tsrblke]

A lot of people seem to be saying "fine but give me a discount." I think that they're forgetting the value of a lack of price increases. If NF can score this deal and all of our prices stay the same (rather than going up.) Consumer's win. It's a coup that NF prices haven't gone up in the last few years, don't expect that to continue forever (do you know what inflation is?) without some give.

[rjm]

I tend to usually keep the new releases at or near the top of my Q.

However, like others, unless I get them on Monday, there is often a wait.

It would be unpleasant for a month but after the month, it would be just like before.

Theres ZERO chance I will buy a movie and theres zero chance I would pay more than $1.00, maybe $1.50 for a new release at Redbox.

Frankly, Redbox is just becoming too much of a pain for me to get an occasional extra rental. Theres usually a wait to both get and return movies. That, combined with the drive makes it not worth it to me.

If this keeps NF from raising prices, I would be ok with it after the month.

And heck, it might even be BETTER after the month if it means they can buy MORE new releases so I wouldnt experience the waits.

[David D]

So I'll just wait a bit longer to rent certain movies. This move will not make me any more likely to buy a DVD I have yet to watch.

That's the whole reason I rent DVDs. I don't blindly buy them and hope for the best. I certainly won't be doing that when everything switches to BluRay and they're asking 30 bucks a disc.

When I watch a movie I really love, I buy it. If I really hate a movie, I don't even finish it. When I rent the DVD, I don't feel so bad about wasting my money. When I've spend 20 to 30 dollars for a DVD or BluRay that is so awful I stopped watching after ten minutes, I'll end up rethinking the whole idea of buying discs in the first place.

I won't do Bittorrent, I'm not interested in pirating a crappy copy. I may start paying more for cable so I can watch HD movies on demand though. At least there's not a long wait window compared to other consumers on the same service.

[David D]

This may actually be a boon for the mom and pop corner DVD rental stores. The place nearest me can get the big, mainstream releases for the same price from Wal Mart as they do from their distributor. Low volume plus shipping costs pretty much equal things out for places on his scale.

There are a lot of Netflix and BBO people that stopped going to his store so much that may start going back if they can't rent new releases elsewhere.

On my end, I could go back there more often, or I may just wait on new releases. Either way isn't a major issue.

I wonder if all the studios will be doing this with the smaller scale art type movies they distribute as well. And I wonder if that will end up hurting them as DVD rentals are a sort of promotion. Some of these movies may never really make it into theaters in many markets, so wouldn't rentals be their biggest hope of generating sales since I'd assume people are less likely to buy a movie like "The Class" than say "GI Joe" sight unseen?

[Cinephile Stoned]

This would be a stupid move for the industry and I don't really see it happening. New Releases are an integral part of their service, how could they make people wait that long?

Also people saying that new releases "take about that time anyway" are kinda wrong. It seems to be almost random. I have had The Proposal #2 in my queue since it was released and it's still on "long wait". "Start Trek 2009" which releases on BD tomorrow is already being shipped to me. like what, really netflix?

It seems like it depends on luck and timing.

[Tester]

There are too many other things that I can do and too many other movies I can watch for this to be a problem for me. I do however understand how it can be a problem for some people.

That said, I want to add that I WILL NOT be blackmailed by the movie studios into purchasing their releases because of the 30 day wait. In fact I will seriously consider torrents for new releases if the 30 day wait goes into effect. Since the studios are saying "fuck you" to all of us I say "fuck you" right back at them.