Hacking NetFlix

What Would You Ask Reed Hastings?

It looks like I might have a brief bit of time with Netflix CEO Reed Hastings next week, so I'm looking for insightful questions to ask him. If you had the opportunity to ask him a question, what would it be?

PRWeek Interviews Hacking Netflix

PRWeek.com interviewed me several weeks ago, which was an honor since I have worked in public relations at several software companies. I wasn't going to link to it for a variety of reasons (modesty is one), but since the story is being reported incorrectly on another Web site, I thought it was appropriate to let you read it and form your own opinion.

Here's the story: PRWeek.com Q&A: Mike Kaltschnee; HackingNetflix.com

A few additional comments:

My goal is to be a "fair and balanced" source of information, and I will do my best to report the good and the bad about Netflix, Blockbuster, Amazon, etc.

I do have sources at Netflix. Any journalist will confirm a story if it's hot and agree in some cases hold it back, especially if you worry about getting sued due to the source of the story (Apple Sues Think Secret).

After I was ignore by the Netflix PR department, Netflix product management contacted me and we continue to have a dialog. I have yet to hear from Blockbuster, but I have made several attempts to contact their PR department. I still hope to establish a dialog with them.

I do not profit directly from the relationship with Netflix. I have affiliate ads for Netflix and Blockbuster, and I do not tell you which to try (a surprising number are trying out Blockbuster). I also have Google ads on the site.

I will continue to allow anyone to post on this site and refrain from deleting comments, but sometimes I wonder about this policy.

More information about this site: Hacking Netflix Disclosure Statement.

Thanks to Aron and Raven at A Netflix Odyssey for suggesting this post.

New Ads on Hacking Netflix

We just got our first real advertiser, and it's the Bill Murray movie "The Life Aquatic." Yes, you can add it to your queue now, even though it doesn't come out until Christmas.

Just to be fair, I made the Netflix and Blockbuster banners the same size. I have to be "fair and balanced," you know.

I also have a new banner up for AllPosters.com, a really cool place to get stuff to decorate your pad. Shop early and spend big so we can buy the Hacking Netflix staff some geek toys.

Getting a TiVo? Help HackingNetflix!

Are you buying a TiVo in anticipation of the TiVo/Netflix video-on-demand product next year? Help support HackingNetflix and put my e-mail (mikek@hackingnetflix.com) in the referral box when you activate your new TiVo. Being able to earn a few toys is part of the motivation for running this site. Thanks! - Mike

Video Business Interviews the Netflix Bloggers

Video Business Magazine (free registration required) just published a story about the Netflix bloggers, including Becky from the Netflix Fan blog (they also interviewed Hacking Netflix).

In the article Becky talks about why she started her Netflix blog:

"I wanted to know every detail on how they operated," Netflix Fan's Becky explained. "I was partly wanting to maximize my value. I found very little out there from the users point of view. And Netflix seemed very mysterious and kind of hidden from view. Nobody could drive up to a Netflix store."

An interesting bit from the story:

Jupiter Media technology analyst Eric Peterson said there are plenty of blogs devoted to brands, so it's not surprising Netflix has attracted a Web following because it's a brand with buzz.

"[Blogging] is just another way to share your passion about the things you buy or do," Peterson said.

It's great to see blogs getting so much attention from the mainstream press. We spend a lot of time and energy working on our blogs, and while it's something we enjoy, it's still nice to get some recognition.

The funniest part of the interview was when she asked why there weren't any Blockbuster blogs. :-)