Hacking Netflix Disclosure Statement - Updated November 2010

With all the fuss about blogging, I figured it was time I disclosed any conflicts I had and explain what I'm trying to do with HackingNetflix.com.

First, to answer a frequent question: I do not work for Netflix.

I started this site as an experiment in company and community relations, and it's grown a bit bigger than I expected. I've been watching Netflix grow and wanted to learn more about the company, sharing what I found. Since I'm a "hack" writer and computer geek, HackingNetflix.com was the perfect name. It may have started as a "fan" site, but I've tried to make it more professional and even (shudder) "fair and balanced." I personally still lean towards Netflix a bit, but I think I'm like most journalists who have to set aside their feelings and be objective in his or her writing.

Disclosure: I have received some free clothing from Netflix in 2004, but I have a lot more free stuff from Microsoft and I'm still writing this on a Macbook (please don't think I can be bought that easily). I do wear a Netflix t-shirt or hat from time to time, but if someone from Blockbuster or Hulu sent over some goodies, I'd wear them too, just to be fair. I almost forgot to mention the free Reed Hastings bobblehead that was sent after I posted this.

Since I've been accused of being a "shill" for Netflix, I'd like to make the following disclosures:

I do not own stock in Netflix, Hulu, Blockbuster or any other company I write about (unless it's in my retirement account without my knowledge or control).

I pay the retail price for my Netflix, Hulu Plus and Blockbuster subscriptions.

I am not an employee or consultant to Netflix, Blockbuster, or any other company I write about. 

I work in business development for a software company during the day, and this site is done on my own time.

I have ongoing discussions with representatives from Netflix, as most journalists do, and I'm hoping to develop the same level of communication with Netflix competitors over time.

I receive affiliate revenue from Netflix, Amazon, and other companies. Links on HackingNetflix might generate a few bucks, but I'm not getting rich doing this.

I will try to be fair and report on the industry without prejudice. Like most bloggers I write about things I find interesting, but I welcome suggestions, corrections and criticism.

I will not delete comments unless they are comment SPAM, pornographic in nature, hateful, etc. I really hate to delete comments, so keep it civil.

If I am wrong, I will post a correction, or even an apology if warranted.

I will try very hard to respond to every e-mail. Feel free to contact me at hackingnetflix.com [at] gmail.com.

I hope this clears the air a bit. I really enjoy working on this site and appreciate the small but active community that has decided to hang out here.

Thanks,

- Mike

Thanks to Jason Calacanis for making me ponder this a topic a bit.

Comments

[Joe]

Mike:

You are a gentleman and a scholar. Bravo!

unrelated: looks like there is a missing closing italics tag on your site from the poster's name.

[Aron]

I recall Calacanis punished Fark (in words) for their editorial/advertising policies. He is quite the absolutist. Frankly, I find that disbelieving everything I read is a good starting policy. ;)

That is - until I've gained a time-tested confidence in the author. Congrats Mike you make my trust list (with a slight dip during the gameznflix affiliate period - lol).

I vote for Netflix raising the bar on collaboration with this site. That goes for you Mr/Mrs. Netflix employee reading this.. the vote is 1 - 0 thus far.

[Usman]

I love your blog! Keep up the good work.

[Chris]

Something that really helps out this site is that whenever I search for anything regarding netflix or blockbuster on Google. Hackingnetflix usually comes up first no matter what the specific search is on. That's how I found it.

[SpongeBob]

No flies on you bud.

[CashForFlow]

It should be obvious - thank you for Hacking Netflix.

You should make this a link to the left or something, so new viewers can read it otherwise in a few days it's "gone" for good.

[Mike]

I'm adding a link to this post from the disclosure statement tonight. I wrote this post so anyone coming here for the first time will know what this site is about.

Thanks for the kind words, btw. - Mike

[DAN]

NETFLIX DOESNT MAKE ITS PHONE NUMBER EASY TO FIND, SIMILARLY TO AMAZON, WHT KIND OF CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THAT? ALSO, NO REAL CONTACT US AVAILABLE, AFTER MANY MINUTES OF SEARCHING THE SITE. NO, ITS NOT ME, ITS THEM.

[Umar mukhtar]

Please i want you to explaing explain the full meaning of harcking.THANKS

[Evan]

"Harcking"

"No entry found for harcking. "

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=harcking

:-)

[FRANK JOHNSON]

Good service

[niki]

What is the main work that can make me to find mony on net.i am talking about "hacking" somebody told me that with we can hacking for.i want to hear it from you.thanks

[Charles]

About phone numbers. Here's my theory why they don't give out their phone number easily.

Can you imagine the call volume they'd get if their number was on the website, people asking general questions about movies? (What's such-and-such movie about? Is it any good?) You'd never get through if you needed to reach them with something important. LOL

[E. Craig Crawford]

I Googled Netflix phone numbers, and here I am! I tried the 800 number, and viola!, Customer Service. Sorry, there's no GOOD excuse for not placing your customer service numbers on your website. Call overload? Supersize the service, that simple.

Netflix auto answer interface is better than many, imo. And the customer service rep. seemed to be truly interested in my complaint, claimed she'd forward it, and even mailed the next movie in my queue ahead of time since I had been inconvenienced. Regarding their website, I think it very well done, and simple to navigate. I just signed up so I suppose I have all the enthusiasm of the latest convert. :-)

[JJVike]

Hello -

I always send in my (3) DVD's so they arrive at the local DC on Monday. When I first started this, I always received the top 3 movies in my queue which were all new releases for that week (Tuesday). They would ship out Monday and I'd have them Tuesday, their official release date. Lately, using the same shipping pattern, I am being bypassed on the new releases and Netflix is sending me items further down on my queue. It's pretty random as the new releases I am bypassed on are huge hits which you'd think they would have plenty of stock (War of the Worlds as an example). Can anyone explain why this is suddenly happening. Do Netflix monitor who gets the new releases and try to spread the wealth, so to speak? Thanks

[Pat in Phoenix]

Hi! I like your site and I like Netflix.

[roylynn]

five of the last movies I have sent back did not show up until 6 days later..could have seen six more by that time

[Mike 2]

I'm doing a report on Netflix for my media and print culture class, and i am doing an MLA citation. But to cite it in the essay, I need a last name for the author of this blog. For now I'll just put Briki, since i think it's your last name Mike. Thank you by the way.

[kamagra online]

sympathetic character, really makes me laugh lots with their sympathetic friends this fable is great with his follies and his witty, excellent blog.