Is the Netflix Blu-ray Surcharge Fair Based on Selection & Availability of Titles?

Jamie writes, "I have been a longtime netflix subscriber going on 3 years.  I decided to invest in a Blu Ray Player about a year ago, and then I decided to upgrade my Netflix membership to Blu-Ray before they increased the fee.  Today I switched to Blockbuster online. The facts of the matter is I pay roughly $4 more per month for Blu Ray access.  Blockbuster has more titles, especially catalog titles available on Blu Ray.  Blockbuster charges no extra fee for Blu Ray.  There is something wrong with this.  

The straw that made me decide to switch was Friday the 13th Part III 3D.  I am currently watching slasher films in release date order with my girlfriend.  Netflix has the first two parts of Friday the 13th on Blu Ray.

I looked about about Part III and realized Part III was released in its anaglyph 3D version on BD for the first time, so I bought 3D glasses from Amazon (knowing Netflix never includes extras like that with a rental, rendering their calibration DVDs useless).  This weekend was set to be the weekend, no wait on the BD, it was at the top of the queue, only be sent Friday the 13th part IV.  I double checked, and yes there no wait, oh well I figure, maybe I moved it and forgot and Netflix picked up Part IV at the top spot.  I send that movie back in immediately, as I want to watch Part III first.  They receive it this morning, and they send Part V.  What the hell!  So I call Netflix to find out what going on.  The representative tells me they don't actually have Part III on Blu-Ray.  The Netflix website lists it as though they do, though, even the drop box on the queue that says DVD, or Blu Ray.  He apologizes and immediately sends out a DVD copy, which although appreciated, is not what I want.

Like I said this was the last straw.  This is the last on a ever growing list of BD titles Netflix does not have.  Alien Anthology, Back to the Future all three parts, It's a Wonderful Life, Psycho (original), The Exorcist, Scream 1-3, Natural Born Killers, A Beautiful Mind, Metropolis, Austin Powers Trilogy, Pleasantville, Family Guy: Its a Trap!, Fantasia, Fantasia 2000.

Blockbuster Online has most of these.  Its becoming more and more clear that Netflix does not care about their optical media anymore.  There have been a few DVD's that Netflix lacks that have been an issue for me too.  Alien Anthology (except 3), Night of the Living Dead (90s version).  Netflix was built in part by the availability of catalog titles over Blockbuster stores, they have apparently forgotten this, in their attempt to provide streaming at the cost of everything else.

If there were no surcharge I would not complain.  However, paying more money for less service is unacceptable."

Are you a Netflix Blu-ray subscriber? How would you rate Blu-ray title selection and availability?

Comments

[Larry Dallas]

It's fair. Because it's a choice. One can search blurays before ever buying them.

[Socinus]

The Blu-ray surcharge makes sense and will continue to make sense in the current state of the industry. Netflix has to pay more for the acquisition of Blu-ray discs and it is logical that the cost be payed by those who utilize them. What the user is paying for is not a guarantee that the title they want will be in Blu-ray, but rather that should it be feasible for Netflix to purchase it in Blu-ray they shall.

A previous poster had mentioned that a number of new releases came out recently in Blu-ray but Netflix does not currently stock them in that format. A look at the list in comparison to Netflix's subscription base illustrates why- (far) less than half of Netflix users use Blu-ray, and of those titles not many would be widely sought by netflix subscribers. Since Netflix has to purchase a set minimum to cover all their shipping centers to prevent shipping delays,the cost for purchasing EVERY movie in Blu-ray far outstrips the benefit.

And here is where people who complain about the Netflix Blu-ray setup don't understand what they are saying. If they really received everything they wanted their subscription plan would go up more, or Netflix would have to go in to debt to pay for the expansion of useless inventory. That didn't work well for BB, who a peculiarly large number of posters here seem to advertise for.

Now this would all be moot had Blu-ray as a standard shifted the home movie industry as much as people expected, but it didn't. Blu-ray player sales flagged out the gate and didn't really start increasing until (astounding!) Netflix and other services started being offered on them. That is why the Blu-ray section of your store is tiny. So until Blu-ray is the accepted standard it makes logical sense to make users who want the option to get some titles in blu-ray bear the burden of funding that privilege.

[Alex Delarge]

This is a major problem and the reason I cut back on my account. I used to be a top reviewer before the community function evaporated and watch mostly classic and foreign films. I desire high-definition projected on my ten foot screen. The poster who says "older movies don't benefit" is truly uneducated.

Why do we pay for 1080p/24fps and only get 480p on our new HD sets/projectors? This doesn't bother anyone? Netflix's streaming is only 480p with no lossless audio and mostly in the wrong OAR. The streaming is focused upon the lowest common denominator, the viewer who doesn't know or care...and that's a shame. There are many intelligent viewers who desire the recent Criterion or catalogue title on BD because it's like cinematic archeology, discovering history all over again.

[netflix bluray service sucks royally!]

I am so pissed that they have let their bluray new listings and availability turn to crap.
As soon as I can acess Blockbuster blurays I am dropping all Netflix discs. I am already down to 1 disk at a time from 3.

And as soon as another decent streamer becomes available I am dropping streaming... out of spite.

Piss on Netflix.

[Hank]

There are many intelligent viewers who desire the recent Criterion or catalogue title on BD because it's like cinematic archeology, discovering history all over again.

Perhaps, but they don't seem willing to pay a reasonable price for it.

[Alex Delarge]

I WANT to pay! It's cheaper than buying discs so I'd pay an even higher premium for deeper catalogue on BD.

[Hank]

Alex, why don't you use Greencine for those discs?

If there were truly a significant number of people like you then Greencine would be more successful (or there would be an even better option).

[frank22]

Alex, many people complained about the extra $2. That makes it hard for Netflix to try to balance out cost/value. Most people wanted BR for free (qualifier: the higher quality product for no extra cost).

I do think those complaining here about the current situation have a point. Netflix does not appear to be giving good value, but I think they are kind of screwed either way on this.

I think Netflix is hurting their rep, they should provide good BR service and raise the price enough to make it worthwhile. Given the history though there would be tons of backlash on that too.

[Mark12547]

I'm also disappointed with the blu-ray selection, especially when it comes to TV shows that were available in blu-ray a couple years ago but newer seasons are DVD-only.

On the other hand, there has been some good classic stuff appearing in streaming, such as Mission: Impossible (tv series) and MacGyver. But why do I have to resert to third-party sites to see when titles are coming off of streaming?

[Osama Hastings]

Netflix service, quality and selection are going straight in the crapper!!

[Gir]

Netflix should do blu-ray differently. It should operate as a completely separate account, and should be priced accordingly (30-50% above DVD per-slot price). DVD and BD queues should be separate and there should be no option for shipping a DVD instead of a BD - once you return a BD, NetFlix ships the next available one from the BD queue.

[miker]

I got tired of the extra $4 and decided to go back to DVD for a while.

[scJohn]

In The BB bankruptcy there were some interesting filings from the studios who said that BB stooped paying them for physical media. In one of those filing the studio broke out between DVD and blue-ray.

"Specifically, Summit last November shipped Blockbuster 426,180 DVDs (excluding widescreen) of Eclipse for unit prices ranging from $6 to $20.20 each, in addition to 92,290 copies of the film on Blu-ray Disc (excluding widescreen) for unit prices from $6 to $23.99 each."

"Separately, Summit last month shipped Blockbuster 294,990 DVD copies (including special editions) of Red at prices of from $6 to $18 each, and 66,480 Blu-ray copies of Red at prices of from $6 to $23.99 each."

One has to assume that NF can buy just as cheap if not cheaper than BB did. After all one of the so called perks for the 28-day embargo was that NF would get a bigger discount for waiting.

Given the above, it's hard to justify NF's current surcharge for blue-ray. Personally, I think NF would like to drop blue-ray.

Not sure what will will happen with BB by mail now that Dish is taking over. Looks like they (Dish) is interested in keeping the by mail service going.

When I upgrade to blue-ray latter this year, I will certainly try BB by mail. If that service is still in existence at the time.

[Hank]

Gir, your plan for BD is crazy. Only a small percentage of users could understand it and fewer would want it. For those who do, they can just open two accounts.

scJohn, I don't know how you can use that data to suggest that BD have roughly the same cost as DVD. You don't know the average cost/disc and you don't know the breakage rates. Netflix doesn't have to "justify" the blu-ray charge - if people aren't willing to pay it they won't.

[Dahc]

For those of you complaining that there arn't enough Blue Ray, why are there no complaints about no Beat Max?

Seriously though, Blueray will be remembered as a blip between DVDs and HD streaming/downloading. It is not worth Netflix's time or money to make all of these Blue Rays available. Instead we should be wondering why Netflix wastes money on it at all when they should be focusing even more on streaming, HD streaming in particular.

[Chris M.]

Really the list of older movies that have been released on Blu-Ray but not aquired by Netflix is to long for me to want to list. The only movie I've seen added thus far is The Goonies and it still says date available unknown. The only unknown is when it's going to be picked up by Netflix as it's been available on Blu-Ray for months now. They've gone beyond not getting it when it comes out to making us wait for months and months after it's been released.

[twinches5624]

Based on cost alone, I'm currently being charge by Netflix with the Blu-Ray surcharge at total of $11.99 plus tax for the 1 out plan. BB's 1 out plan is $11.99 and has no surcharge for Blu-Rays. So it is the same price. Now lets compare what you get for that 11.99. Netflix - access to streaming movies, large back catalog, super fast turnaround (1day) for me. Blockbuster - Game rentals, better Blu-Ray selection, they claim to get some movies 28 days before netflix and redbox. If it wasnt' for the streaming, I think I would go with BB.

[Mike]

The availability of Blu-ray lately sucked so I cancelled Blu-ray, I was thinking of re-subscribing to Blockbuster but from reports it sounds like they are having problems with their by-mail service as well.

Most of the new releases I have rented lately are crap(Due Date, Machete, etc) so it's no big loss wathing them in SD.

[Scott]

I guess I don't understand where this lack of Blu-Ray availability is coming from? Maybe you mean TV shows? (and if the tv show is from a premium channel like Showtime or HBO, its always blu-ray too) If you're watching mostly newer (ie, last 5-10 years), almost everything is available in Blu-Ray. I have about 70 items in my queue right now, and about 55 of them are Blu-Ray. The only 15 or so that aren't are either old movies or tv shows. I'm happy with their selection of blu-rays and rarely have a problem. I just wish I bought their stock when I signed up for them in 2005 when it was $30/share!

[Jacob Neff]

To those who refuse to believe that Netflix is indeed missing an ever-increasing wealth of titles on Blu-Ray, I point you to http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1319003, which lists many Blu-Rays BB carries that Netflix doesn't.

Also, copied from another post on this site is the below smaller list of Blu-Ray titles missing from Netflix. There are many more, especially TV shows on Blu-Ray, but these were easily found with a quick Google search.

A.I. Artificial Intelligence
All About Eve
Bad Lieutenant
A Beautiful Mind
The Bridge on the River Kwai
Broadcast News
The Color Purple
Crumb
Deadwood
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Exit Through the Gift Shop
The Exorcist
It's a Wonderful Life
Lost in Translation
Once Upon a Time in America
Paths of Glory
Psycho
The Red Shoes
Rain Man
The Sound of Music
South of the Border
Sweet Smell of Success
Taxi Driver
Thelma & Louise
Topsy-Turvy
Tromeo & Juliet
Back To The Future Trilogy
Alien Anthology
The Goonies
Mortal Kombat
Tremors
Uncle Buck
Fiddler On The Roof
Road House
The Ten Commandments
Arthur
King Kong (Fay Wray version)
All The Presidents Men

[kk]

I never had problem with their BR selection. But i know its limited, esp the new movies. I wish they improve their BR stock. But hey, we pay roughly 1/4th of what a BB account used to cost. It was about $35 for unlimited out - BR, DVD, Games with BB. Netflix is $10/$11 for one disc out with BR.

I think we are complaining too much for what we pay.

[Jacob Neff]

I would be more than happy to pay more if it meant I could get every single Blu-Ray release.

Newer members may not realize that one of the biggest benefits of Netflix used to be its extensive collection of discs, albeit with the caveat that they didn't often provide re-releases (other than Blu-Ray). If a movie had been released on disc, no matter how obscure, chances are you could find it on Netflix.

Much to our disappointment, Netflix no longer seems to care about having the most extensive library. Now all they seem to care about is whatever titles they can most cheaply stream.

[Hank]

Jacob, nobody is disputing that Netflix does not carry many titles on Blu-Ray.

What I would dispute is your characterization of the issue and that there are a significant number of people who really care. Are you seriously chomping at the bit to see Uncle Buck and The Color Purple on blu-ray? I doubt it.

The vast majority of Netflix' customers are not rewatching older movies just because they came out on BD (and if they are rewatching most would probably prefer it be streaming). There are missing titles, but they are dwarfed by the number of available titles. Netflix HAS bought BD copies of many older movies that I have not seen (my queue has roughly 100 such) and I'm more than happy watching those first.

The list you present is trivial compared to what Netflix does carry. It is just human nature for people want what they can't have and a few missing titles does seem to bother them to an unreasonable degree (although if those titles were available it would be unlikely that they would ever get around to watching them).

There is no conspiracy or hidden agenda here. If there were 10,000 subscribers who would put the Uncle Buck blu-ray at the top of their queues then Netflix would provide them (but there aren't).

[Hank]

I too remember the days when Netflix would add 50 or more titles on DVD each week, now it's closer to 20. But I also remember that the vast majority of that large number of titles was crap (IMO) - bad children's TV, exercise or health videos, re-releases of older titles, etc.

While the new selection is smaller it has everything I care to see and I'd wager that's true for the vast majority of Netflix users (although our individual preferences will vary).

Can you list more than a handful of titles that you desperately wanted from Netflix in the last few months, but that were unavailable?

[Brian]

I actually don't understand why so many people are happy streaming 420p crappy content on their 50" 1080p HDTVs. The reason I got an HDTV was to watch movies in HIGH DEFINITION. I joined Netflix solely wanting to rent blu-rays. Their selection is horrible, and every month I'm reminded of that "blu-ray surcharge" for pretty awful selection.

But honestly, the reason they focus on crappy online streaming is because it's PROFITABLE. No physical media, no mail, no hassle. And until more people complain about the picture/audio quality (unfortunately not enough people), we're at their mercy for HD selection. And the streaming movies labeled as "HD" are actually only DVD quality. The ones that aren't in HD are in horrible, youtube type quality.

[Racket]

My DVD player broke.
I will buy a new one.
Bluray players are < $100 at Walmart.
They play DVDs and Bluray discs.
I will buy a Bluray player instead.
I will not pay extra for bluray service.
I will watch DVDs on my bluray player.
Someday most people will be like me.
Netflix will then purchase more blurays.
Netflix bluray and DVD will be one fee.
I will then watch them.

I like streaming, it works, lots of content my family and I can watch, picture quality is fine for me, it is very reasonably priced.

[Joe]

I switched from BB when they really started dying somewhere around a year ago. Their turn arounds got worse - and they started waiting to receive a disc before sending a replacement if the original was scratched or unusable. (Meaning I could send a disc back and very well be sent the same one in return)

At first I loved NF because one day turn around, consistently - was just awesome. Their supply chain optimization is just amazing.

When I upgraded to BR shortly thereafter I started noticing the frustrating thing where some major titles were NOT available on BR. An example today would be the Alien Anthology. I mean really Netflix? You're charging me $4/month extra and only really giving me recent BR releases? I do not mind the money - heck I'd pay more if they actually carried a much more comprehensive collection.

They don't even have the Naked Gun on standard DVD anymore. Disgusting.

As soon as I go through the current BR's on my queue, I'll either change back to BB, or just remove BR.

Streaming is cool - but I rarely use it currently. I mean why would I have a BR player to put up with low quality (by comparison) streaming?

[Hank]

Really Joe? Because Netflix doesn't carry the Alien Anthology on BD you characterize them as only providing recent BD releases and you're willing to close your account over it? Maybe you're such a huge Alien fan that this makes sense to you, but if so I'd think you'd just shell out the $70 and buy the box set yourself - because it just doesn't add up.

Netflix has indeed bought thousands of older titles on BD (would you like me to start a list and compare it to the titles you have on your list of missing BDs?).

Further, the Alien Anthology is only available as a box set, which means that if Netflix wanted to ensure an adequate supply of Alien and Aliens that they would have to eat the cost of Alien 3 (certainly negating any benefit from a box set discount).

Also consider that the Alien box set has several encoding issues that make it unplayable on many BD players which do not have recent firmware updates. Possibly not a problem in itself that would prevent Netflix from getting the title, but it certainly seems to make sense to wait for the new ones.

It is quite possible (likely, IMO) that the distributor would not even sell Netflix the Anthology in bulk and not provide a discounted rental version in advance of this months individual releases of Alien{,s} on BD. If you added those titles to your queue you would see that there is an option to add them for BD (unlike Alien 3), which at the very least means that Netflix is gauging whether there is interest and at most means they'll buy up a batch to meet your unreasonable demand.

Did you also not notice that The Naked Gun DVD is pretty much out of print and unavailable in large quantities? Netflix isn't going to pay inflated prices for a title that very few want to see (they know demand far better than you do), especially when it's so easy for most users just to see it streaming.

By all means switch services if you like. But my expectation is that you'll come back the first time you encounter any minor perceived slight from BB (or whoever).

[Chris M.]

Hank I was actually "chomping at the bit" to see The Color Purple. It made me sad it was available to watch in HD on PBS and it hasn't even made it to Netflix. Maybe you don't care about older movies in HD but that doesn't mean everybody feels that way. In recent months there have been more older movies recently released that I have eanted to see than new movies being released at the same time. My extra fee is being wasted and I've thought about canceling the option as Netflix isn't interested in supplying the movies I want to see on Blu-Ray.

[Hank]

Chris, you're totally misunderstanding my point. So you want to see "The Color Purple" -- fine. Do you also want to see "Uncle Buck", "Broadcast News" and "Mortal Kombat" right this minute? I doubt it.

Can you provide me the list of missing BD titles that you would actually put at the very top of your queue? What is special about those titles (other than that they are missing and it makes you want them that much more). Are they better than the hundreds (thousands) of other older BD titles that are available?

I do want to see older titles on BD, but mostly those are movies that I never got around to seeing before and now I'd rather watch them in the highest quality available. Titles that I've already seen on DVD (or laserdisc or celluloid) are far down the list.

Part of the reason that The Color Purple is not available on BD is perhaps because it is a very expensive disc. Netflix would rather get more out of its money and buy other discs that possibly make more customers happy. (This doesn't explain the current absence of Uncle Buck - perhaps just weak demand or anticipation of a streaming deal.)

[Michel John]

Hank:

1. The Alien movies are getting individual releases this week. Let's see if Netflix buys any.

2. Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, David Lean, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg. And yet you ask, "What's so special about those titles?" Do you like movies?

[Hank]

1. If you had read my posts, you'd actually see that I pointed that out as a reason why Netflix has not bought the discs already.

2. Which one of those guys directed "Mortal Kombat"? Netflix does carry the vast majority of the other films on BD from those directors (where they're available), not to mention thousands of other discs on BD which are equally good or better than many on the list.

So once again, I'll pose the question that you've also ducked. Which of those discs would you put at the very top of your queue right now and why would you put them above the many others you could be watching? Have you really seen the hundreds of other titles from great directors that are available on BD or, as I suspect, does it just irk you that something is out there that you can't have right this minute (even though you don't really want it)?

I must not be as much of a cinephile as you (or Michael Bolton, for that matter), because I have not made the time to go back and rewatch every good movie that has come out on BD.

[Michel John]

1. My bad, you did mention it. The point stands, though.

2. I'm not disputing whether they carry the titles they bought before they stopped buying them. Of course they do.

3. I've never seen AI, Broadcast News, Kes, and Sweet Smell of Success. I want to watch Paths of Glory and The Red Shoes again. Barry Lyndon gets released this month. You get the idea.

4. A major benefit of Netflix was selection. You could follow the cinematic thread of your choosing. If you watch Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, you might follow it up with It's a Wonderful Life. Goodfellas might lead you to Casino. Schindler's List to Saving Private Ryan.

(Though I think part of the problem is that you don't value watching something you've seen before on a better format.)

[Hank]

1. What point is that, though? I think they will buy the first two Aliens soon since they're allowing you to "save" them, but if they don't it invalidates some of the reasons I pointed out for them not carrying those titles. They don't always buy discs that they allow you to save, but it does give them a better indicator of the demand.

2. Are you saying that they've totally stopped buying BDs except for new movies? I don't think that's the case, although they certainly are buying fewer discs (of all kinds) when streaming is available (or in anticipation of streaming rights).

3. But have you seen every other good movie that has been released on BD? If you look at the complete list of titles available the relatively few that they don't have will not entice you so.

4. I think you're glorifying the good old days. Netflix has always had holes in its catalog, especially on special releases (read expensive) discs. They're managing a limited amount of cash that they're willing to spend on discs so they sometimes have to make choices that you might not agree with (for the greater good). It's reasonable to believe that many such older discs are much more expensive since the quantities bought are lower and the studios might not make rental copies available.

You're right that I don't value watching something again just because it's on a better format and I think the number of Netflix customers who would do that is miniscule. Many, including me, will watch their favorite movies again when they come out on a new format, but mostly because those movies are worth rewatching even without the new format.

[Michel John]

1. I just meant we'll see if they buy them.

2. The last catalogue title I'm aware of is Apocalypse Now, released October 19 of last year.

3. No, I haven't seen them all, of course. Though can I know if they're good without watching them? But then you sound like you think one movie is as good as the next. If in the 90s I go to Blockbuster looking for The Godfather but they don't carry it, should I just be content with the new releases? Or if they do but now I want to watch The Conversation, should I say, "I don't need to see it, I've already seen the Godfather." As if they're interchangeable? If I ask for 8 1/2 but they only have 9 1/2 weeks do I forget about 8 1/2?

4. Sure, they didn't (and still don't) carry Criterion DVDs when a cheaper version is available.

5. Of course not just because. If I've only seen something on VHS and now it get's a Blu-ray release might it inspire me to watch it again? Might a restored HD transfer have something to offer new over the panned and scanned VHS? And let's not forget time. The movies I liked, I may no longer like. The movies I didn't like, I may now like.

Unless you work for Netflix or hold stock I don't understand why you write some of what you do. Speculating on their decision making process is fine but you do it defensively as if it could change facts. Or as if those facts don't matter. Or those facts create values automatically. Is Netflix making decisions "for the greater good." Is the greater good, good?

[Hank]

2. I don't know what you consider catalogue titles, but this week alone they're releasing: "The Manchurian Candidate," "Dead Man Walking," " Hotel Rwanda," and "Leaving Las Vegas" on BD.

3. No, I haven't seen them all, of course. Though can I know if they're good without watching them?

The same way you know "The Godfather" or "Psycho" is good, I guess. I am not suggesting you watch good movies you haven't seen over good movies you have seen. I'm suggesting that you watch the many other good movies on BD that you've seen (on DVD) rather than focus on the handful you can't get.

But then you sound like you think one movie is as good as the next.

That's a ridiculous assumption. I am stating that many movies are of around the same quality, however. If you think "The Godfather" is by far the most superior movie of all time that is one thing. But to be so put out because "Mortal Kombat" is unavailable and that is absolutely the only movie that you would consider seeing right now (er, I mean it two days when it arrives) - that is absurd.

If in the 90s I go to Blockbuster looking for The Godfather but they don't carry it, should I just be content with the new releases?

Of course not, you're again taking the discussion to a ridiculous extreme. If you go in looking for "Psycho" and they only have "North by Northwest" and "The Manchurian Candidate", why not watch those equally good (IMO) films instead? But no, you're going to irrationally focus on the thing you can't have. Not unlike a restaurant patron who is informed by his server that special is no longer available - suddenly that is the one thing you really, really wanted.

5. So why not be happy with the many good (and great) titles they do have rather than focusing on the few they don't? I think you guys look at the list of unavailable titles and it stokes an irrational desire in you - movies that you probably aren't even going to watch on BD soon, it just irks your delicate sensibilities that Netflix doesn't have "Psycho" on BD, but they do have Justin Bieber movie.

I am not defensive, but I do try to explain how Netflix decisions are usually perfectly rational from a business oriented point of view. Part of that is explaining to people like yourself how their narrow views and personal desires are not necessarily good business for Netflix and not good for the vast majority of their customers.

I would love it, personally, if Netflix had every possible old title on BD, bought all the Criterion and other special editions, and abolished crippled rental discs. However, I understand why they don't and I'm apparently ineffectively trying to explain that to others (in part by explaining how their facts are skewed and their desires, although real, are irrational).

[Hank]

Is Netflix making decisions "for the greater good." Is the greater good, good?

Netflix is making decisions to increases their long term profitability, as they should. Part of that is making decisions using their limited capital to make more paying customers happy, which can be considered "the greater good." If that means 20,000 copies of Bieber, but none of Psycho then that's just how it is.

It is not their job to pander to cinephiles, promote good cinema or whatever other lofty aspirations you might have for them.

[Michel John]

2. Yes, this was brought to my attention too earlier today on AVS Forum. They don't have them yet, though. But do you know of anything released since last year? By "catalogue titles," I mean anything more than a couple years old. But they don't have new releases like Exit to the Gift Shop either.

Dead Man Walking, etc. were Best Buy exclusives. So I'm not sure if they signal a change or not. None the less, good news.

3. As far as ridiculous extremes go: why do you keep talking about Mortal Kombat? One man's trash, I guess.

4. Personally I dislike North by Northwest. But that's another discussion.

5. Your explanation of irrationality is inadequate. But then my views are "narrow." And what are my views?

There are more movies in existence than anyone could ever watch. This is a truism. Even at a standard Blockbuster store someone would have enormous difficulty watching everything. This says absolutely nothing other than you have a limited number of choices before you die.

6. I've not argued against what's good or not good for Netflix. You're attacking me with straw. "It's not their job." It's not their job not to. Though you may argue specific circumstances require...but I'm not arguing that.

[Michel John]

You seem to be arguing a pseudo-eastern/christian life philosophy. "Be happy with what you have. Don't think (or even talk) about what you don't." And attributing to me some obsessive "focus." Then demonizing anyone as "irrational" anyone who doesn't share your contentment. All the while being a apologist for the "rationality" of business decisions. You even go so far as to posit some utilitarian moral foundation to such decisions.

But you're a fanboy or worse.

[Hank]

2. How many examples do you want me to provide for you? I've shown your statement to be factually incorrect, Netflix is still buying BDs for catalogue titles. Are they buying exactly as many as they were before? That would be hard for anyone to demonstrate, but that's not the point you were making.

"Exit through the Gift Shop" is a $40 disc. Netflix has typically not ever bought such overpriced discs.

3. I use Mortal Kombat because it is on the list that you guys are using to demonstrate Netflix lack of BD support. If you don't want that used as a counterpoint then just make a list of universally agreed upon good or great movies.

4. Personally, I liked NxNW much better than Psycho (at least for rewatchability. The point is that there are equally good alternatives.

5. It is irrational to want something just because you can't have it, especially when there are equally good (or better) alternatives. Maybe that's just my opinion.

Your view (as cobbled together from your posts and the posts that you seem to be defending) is primarily that Netflix has some obligation (by contract or by precedent) to provide you with every BD disc that you might desire. I can elaborate, if you like. You would make it easier if you would just briefly, but explicitly state your views rather than have me try to puzzle them out.

Netflix also knows there are more choices than you can possibly watch which is why they don't break the bank buying discs that are overpriced (or are generally unpopular) when there are so many alternatives. They're banking that the vast majority of customers will find enough value in the other titles (even if they bitch a little) that they won't leave - I agree with them.

6. You asked me to explain what I meant by greater good and I did. I am trying to rationalize your views the only way I can that might even possibly make sense to somebody. If you want to clarify what you mean, then feel free to.

7. You're totally wrong on my philosophy. Allow me to be more explicit:

I don't want you to be happy with what you have, but I do want you to understand what you have. Then you can make a conscious and rational decision on whether to be happy with it or not. By all means feel free to question or criticize, but spare me the sense of entitlement and whining that comes along with it.

There are many rational reasons for individuals to not be happy with Netflix. There may even be a handful for whom this particular issue might be the critical issue that makes Netflix not work for them (although they are not represented here, so far). What is irrational is scrounging together a list of unavailable discs just so you can get upset about them and then going off on petty little rants about how things have fallen to shit and Netflix has not-so-hidden agendas, ....

Are you anti-business in general or just anti-Netflix? I am a "fan" of good businesses, but not a fan of crappy business or crappy business decisions. Netflix has had an amazing success rate on their business decisions, even the unpopular ones, and I have tried to explain (again, usually unsuccessfully) to people like yourself why those decisions make sense for Netflix. They (and I) have been proven to be correct time and time again.

They've not always been successful, of course, just astoundingly successful, and most of their poor decisions might have been the right ones at the time (e.g. their unsuccessful social attempts at social networking).