Netflix set to launch streaming-only service — but just in Canada

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The "Watch Instantly" video-streaming service on Netflix has been so popular with users that execs have occasionally floated the idea of a streaming-only plan that wouldn't involve any DVDs by mail. Well, the streaming-only idea for Netflix is about to become a reality — in Canada.

The Hollywood Reporter says that Netflix CEO Reed Hastings will arrive in Canada on Wednesday to officially unveil the service, including (presumably) details on when it will launch and how much it'll cost.

Netflix announced back in July that it was finally branching out into foreign territories, starting with nearby Canada. The twist was that Netflix wouldn't offer its traditional menu of a handful of through-the-mail DVDs and Blu-rays combined with access to more than 20,000 streaming movies and TV shows; Canadian users would get only Netflix's streaming offerings.

Here in the U.S., there is no streaming-only subscription plan; instead, stateside users must pony up for a by-mail DVD subscription (starting at $8.99 for a single at-home DVD at a time) to get access to "Watch Instantly" streaming videos.

So, what's the deal with a streaming-only Netflix option here in the U.S.? Whenever I've mentioned the idea on this blog, I've gotten a flood of positive responses. And Netflix officials crowed during a company earnings call in July that 61 percent of its users had streamed at least 15 minutes of video in the second quarter of the year — suggesting that more and more Netflix users are getting into streaming.

The first time Netflix mentioned the idea of a streaming-only subscription plan was back in February 2009, when chief exec Hastings told Bloomberg that an a la carte "Watch Instantly" option could be available by 2010.

During an earnings call two months later, however, Hastings seemed to backpedal, telling investors (according to digital media blog Contentinople) that "streaming-only is something that we look at from time to time," but "it's not on the short list of things."

So, why did Netflix decide to go with a streaming-only plan for Canada? As Hastings said in October when first announcing that Netflix was heading into overseas markets (ReadWriteWeb noted), it's because of the "tricky" proposition of shipping DVDs through non-U.S. postal services.

Still, I would imagine that Netflix will be keeping a close eye on how its streaming-only service fares in Canada — not just in terms of offering it in other countries, but also to see whether such a service would take off here in the U.S.

Personally, I think it would be a hit, especially if it cost somewhere in the $5-a-month range. Indeed, given the tens of thousands of movies and TV shows available (with new content deals getting inked on a regular basis), a 5-buck-a-month streaming Netflix plan would instantly become one of the best home-video bargains in years.

I'm curious: What would you think of a streaming-only Netflix plan? Would you sign up, and how much would you be willing to pay?

• The Hollywood Reporter: Hacking Netflix)

— Ben Patterson is a technology writer for Yahoo! News.

link

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Dup thread, mods please merge!

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/275453-netflix-launches-streaming-video-service-in-canada/

[twowls 217]

The only reason I don't already have Netflix is that I can't have streaming only. I don't want DVDs and I feel like I'm getting ripped off if I get the regular package deal.

Makes zero sense to me that they wouldn't offer it. Zero. Cannot fathom how it could be anything but more money for them to provide options people want and will buy. They can still make certain movies unstreamable if they want to continue to be annoying. Everybody wins.

[Marilyn. 340]

The only reason I don't already have Netflix is that I can't have streaming only. I don't want DVDs and I feel like I'm getting ripped off if I get the regular package deal.

Makes zero sense to me that they wouldn't offer it. Zero. Cannot fathom how it could be anything but more money for them to provide options people want and will buy. They can still make certain movies unstreamable if they want to continue to be annoying. Everybody wins.

they do have a streaming only plan but it only includes access to Starz Play and the live Starz Play TV channel and is about $8 bucks a month... the one DVD at a time plan with unlimited streaming is about $9 a month

[Marilyn. 340]

oh and in the article I posted which is different then this article is states that the online streaming service in Canada it going to cost $7.99(Canadian) a month

oh and I am pretty sure it is launching today and Consumers will be able to stream video to compatible TVs or Internet-connected computers. Video game consoles such as Nintendo's Wii, Sony's PlayStation, and devices such as Apple's iPhone and iPad will all be able to stream from Netflix.

http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2010/09/22/netflix-canada.html#ixzz10HO2epCh

Edited September 22, 2010 by Marilyn.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Dup thread, mods please merge!

http://www.visajourn...vice-in-canada/

Sorry, Marilyn.

[Marilyn. 340]

Sorry, Marilyn.

its ok, my article isn't really the same article as yours anyways

[twowls 217]

they do have a streaming only plan but it only includes access to Starz Play and the live Starz Play TV channel and is about $8 bucks a month... the one DVD at a time plan with unlimited streaming is about $9 a month

Ah. Sad trombone.

[fozzie 41]

The movie availability is pretty poor in instant streaming on netflix. If you want all the latest movie releases then you won't get them with a streaming only service...unless they are doing some major deals with the studios to get the rights to stream.

If all movies were available through streaming then I would do it but as it stands it needs the supplement of Blu-ray discs/dvd's.

I watch lots of instant on netflix but its mainly old tv shows that ive not seen in years like the A-Team, old seasons of Law and Order among others. I am currently ploughing through the first five seasons of Lost.

[Marilyn. 340]

yeah it doesn't have new releases but it does have movies that have been released within the last year... and it also has some TV shows from the last year too...

it does actaully have a pretty good selection of TV and movies.. way more then it had when it first started...

[SuperDuper! 230]

The "Watch Instantly" video-streaming service on Netflix has been so popular with users that execs have occasionally floated the idea of a streaming-only plan that wouldn't involve any DVDs by mail. Well, the streaming-only idea for Netflix is about to become a reality — in Canada.

The Hollywood Reporter says that Netflix CEO Reed Hastings will arrive in Canada on Wednesday to officially unveil the service, including (presumably) details on when it will launch and how much it'll cost.

Netflix announced back in July that it was finally branching out into foreign territories, starting with nearby Canada. The twist was that Netflix wouldn't offer its traditional menu of a handful of through-the-mail DVDs and Blu-rays combined with access to more than 20,000 streaming movies and TV shows; Canadian users would get only Netflix's streaming offerings.

Here in the U.S., there is no streaming-only subscription plan; instead, stateside users must pony up for a by-mail DVD subscription (starting at $8.99 for a single at-home DVD at a time) to get access to "Watch Instantly" streaming videos.

So, what's the deal with a streaming-only Netflix option here in the U.S.? Whenever I've mentioned the idea on this blog, I've gotten a flood of positive responses. And Netflix officials crowed during a company earnings call in July that 61 percent of its users had streamed at least 15 minutes of video in the second quarter of the year — suggesting that more and more Netflix users are getting into streaming.

The first time Netflix mentioned the idea of a streaming-only subscription plan was back in February 2009, when chief exec Hastings told Bloomberg that an a la carte "Watch Instantly" option could be available by 2010.

During an earnings call two months later, however, Hastings seemed to backpedal, telling investors (according to digital media blog Contentinople) that "streaming-only is something that we look at from time to time," but "it's not on the short list of things."

So, why did Netflix decide to go with a streaming-only plan for Canada? As Hastings said in October when first announcing that Netflix was heading into overseas markets (ReadWriteWeb noted), it's because of the "tricky" proposition of shipping DVDs through non-U.S. postal services.

Still, I would imagine that Netflix will be keeping a close eye on how its streaming-only service fares in Canada — not just in terms of offering it in other countries, but also to see whether such a service would take off here in the U.S.

Personally, I think it would be a hit, especially if it cost somewhere in the $5-a-month range. Indeed, given the tens of thousands of movies and TV shows available (with new content deals getting inked on a regular basis), a 5-buck-a-month streaming Netflix plan would instantly become one of the best home-video bargains in years.

I'm curious: What would you think of a streaming-only Netflix plan? Would you sign up, and how much would you be willing to pay?

• The Hollywood Reporter: Hacking Netflix)

— Ben Patterson is a technology writer for Yahoo! News.

link

Life isn't easy being a 40K + poster!

[NotworkSte 19]

I've found it great for catching up on stuff I always wanted to, but never got around to when they were released.

Bigged it up to C and she logged in and tried to bring up Nightmare before Christmas and can't stream it. She was most unimpressed. I have been very happy with it, even with the limitations.

[Amby 490]

I like the streaming netflix for tv series so I don't have to wait for the next disc

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I like the streaming netflix for tv series so I don't have to wait for the next disc

We've been watching mostly Netflix movies on our Wii than any regular tv since we got the Wii disk a couple of weeks ago. There's so many shows, like Dexter that I've been eager to finally see.

[NotworkSte 19]

We've been watching mostly Netflix movies on our Wii than any regular tv since we got the Wii disk a couple of weeks ago. There's so many shows, like Dexter that I've been eager to finally see.

I've never seen Dexter, is it any good? Working my way through Family Guy right now, only recently came across it, I have been missing out.