What Netflix CEO hopes U.S. won't notice. 'Self-absorbed' Americans.....

The Hollywood Reporter ^ | 09/23/2010 | Etan Vlessing

[Beave Meister]

Netflix is now in Canada, offering local subscribers an online movie and TV streaming service for $7.99 a month. The move marks the first international foray for the California-based online streaming/DVD-by-mail giant. Etan Vlessing caught up with Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings in Toronto as he reaches beyond his 15 million American subscribers to start rolling out his online subscription service around the world.

[TomGuy]

I’ve only gotten one cracked disk from Netflix, and they immediately sent a replacement. The disk was probably cracked in the processing equipment.

I’ve received a couple that wouldn’t play. I found a quick solution. I dab a small drop of hand sanitizer on the disk, spread it around, then rinse and wipe dry with a towel. That seemed to clean the disks and make them playable.

[Yet_Again]

THR: Are you concerned that American Netflix subscribers will look north and ask for the same discount Canadians get at $7.99?

Hastings [Netflix CEO]: How much has it been your experience that Americans follow what happens in the world? It's something we'll monitor, but Americans are somewhat self-absorbed.

So long, and thanks for all the fish. We'd cancel Obama's subscription too, but unfortunately his contract runs till 2012.

[jimbo123]

Hastings, Reed
Santa Cruz,CA 95060 Netflix 4/29/10 $30,000 DNC Services Corp (D)
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX.COM/PRESIDENT & CEO 11/14/07 $28,500 Democratic Senatorial Campaign Cmte (D)
HASTINGS, REED
LOS GATOS,CA 95032 NETFLIX.COM 6/30/05 $26,700 Democratic Senatorial Campaign Cmte (D)
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX 10/8/99 $20,000 DNC Services Corp (D)
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX 10/11/00 $15,000 DNC/Non-Federal Individual (D)
HASTINGS, REED
LOS GATOS,CA 95032 NETFLIX.COM 10/30/00 $5,000 DSCC/Non-Federal Unicorp Assoc (D)
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX INC./CEO 5/17/04 $5,000 CARE PAC (R)
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX INC./CEO 8/3/05 $5,000 CARE PAC (R)
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX/EXECUTIVE/MGMT 10/20/08 $3,000 People for the American Way
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX/EXECUTIVE 11/2/09 $2,400 Khazei, Alan (D)
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX/EXECUTIVE 11/1/09 $2,400 Khazei, Alan (D)
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX/CEO 9/9/09 $2,400 Boxer, Barbara (D)
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX/CEO 9/9/09 $2,400 Boxer, Barbara (D)
Hastings, Reed
Santa Cruz,CA 95060 Netflix 8/27/08 $2,300 Obama, Barack (D)
Hastings, Reed
Santa Cruz,CA 95060 Netflix 8/27/08 $2,300 Obama, Barack (D)
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX INC 12/11/06 $2,100 Dodd, Chris (D)
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX INC/CEO 12/11/06 $2,100 Dodd, Christopher J (D)
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX 6/3/05 $2,100 Clinton, Hillary (D)
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX/CEO 2/27/06 $2,100 Bean, Melissa (D)
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX/CEO 8/23/06 $2,100 Ember, Reichgott Junge (D)
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX INC./CEO 10/19/05 $2,000 Roth, David (D)
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX 2/20/04 $2,000 Boxer, Barbara (D)
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX 2/20/04 $2,000 Boxer, Barbara (D)
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX/EXECUTIVE 3/24/03 $2,000 Dean, Howard (D)
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX/CEO 6/29/04 $2,000 Solidarity PAC (D)
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX/CEO 2/27/06 $1,900 Bean, Melissa (D)
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX.COM INC 5/15/00 $1,000 Technet
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX 10/28/00 $1,000 Cunneen, James F (R)
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX.COM/CEO 8/24/06 $1,000 Lofgren, Zoe (D)
HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ,CA 95060 NETFLIX 6/3/05 $400 Clinton, Hillary (D)
Hastings, Reed Mr
Santa Cruz,CA 95060 Netflix/CEO 8/22/08 $23,900 DNC Services Corp (D)

[Red in Blue PA]

You can get movies for free? (legally)

[I still care]

Try instantwatcher.com.

It has all their new streaming stuff by release date. I use that instead of the Netflix site.

However, the dismissive attitude the CEO has towards America ticks me pretty good. The fact is even the premium price is good here, so I’m not about to cut my nose off to spite my face. But I’d like to do something to show him he can’t be so snotty to his subscribers without payback.

[stylecouncilor]

As of now they are still mailing out DVD’s, but the stores around us have closed.

[yesca]

I know many who have dropped netflix because of all the ""f r e e '' stuff.

I still have and love netflix, love having the physical disc to pause, magnify still frames , etc.(when they show an old newspaper, I like to freezeframe and go in and look around).

I wouldn't want to do all that ''work'' it takes to get the ''free'' stuff anyway.

Plus, it often doesn't come through as good or have extras like commentary tracks, which I love.

[redhead]

"I hated Netflix . They sent broken or unplayable disks about a third of the time and turnaround was really slow. I use a local rental outlet now and am much happier."

Wow! I've been a subscriber almost since they first started, and I have NEVER had a delay or a broken disk. I've had two disks that were scratched too badly to play, so I wrote on the envelope and sent them back. My turnaround time is about 2 days.

[Safrguns]

>>> I found a quick solution. I dab a small drop of hand sanitizer on the disk, spread it around, then rinse and wipe dry with a towel.

Hastings sells a cd scratch remover (paste & towels) that has often times performed downright miracles.

[Varda]

Maybe some areas are better than others. I had the one disk at a time plan. If I got a broken disk (it happened three months in a row when I canceled) and sent it back it averaged a week and a half to get another one. I found that unacceptable.

These disks were genuinely broken not just dirty. I cleaned all the disks before putting them in my player.

[redhead]

yah, there’s no mistaking a broken disk. I think sometimes a good disk is sent out, but bags of mail can get stepped on in the mail distribution centers, etc. I’m sorry you haven’t had very good luck with them. I really enjoy my netflix.

[Drago]

Hey Safr!! Any BF2 lately? :-) I have Netflix and generally like it, but am ticked at the CEO’s comment (not about the Canadian service...they get no DVD’s and a more limited selection streamed for $1. less, big deal!).
Here is the quote from the Canada interview:
Reporter Q:”Are you concerned that American Netflix subscribers will look north and ask for the same discount Canadians get at $7.99?”
“(Reed)Hastings(CEO): How much has it been your experience that Americans follow what happens in the world? It’s something we’ll monitor, but Americans are somewhat self-absorbed.”
I am on the “2 out at once plan w/Blu-Ray” ($18.+) and will be reducing to the “1 out no blu-ray” or suspending my account for awhile. Not a good idea to “dis” your American customers while in a foreign country.
His “apology” here: (note the comments)
http://blog.netflix.com/
Also some good comments here at the Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/netflix?ref=ts&v=wall

[Nickname]

I’m at a point where I’m condemplating getting rid of cable TV.

. . .

We’d do that in a heartbeat if we could but we’re in an area with very limited options for internet connectivity.

[1010RD]

Do it. Keep the Internet, but ditch the television connection.

What you do isn’t my business, really, but our household is so much better after disengaging from pop culture.

Pop culture does nothing to reinforce or support our values. It is the exact opposite - the destruction of all we hold dear.

Our family did it over a decade ago and we’re closer than ever, plus our kids read - so do their parents. ;-]

[1010RD]

What is it with CA business people?

[catfish1957]

I used to like Red Box until everyone else did too, and the lines started.

[Quix]

Do it. Keep the Internet, but ditch the television connection.

What you do isn’t my business, really, but our household is so much better after disengaging from pop culture.

Pop culture does nothing to reinforce or support our values. It is the exact opposite - the destruction of all we hold dear.

Our family did it over a decade ago and we’re closer than ever, plus our kids read - so do their parents. ;-]

---

AMEN! AMEN!

[TomGuy]

Netflix & NBC Universal Announce Expanded Streaming Partnership

Netflix has signed yet another deal for streaming content, and this time it's with NBC Universal. The deal expands the existing partnership for NBC shows, and also adds content from NBC Universal's cable channels, USA Network and Syfy.

"We are very pleased to continue our successful relationship with Netflix," said Frances Manfredi, executive vice president and general sales manager of cable and non-theatrical sales for NBC Universal Domestic TV Distribution, who forged the deal.  "We applaud Netflix for recognizing the value of content like 'SNL,' 'Friday Night Lights,' 'Monk,' and 'Battlestar Galactica' to their subscribers."

So what shows does this deal include?

• Past episodes of Saturday Night Live, plus new shows a day after they air through 2012.
• Past seasons of 30 Rock, The Office, and Law & Order: SVU.
• All past seasons of Friday Night Lights, Psych, In Plain Sight, and Monk.
• More than 75 episodes of Battlestar Galactica, plus Destination Truth and Eureka.

[Safrguns]

>>> Hey Safr!! Any BF2 lately? :-)

lol... yeah, still at it! Thanks for asking; Road Rage + Animal (redux) latest vids

>>> “(Reed)Hastings(CEO): How much has it been your experience that Americans follow what happens in the world? It’s something we’ll monitor, but Americans are somewhat self-absorbed.”

He is right though. I don't take so much offense to it. If people in this nation cannot remember democrat lies from the latest election cycle, empty campaign promises, or even 9/11, what makes us think anyone gives a crap or will remember what Canadians are paying for Netflix?

We ARE self absorbed. He just should have chosen a more palatable way of saying it.

[Drago]

America-hating leftist CEO PING!