Netflix, Warner Brothers To Offer Video On Demand Service

[Kent Pribbernow]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.com.com/Netflix%2C+Warner+Bros.+in+video-on-demand++test/2100-1025_3-5376581.html?part=rss&tag=5376581&subj=news.1025.5' target='_blank'>http://news.com.com/Netflix%2C+Warner+Bros.+in+video-on-demand++test/2100-1025_3-5376581.html?part=rss&tag=5376581&subj=news.1025.5</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Warner Bros. has agreed to license some films to Netflix as part of a test run of the Internet company's upcoming movie-download service, according to sources familiar with the plan. The agreement lends strength to speculation that Netflix and TiVo plan to jointly introduce a video-on-demand (VOD) service in the coming year. The service would allow people to rent and download films via Netflix, whose Internet site now only delivers DVDs via the U.S. Postal Service. The downloaded film would then be accessible on TiVo's personal video recorders for viewing on a TV set."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/netflix.gif" /><br /><br />This is an interesting move for Netflix...obviously an experimental plan to expand their product category, and draw new users. Although I personally have been less than impressed by the quality of video on demand, I can't help but wonder if this isn't the solution that will ultimately replace traditional movie distribution. No more waiting in line at the video store, or receiving DVDs in the mail. Just one click of your mouse and download movies right to home theatre.

[Doug Johnson]

How about a third option: "We're not ready yet; give it a few years to catch on."

At some point set-top boxes capable of playing streaming video might become common (or DVD players with this capability). But I don't think that people are going to want to sit in front of their computers to watch a movie.

[Kent Pribbernow]

How about a third option: "We're not ready yet; give it a few years to catch on."

Good idea. Done! :wink:

At some point set-top boxes capable of playing streaming video might become common (or DVD players with this capability). But I don't think that people are going to want to sit in front of their computers to watch a movie.

Well that was what I was referring to in my post. Perhaps one day set-top boxes desined to download content will replace DVDs.

[Felix Torres]

Perhaps one day set-top boxes desined to download content will replace DVDs.

We're almost there; the TiVO and MSN TV2 boxes can do it now, just not at digital video quality.
For that we'll have to wait for the next-gen set-top boxes.
But the technology required is both at hand and understood; the limiting factors for now are rights management and economics...

Soon.
Real soon.
The real fun, however, begins when studios let you schedule first-run tv shows on demand.
Say CBS "publishes" a new episode of CSI every thursday at 9
P
M.
You can then call it up and watch it any time you want afterwards.
And if a given episode refers to an older one, you can call that one up too.
No need for PVRs if you can call up any episode of any show, right?

Lots of room to grow with this tech beyond trying to put Blockbusters out of business...

[Suhit Gupta]

My only problem with movie rentals is that I get to watch it only for a fixed period and then I don't have access to it anymore. For example, when I order a movie using Time Warner's Movies-On-Demand, I get to see it for a 24 hour period (and obviously you watch it only once) and it isn't recordable. So after 24 hours, I don't have the movie anymore. By buying the DVD, I have a physical copy of the movie. Having said this, I look at this fact only for movies that I really care about. I don't mind so much for movies that are new but not the kind I would collect.

Suhit

[Felix Torres]

My only problem with movie rentals is that I get to watch it only for a fixed period and then I don't have access to it anymore. For example, when I order a movie using Time Warner's Movies-On-Demand, I get to see it for a 24 hour period (and obviously you watch it only once) and it isn't recordable. So after 24 hours, I don't have the movie anymore. By buying the DVD, I have a physical copy of the movie. Having said this, I look at this fact only for movies that I really care about. I don't mind so much for movies that are new but not the kind I would collect.

Suhit

Some things are inherently transient; others are inherently enduring.
A newspaper or newscast is mostly useful while it is current.
(Unless you're a historian), you really don't care what a paper said on page 27 six months ago.

Same thing with entertainment; some movies are worth owning on DVD some are barely watcheable on free TV. Each person has their own idea of what it is worth buying and what isn't but everybody does both.

I wonder how many people would now want to admit they have the CD version of The Macarena *and* still listen to it regularly... :twisted: