WIRED: Netflix Expands Internet Viewing Option

[Jason Dunn]

http://news.wired.com/dynamic/stories/U/UNLIMITED_NETFLIX?SITE=WIRE&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-01-13-13-19-22

"Girding for a potential threat from Apple Inc., online DVD rental service Netflix Inc. is lifting its limits on how long most subscribers can watch movies and television shows over high-speed Internet connections. The Associated Press has learned the change will become effective Monday, on the eve of Apple's widely anticipated move into the movie rental industry. Although Apple hasn't confirmed anything yet, Chief Executive Steve Jobs is expected to make it official during a presentation Tuesday in San Francisco. Netflix is gearing up for the increased competition by expanding a year-old feature that streams movies over the Internet instead of making customers wait for their online rental requests to be delivered through the mail. Until now, Netflix restricted how long its more than 7 million subscribers could use the streaming service each month, based on how much they pay to rent DVDs. For instance, under a popular plan that charges $16.99 per month to rent up to three DVDs at a time, Netflix customers could watch as many as 17 hours of entertainment each month on the streaming service, dubbed 'Watch Instantly.' "

Not being a US American, I've never tried NetFlix (I use a similar service for Canadians called Zip), but the expansion of streaming content has to be something that Netflix customers are going to enjoy. For you Netflix users out there, how many of you are streaming content? What's their selection like?

[Jason Dunn]

http://news.wired.com/dynamic/stories/U/UNLIMITED_NETFLIX?SITE=WIRE&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-01-13-13-19-22

"Girding for a potential threat from Apple Inc., online DVD rental service Netflix Inc. is lifting its limits on how long most subscribers can watch movies and television shows over high-speed Internet connections. The Associated Press has learned the change will become effective Monday, on the eve of Apple's widely anticipated move into the movie rental industry. Although Apple hasn't confirmed anything yet, Chief Executive Steve Jobs is expected to make it official during a presentation Tuesday in San Francisco. Netflix is gearing up for the increased competition by expanding a year-old feature that streams movies over the Internet instead of making customers wait for their online rental requests to be delivered through the mail. Until now, Netflix restricted how long its more than 7 million subscribers could use the streaming service each month, based on how much they pay to rent DVDs. For instance, under a popular plan that charges $16.99 per month to rent up to three DVDs at a time, Netflix customers could watch as many as 17 hours of entertainment each month on the streaming service, dubbed 'Watch Instantly.' "

Not being a US American, I've never tried NetFlix (I use a similar service for Canadians called Zip), but the expansion of streaming content has to be something that Netflix customers are going to enjoy. For you Netflix users out there, how many of you are streaming content? What's their selection like?

[Tim Williamson]

Any word on Netflix for Xbox360? I'm still waiting for a subscription based service to come along that really competes with Comcast cable for TV shows.

[MarxMarvelous]

I've never come close to exhausting my 'Watch Now' quota. The biggest problem is that I don't have a HTPC connected to my movie screen... just an Media Center Extender (Xbox 360).

If they really want to one-up Apple they need to build a media center plug-in that allows you to watch streaming movies.

[cfaslave]

The Watch Instantly content is typically older stuff and not a huge selection at this point. I expect this will get better once they release the new Netflix/LG set-top boxes although that will probably mean a new pricing structure as well.

I think the quality of the movie streaming is very good - some of the best I've seen. I think Netflix, if they play their cards right might have a winner here.

Brent