Netflix, Streaming Only is in Your Future

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/streaming_surpasses_dvds_on_netflix_streaming-only.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+readwriteweb+(ReadWriteWeb)' target='_blank'>http://www.readwriteweb.com/archive...+(ReadWriteWeb)</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"If there was any doubt that Netflix would begin moving toward a streaming-only offering, a quote resurfaced this morning from the company's quarterly report makes it all too clear that Netflix will embrace the "net" of its moniker. According to the report, Netflix has become predominantly streaming, with a majority of its users watching more content streamed online than on DVD."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/adt/auto/1282828277.usr105634.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>The Netflix streaming capability is all over now, with options for PS3, Wii, Blu-Ray players and Xbox to name a few, so it appears inevitable that Netflix is going to go that route and abandon their mailing option. The key question is when exactly is this going to happen? It sounds like it will be sooner rather than later, with projections for offering a streaming only version of their service late in Q4. I think I would still stick with a combo plan, using the streaming as well as mailed DVDs, but that is only due to the fact they don't have everything available to stream. If they did, that is all I would use. What are your thoughts?</p>

[Dyvim]

Once their streaming library is the same as their disk library, I'm all for it (with a few caveats). Until that time, they better keep up with the physical media. And my parents, who don't have a broadband internet connection, would drop Netflix the day the physical disk method is no longer an option.

[Fritzly]

Same here; in order to go mainly, not only, with streaming they need to vastly improve the available titles.
Also here in the US, there is the issue of the providers that charge a fortune for the connections and, in spite of this, put download caps.
Finally but I do not know who would be responsible for it a complete revamp of the Netflix add-in for MS Media Center; as it is is very poor and I never use it; using the browser is better......

[Jason Dunn]

The other comments have nailed it - until their streaming selection is 99% the same as their DVD selection, it seems like an incredibly stupid idea to stop the disc shipments - that's clearly the future, but it will take a few years, and much greater penetration of Netflix-enabled devices. When a $49 Blu-ray player at Wal-mart has Netflix built-in, then it's time.