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When Netflix started up more than 10 years ago, its sales pitch was pretty simple: Hey, subscribe to us, and we'll mail you DVDs that you can then mail back to us without worrying about any late fees. But as the rental market moves toward online and on-demand models, Netflix's iconic red envelopes may eventually become as antiquated as VHS tapes. Beefing up their streaming business, Netflix has predicted that in about two years their economics will be geared more toward their "Watch Instantly" service than through physical discs. For that to happen, Netflix will have to nudge their DVD-loyal customers to the new platform. And on Monday, the company learned just how hard that may be.

In a seemingly innocent 109-word blog post, Netflix director of product management Jamie Odell announced, "We're removing the 'Add to DVD Queue' option from streaming devices," suggesting that it was being done so that the company "can concentrate on offering you the titles that are available to watch instantly." Granted, the Netflix website still allows DVD queue updating, but this post, dropped on the morning of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, created an immediate firestorm of comments -- most of them very, very angry.

"Clearly Netflix wants to send less discs through the mail, and therefore wants to make it more difficult for the user to add to their queue in furtherance of that," wrote "Eldendor." "Horrible idea!" wrote "usrbingeek." "Especially when there are still few titles available for streaming and the titles that you do have, seem to have very narrow license windows." On and on came the complaints, with most responders saying essentially (1) I like having access to DVDs even if I use a PS3 or mobile phone to stream movies on Netflix; and (2) there aren't enough good titles available on "Watch Instantly." "I think this is a totally foolish move on your part. I like to be able to add movies to my DVD queue from my iPhone," commented "b.dsign."  "f this means that netflix is going to add more movies to watch instantly i support the change," "Beto" wrote, "but if they are not, then it's just a bad idea."

As of yet Netflix hasn't released any response, which, really, is their response. Whether customers like or not, Netflix knows that the future is moving away from physical discs and toward instant access. And, really, none of us who use Netflix should be surprised: Back in November the company announced that they were offering a new lower subscription rate for streaming-only customers while increasing the rate for people who still wanted DVDs. Right now, if you want DVDs from Netflix, the company is less than thrilled with you: They need you to get used to the idea of streaming films and TV shows so that you'll drop the physical disc habit: a craving, ironically, that they themselves created thanks to the ease of their iconic red envelopes.

But while Netflix is slowly discouraging the continued interest in DVDs, they face a different challenge even if their business model transformation succeeds. As Slate reported, if Netflix's streaming business takes off the way they think it will, it could prove a serious drain on America's broadband capacity, which is far less nimble than other countries'. Netflix is angering customers right now because the company wants to do away with DVDs: We don't even want to think of a future where Netflix angers the entire Internet community because too many people are streaming old episodes of "Friends" at the same time.

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But while Netflix is slowly discouraging the continued interest in DVDs, they face a different challenge even if their business model transformation succeeds. As Slate reported, if Netflix's streaming business takes off the way they think it will, it could prove a serious drain on America's broadband capacity, which is far less nimble than other countries'.

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Learyfan said:

Anyone else in here pissed that Netflix is moving quickly toward completely abandoning the DVD format?  I love DVDs.  I don't have the ability to play movies on my TV, so why would I want to watch every movie on my computer.  I don't understand why they think everyone wants to watch movies like that, or on a PSP or whatever.  I'm hoping this backlash will change their minds

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wow I didn't even know they were planning on doing that. I do enjoy steaming movies on my TV, but I love the DVDs that they have.
98% of my DVD collection was from them

DieCommie said:

I find the DVD format to be archaic.  I dont use netflix, but if I did I wouldnt care for getting DVDs.

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urbanwolf said:

Bingo, or shit internet won't be able to handle the capacity. Now maybe if we all lived in South Korea or something...but here that just doesn't make sense at all.

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I never considered that Netflix could actually slow down the whole internet.  That makes me even more angry. 

kush420 said:

I love the DVDs that they have.
98% of my DVD collection was from them

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I'm not at 98% yet, but I'm working on it. 

urbanwolf said:

Quote:

But while Netflix is slowly discouraging the continued interest in DVDs, they face a different challenge even if their business model transformation succeeds. As Slate reported, if Netflix's streaming business takes off the way they think it will, it could prove a serious drain on America's broadband capacity, which is far less nimble than other countries'.

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Bingo, or shit internet won't be able to handle the capacity. Now maybe if we all lived in South Korea or something...but here that just doesn't make sense at all.

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Learyfan said:

urbanwolf said:

Bingo, or shit internet won't be able to handle the capacity. Now maybe if we all lived in South Korea or something...but here that just doesn't make sense at all.

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I never considered that Netflix could actually slow down the whole internet.  That makes me even more angry. 

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BothHands said:

Learyfan said:

urbanwolf said:

Bingo, or shit internet won't be able to handle the capacity. Now maybe if we all lived in South Korea or something...but here that just doesn't make sense at all.

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I never considered that Netflix could actually slow down the whole internet.  That makes me even more angry. 

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Seriously, wtf?!  Is the US really that far behind?  Far enough behind that one company streaming videos to people can slow down the entire internet?!  That's insane.

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Where are you getting the info that leads you to believe this would be the case?  I find it kinda hard to believe...

Do you use torrents?  If so I don't wanna hear your bitching

CarnivalBarker said:

Maybe you should invest in a blu ray player Learyfan?

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BothHands said:

Seriously, wtf?!  Is the US really that far behind?  Far enough behind that one company streaming videos to people can slow down the entire internet?!  That's insane.

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I know, right?  Who knew we were that vulnerable. 

BothHands said:

Seriously, wtf?!  Is the US really that far behind?  Far enough behind that one company streaming videos to people can slow down the entire internet?!  That's insane.

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RipVanWinkle said:

My TV has a hookup thats just like a hookup for a monitor, and I actually use my TV as a computer monitor anyways (I'm looking at my TV right now).  Granted its a semi-new (5 year old) flatscreen TV, but I'm pretty sure you can buy cords that let you plug a monitor cord into an AV input...

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RipVanWinkle said:

Do you use torrents?  If so I don't wanna hear your bitching

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Torrents download much quicker than the length of the movie.  So it's definitely not an equal strain on the internet. 

RipVanWinkle said:

BothHands said:

Learyfan said:

urbanwolf said:

Bingo, or shit internet won't be able to handle the capacity. Now maybe if we all lived in South Korea or something...but here that just doesn't make sense at all.

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I never considered that Netflix could actually slow down the whole internet.  That makes me even more angry. 

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Seriously, wtf?!  Is the US really that far behind?  Far enough behind that one company streaming videos to people can slow down the entire internet?!  That's insane.

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Where are you getting the info that leads you to believe this would be the case?  I find it kinda hard to believe...

Do you use torrents?  If so I don't wanna hear your bitching

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Well since you asked....

RipVanWinkle said:

Where are you getting the info that leads you to believe this would be the case?  I find it kinda hard to believe...

Do you use torrents?  If so I don't wanna hear your bitching

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The quotes that I was replying to?  I don't know about the accuracy, but other people before me made the claims, I was just commenting on them.


And I did torrent a few discographies, but I haven't used torrents for months.  I already have enough stuff to do on the computer.  If I started watching movies on here, I'd never sleep.

Learyfan said:

RipVanWinkle said:

Do you use torrents?  If so I don't wanna hear your bitching

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Torrents download much quicker than the length of the movie.  So it's definitely not an equal strain on the internet.

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RipVanWinkle said:

Hmmm interesting, thank you.  Doesn't the density of population connected have to do with speed too though?  example, Japan and Korea being so much above everyone else?

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