Qwikster is the name of the new DVD-by-mail Netflix company that will be a completely separate business from its streaming-video service. Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said, "We realized that streaming and DVD by mail are becoming two quite different businesses, with very different cost structures, different benefits that need to be marketed differently, and we need to let each grow and operate independently." Andy Rendich has been appointed as the new Qwikster CEO.
The name "Qwikster" refers to "quick delivery", but how will that be affected if the United States Postal Service is able to get approval for elimination of Saturday mail delivery? Waiting an extra day until Monday, or an extra two days until Tuesday when there is a Monday holiday, would put quite a crimp in naming the new service "Qwikster" as well as causing complaints among subscribers.
On the streaming service side, Netflix and Discovery Communications have made a two-year deal to bring large chunks of Discovery's programing library through a Netflix search bar which will give a list of available programs from TLC, Animal Planet, and other networks. Oprah's OWN Network, however, has been excluded. This is the result of Netflix's failure to continue negotiations with Starz for streaming content.
With its stock price falling rapidly, Netflix needs a "shot in the arm" from its new ideas. What is your reaction to the split in businesses, the new name, the Discovery connection, and these plans by Netflix as well as their large loss of subscribers when they changed their payment plans in July?
recommend
Facebook
Twitter
bookmark 
print
Comments: 3