Netflix Extends Unlimited Online Streaming to Nearly All Customers

Sun Jan 13, 2008 10:53PM EST

See Comments (15)

Some say it's because of a potential threat from Apple. I say it's just a smart business decision: Netflix is making its impressive "Watch Instantly" service available to almost all of its customers, while removing the hourly limits it places on how much consumers can watch. (Three-discs-at-once viewers, for example, were previously limited to 17 hours of viewing a month.)

The only customers who won't get the option are those at the very lowest level of Netflix's service option: Those paying $4.99 for two rentals a month. For everyone else, it's all you can eat.

Things will get even more interesting when LG's Netflix-ready set-top box arrives later this year, giving viewers the option to watch streaming movies on a TV instead of their PC.

How does Apple figure into it? Many expect the company to launch a service to revive its nearly useless Apple TV business, selling movie rentals for $3.99 while requiring they be viewed within 24 hours. If true, that would make Apple's service the most expensive and the most restrictive online rental service on the market. (Even Amazon's failed Unbox rental service offers 30-day rentals, many at 99 cents or $1.99.) We'll hear the truth on Tuesday when Steve Jobs makes his annual January announcements.

Kudos to Netflix for such an impressive and game-changing move! Stay tuned for additional details as they're available (including coverage of Jobs' MacWorld keynote.)

LINK: Netflix expands Internet viewing option

Comments on Netflix Extends Unlimited Online Streaming to Nearly All Customers

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  • 6 Posted by stephenjkyle on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:41PM EDT Report Abuse

    It's ironic - and dumb - that this is heralded as a competitive response to Apple. Netflix's new offering is not available to customers using Mac computers. Hey Netflix, how about lowering my price since I'm getting less than everyone else!?

  • 7 Posted by ellentk on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    "The only customers who won't get the option are those at the very lowest level of Netflix's service option: " And those of us on Macs. You did not mention that Netflix has failed to offer its service to the growing number of Mac users out there! It's only available to "Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista." And we all know how successful in sales the latter has been! Call it "OS Discrimination."

  • 8 Posted by barrykward on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm a netflix member but the streaming service doesn't support the mac so I have no use for it. Not getting the apple service either. DVD's on the big screen are just fine.

  • 9 Posted by angusthegrim on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    Movie Studio's have been very sheepish in permitting newer content that could cut into DVD sales. I almost think they see it as something similar to the streaming piracy boogey man that they see as robbing them of so much income. There is a huge diference between the pirated dvds being sold like china's version of blockbuster, and the streaming dvd rips that crop up on website all over the net. I think the studios are behind the times, and are missing the boat on the single best way to help recover those lost to piracy dollars. "Be kind rewind", should be changed to "be kind and stream". I think there is a model that will allow current content, without robbing dvd sales.

  • 10 Posted by juancarlosrosa50 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    i'm a netflix customer, i see the service excellent with lots of movies to choose from, they are not that new but for a free add on is the best movie rental company compare to blockbuster or others come on people lets be thankful is free, so probably with time they will add new releases so lets not be desperates, and for mac people i will suggest changing operating systems since xp and vista are the best...

  • 11 Posted by jjmauss on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    TiVo has had this feature for at least 6 months and that is the way to go since you can watch on your tv and not a computer

  • 12 Posted by sarovarbanka on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:04PM EDT Report Abuse

    I like Netflix because of the selection. Like the majority of people I still like to watch movies on a TV and not a computer. I think this is really a move to give apple a leg up when convergence of home media (computer and TV the same device or easily networked) becomes common. Then Apple will be competing not just with Netflix but with local cable companies.

  • 13 Posted by wwicks333 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    Well I heard that the movies will improve over time at netflix.ws

  • 15 Posted by cesarjr82 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    well at least it's free, I mean no company I've ever seen has given a lot of thought into it and actually give infinite streaming for any movie you like. Just think about it it's all about the money.

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