For some time Netflix has indicated they would announce their download strategy in January… and here we are! Initially, they will offer about 1,000 streaming movies (via their web page, Windows PC required) at the rate of 1 hour of video for every dollar you spend on monthly Netflix service. Depending upon your available bandwidth, quality can scale up to near-DVD quality. Deployment begins today and will be available to all customers by June.
Netflix has come up with quite an innovative pricing strategy. In its current form (PC-only viewing), I’m not sure how many new customers they’ll acquire… But perhaps this service will limit some (high profile) defections to Blockbuster. Though they’ve introduced a pricing inequity issue with a staggered roll-out: Mike gets “Watch Now.” Dave does not. We both pay the same, yet his service is now superior to mine. Netflix better be prepared to activate everyone who requests the feature or risk alienating customers.
So far, they’re not off to a good start. The first thing I did this AM was email customer support and ask to have video streaming enabled and this was Verna’s reply:
Dear Dave,
Thanks for your message.
I appreciate you inquiring about “Watch Now” feature, at this time we do not have any information on this feature. I have enclosed the list of plans that are available.
Here is a listing of the various program sizes we offer:
[…]
If Netflix “do[es] not have any information on this feature” that they offer, who does? I sure hope Netflix ultimately partners with TiVo, Sling, etc to get this content to my TV without requiring an additional set-top box.