Netflix to Stream Premium Content from Starz Network, Wins My Heart
Posted 10/02/08 at 01:00:03 PM by Paul Lilly
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Let me just say it: I love Netflix. Sometimes I feel like we don't even deserve to be together. Tempted by Blockbuster's in-store exchange policy, I left Netflix behind for a steamy, yet ultimately short lived affair. It all came to a screeching halt when Blockbuster changed the rules of our relationship, demanding more of my money for less of its features.
Since then, I've rekindled my relationship with Neflix, who welcomed me back with open arms, and the thrill of unlimited in-store DVD exchanges on the cheap is nothing more than a memory of broken promises. I'm fully committed to Netflix now, and by all accounts, it appears Netflix is fully committed to me.
The online rental service made a strong bid for the hearts of movie watchers like myself first by keeping prices reasonable and, for the most part, stagnant. But that hasn't stopped Netflix from offering more of itself, making me fall even more in love. Every plan, save for the bottom of the barrel $4.99 subscription, now comes with unlimited time for watching streaming movies, and it's not even restricted to my PC. Rather than nickel and dime me with a 'nominal' monthly fee, I can slap an affordable $99 Roku player into my home theater and stream content to my HDTV.
But it gets even better. Netflix tells me that if I'm willing to wait until late fall, I won't even have to buy a third-party player. Instead, my favorite online rental site has cozied up to my favorite gaming console, and I'll soon be able to stream content with my Xbox 360. Does Netflix know me or what?
Like all relationships, I'm not without complaints. I often long for the excitement of an expanded catalog and Netflix just can't give that to me. Downloadable movies and TV shows are often dated ,and if I want to watch something current, I've learned to keep my queue updated.
Netflix knows this, and rather than convince me to love it for who it is, my beloved rental service has promised to change (again), for the better. More than lip service, Netflix has went and teamed with Starz, instantly adding about 2,500 movies and concerts, including first run "premium" content!
"Beginning today, Netflix and Starz Play will offer a sneak preview of the first full episode of “Crash” in advance of the Starz primetime premiere on October 17 at 10 p.m. Eastern/Pacific. “Crash” will remain a staple in the Starz Play programming mix and new episodes will debut day-and-date with new episode premieres."
Anyone else in love with Netflix the way I am?
I must admit that I
Submitted by I_Jedi on Fri, 10/03/2008 - 1:41pm
I must admit that I myself am very pleased with Netflix’s
service. First, I like how they won’t hold me responsible if the DVDs in the
mail go missing while in route, or if they make a mistake. All I have to do is
report the incident and they’ll fix the issue right up for me. The price they
offer each month to rent unlimited DVDs far exceeds having to go to the video
store, rent a movie for four bucks, and end up only getting four movies from
the video store for $20 dollars, as compared to getting many more DVDs from
Netflix for just the same amount of money.At first, I was disappointed when I became a member and
found out that their streaming service did not have up-to-date movie
collections. Rather a collection of mostly 90’s and below T.V. and movie shows,
but seeing as how they’ve been trying to change that and not increase the fee
on me, it only makes me want to continue to be a loyal customer to them.I really can’t believe it took me so long to move to
Netflix, but like your relationship with Netflix, mines has been sweet, nice,
and easy, too.Finally, I can appreciate that Netflix tries to reward their
customers by improving their services, keeping cost down for their customers,
and much more. So long as they don’t try to pull a Blockbuster, or anything of
the sort, I will remain a loyal customer.
Submitted by Real HT Info Podcast on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 7:41pm
Good News, your don't have to wait to watch Netflix on your Xbox. MediaMall's PlayOn will play Netflix, Hulu, and more on your Xbox, PS3, or Popcorn Hour.
I have a video of the interface on thePopcorn Hour at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VdTnpOilXM
Marshall
Listen to the Real HT Info Podcast at realht.info
I have a married friend who
Submitted by horzo on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 3:55pm
I have a married friend who insists on sticking with BlockBuster. After asking him about 10 times why he didn't switch to Netflix, he finally told me he had no choice. Half the movies that show up in his mailbox are rejected by the wife after 10 minutes of viewing, and he has to run down to the store in order to exchange them for something she'll agree to watch.
I wonder how many poor bastards have to do the same. Kinda defeats the purpose of an online rental service, eh?
Blockbuster Corporate?
Submitted by aStalwartClone on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 2:35pm
For some reason I recall the BB in our area not even offering in store exchange because they were an independent franchise. That may or not be true as my memory serves me. The owner may have just been a d^ck. But long have I loved the services that Netflix provides and to check the account and notice that the price dropped; well is just unheard of. But Netflix did it. If she were to serve her sweet content to my PS3 I'd be even happier.
-A
Submitted by papagiglio on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 11:29am
I'm definitley in agreement! 2 xbox-360s and vmcNetflix and now 26 movies in my "Instant" Queue(added 20 last night!). Loving life! FYI Metric_inch, your cheap BB rentals are due to Netflix kicking butt! Love the on-demand almost as much as my dual tuner DVR Vista Media Center. Netflix support does great too!(don't we just watch too much TV!)
in review of......the
Submitted by kowal on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 11:19am
in review of......the movies that starz added to netflix.... suffer with bad quality.....almost like "you tube" quality.
The other netflix "instant watch" programing is much better.I
have watched episodes of columbo and the office....and the quality was
a little better than SD quality on my 3.0mb dsl connection.I
started watching "superbad" and "spiderman 3" starz added movies and
the quality was very poor....very much below standard SD quality.I do not even know why netflix bothered to do this at such a reduced quality,
why can't netflix offer starz movies at the same (very good) quality as their regular "watch now" streaming programming.
Submitted by metric_inch on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 10:49am
What type of problems did you have with the free in-store exchanges?
I've been using the blockbuster mail service for 2 years now. I get 2 coupons each month for a free in-store rental (movie or game) and can return my movies in-store for a free rental. I never had to pay for the in-store rentals.
If the wife didn't love the in-store rentals so much, I would be tempted to switch to netflix because it is cheaper.
edit:
I just looked up my account details vs a new blockbuster membership.
I have unlimited in-store exchanges and the coupons because my account was grand-fathered in. It looks like new accounts are limited to 5 in store exchanges per month.
Blockbuster
Submitted by One4yu2c on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 11:23am
My beef with Blockbuster is that they've repeatedly raised prices while cutting back on features. I started off paying $17.99/month for 3 rentals at a time plus unlimited in-store exchanges, then after the first price hike, I settled on the $21.99/month for 2 rentals at a time plus unlimited in-store exchanges. But when Blockbuster raised prices yet again back in December 2007 (they jacked up my subscription plan to $29.99), I gave up and went back to Netflix.
Submitted by metric_inch on Fri, 10/03/2008 - 11:10am
Hmm maybe I've had it longer than 2 years. When I first signed up they didn't have the in-store exchanges at all. I got 3 movies at a time and the 2 coupons. When they added in-store exchanges I received unlimited exchanges.
When they raised rates, I got an email saying my plan wouldn't be affected unless I wanted to change it.WOW. BB.com now wants 35$/month for 3 movies at a time, with unlimited rentals and unlimited in-store exchanges. DAMN that is a rip-off.
https://www.blockbuster.com/signup/y/plan/ click on see all plans to see how much they want to chargeIf I wasn't grand-fathered in with my plan I would have dumped bb for netflix by now.
Now as netflix expands the instant-download selection, I might be tempted to switch in the future.
In the long run competition is always good for us consumers.
Submitted by ajuhawk on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 11:39am
My beef with Blockbuster is shortly after I started to like having the in store rentals, not 1, not 2, but all 3 of the Blockbusters close to me in town went out of business!! There's no way I'll drive to the ones left just for that "extra".
Switching to netflix soon!
Submitted by One4yu2c on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 1:25pm
lol - that's a good point. The one nearest to me closed up as well, and while I made myself drive to the one across town, it still sucked to have to do so.
Submitted by hogkill on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 10:41am
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