Netflix inks with Universal and Twentieth Century Fox: first TV streams, more films, and 28 day rental delay
By Thomas Ricker 
posted April 9th 2010 8:55AM
posted April 9th 2010 8:55AM
Everyone's streaming media darling, Netflix, has just reached terms with both Universal and Twentieth Century Fox. Both agreements beef up Netflix's streaming content while limiting Netflix to renting DVD and Blu-ray discs 28 days after the retail street date -- yup, just like with Warner Brothers. To put that into perspective, while Twentieth Century Fox's "Avatar" DVD/Blu-ray will hit shelves on April 22nd it won't be available for Netflix rental until the end of May. On the plus side we've got a first time, Netflix TV streaming agreement with TCF -- albeit, released in a window it decides. Content includes the complete prior seasons of shows like "24," "Bones," and "Lie to Me" in addition to older library titles like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Can't say we didn't see this one coming.
Most exciting bit: All 9 seasons of the X-Files are now fully streamable.
@DanteDiablo
...and 7 of those are actually enjoyable!
If they can get people who just can't wait for Netflix to buy the discs and subsidize my own low-cost viewing, that's fine. Market segmentation and price discrimination works for me (as long as I can be in the right segment). We're enjoying wandering through film history with a combination of streaming and DVDs, so we aren't in a big hurry for new releases. But I'm glad other people are impatient and willing to pay theater and Blu-ray prices.
I can understand how some people would be upset by this. But for me it's not that big of a deal. I buy all the movies that I really want. I got netflix as a source to see movies that none of my local shops carried. And the streaming service add on's we'll be getting is nothing but icing on that cake.
I havent see the increase in quantity or quality content available through instant play that was promised when Netflix signed the first 28 day deal with Warner Bros. I was expecting some kind of press release from Netflix announicing a large percentage of new streaming titles. I doubt that customers will realize any addtional value from these deals.
@in4matics You are correct about WB, but this deal is actually decent because of the huge Fox TV Library now available - 24, Buffy, Angel, Roswell, Bones, The X-Files for me this is a great deal because most Fox Blu-ray releases are bare bones and all over the place in terms of quality anyway. But from a TV Watching standpoint this is a major, major win for consumers.
@malexandria1 Hmm.. do you work for Fox? I didn't join Netflix for television shows, especially the shows produced by Fox. Most of Fox's content is availble from Fox.com anyway. I seriously doubt that all seasons of every series will be available at the same time, for an extended perios of time and in HD. Netflix is limiting the choice of new releases in favor of paying less for DVDs and adding a collection of instant play TV shows that are/should be long gone or on their way out
meh. Kind of disappointing, but I understand the tactic. If people are itching to get a movie, they go to the store and buy it on day one. The strong point of Netflix hasn't really been getting new releases out super-quickly. I have discovered so much new material on the instant streaming content and I can watch it anytime, anywhere. They add a new season of something and I'm hooked for weeks.
All that being said, 28 days is quite a long time. How about maybe a week or two?
Almost exactly a year ago if you used Blu-Ray you got an email from NetFlix stating that you would have your subscription fee increased. I always got new releases the day they were released shipped on Monday before the Tuesday street date and got it delivered in my mailbox the same Tuesday...as somebody who almost exclusively rents new releases this is not good news.
I'm not the only one who rents this way -
http://techcrunch.com/2010/02/03/netflix-new-releases/
My issue is that not everybody streams - I am in an IFITL neighborhood and I am stuck on a 1.5mb DSL connection, HD streaming is not feasible for me, Blu-Ray is the way I watch movies and it works great with uncompressed audio and superior video quality. NetFlix should have an option for Blu-Ray only or streaming only and upcharge the people who are getting the benefits of this deal they are striking with the studios.
@TeflonFong Or they should refund or cancel the Blu-ray premium price they charge us.
@TeflonFong
How does everyone find time for all theses movies? I can see with your situation since there aren't as many blu-rays as DVDs, but still if I'm lucky I watch 1 movie a week. Is there no backlog of older blu-rays you could be catching up on while you wait?
@Killer Orca one of the reasons I originally paid for NetFlix was cutting out some of the movies I wanted to watch in theaters because theater prices were getting ridiculous, so the movies I missed out on in theaters I would watch on Blu...I tend to watch new releases, and love how they look in HD, some of the older catalog titles don't look as crisp, but these new films look great - i guess because of the digital transfers.
I am really looking forward to Avatar and experiencing it in 2D.
@TeflonFong Please tell me you already have seen it in 3D?
I can finally catch up on my east bound and down in the stall at applebees
Two words - Freakin' Idiotic!
The film industry is flat out greedy. Like they're not making a killing on 3D movies. I propose a boycott of 3D!
i was already waiting 30 plus days for new rentals, now i gotta wait 30 days before i wait my extra 30 days of some asshole hogging the discs so i can watch a stupid new release, no wonder everyone is moving to reddisc and those places, its cheaper unless you watch more than 15 titles a month which who does? you're more likely to get a new movie, and you dont get stuck watching old movies, if i wanted to watch shitty old movies ill just go to on demand on my tv. im glad i stopped my acct...
I thought that this would upset me when they made the first deal, but it turns out that if I am really anxious to see a movie then I already watched it in theaters.
Not too shocking, given that apparently Netflix only has one disc each of the early seasons of Top Gear. I think it's been six months since I first added them.
Seems like a fair trade to me. I'd rather see more variety in the instant stuff than have new release movies a month earlier.
I don't get it. Is this supposed to encourage dvd piracy? If so, its brilliant.
thats horrible news :(
I have to wait a month after it's released? I'm good. I'll just torrent it and take it off my queue. Thank you movie studios for selling plastic instead of movies.
When will Netflix finally stop discriminating against U.S. citizens residing in Puerto Rico and allow them to enjoy their streaming service?
I actually canceled my 3 DVD out at a time from Netflix last week over this. I do like the service, but when I end up having to go to the Blockbuster down the street to get new releases, what is the point of having Netflix? I just dumped it. I'll put up with a two minute drive to get the new releases and I'm saving $27 a month now.
I just don't see the big deal. I wait a month...OH NO! I can wait a month....just make sure you keep ADDING NEW FILMS when 28 days is up, Netflix
Your online library is getting stale