HBO has decided stop selling DVDs to Netflix. What’s that you hear? The collective gasp of vampire fans who won’t have access to the next season of True Blood? Not really. It’s just the “whoosh” of the door as Netflix leaves the office to find someone else to sell them the discs. HBO was giving Netflix a bulk discount, so buying the discs is going to cost a little bit more, but the move doesn’t really put a dent in profits. And best of all, you still get to watch your stories.
If anything, this move signals how scared HBO is of Netflix. Here’s a company that makes critically acclaimed shows, presumably, for you to watch, and it goes ahead and symbolically cuts off one of the biggest means of getting those shows seen. Why? Simple – HBO wants you to sign up for its streaming service, which by the way, means to you have to sign up with a cable company and pay for a premium subscription.
Maybe this would be a good time for Showtime to cozy up with Netflix and earn some customer love. More streaming Dexter anyone?
In other DVD news, Warner Bros. has decided to hold back new releases from Netflix and other DVD rental shops for 56 days after the release date. The previous wait time was 28 days. Basically Warner Bros. is saying is, “ please, please buy our movies,” because that’s how they make the big money. Unfortunately what people are hearing is, “please, please find a way to illegally download this movie that’s been in stores for almost two months.”
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