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Netflix Subscriber Base Eclipses Comcast's

Posted by Soulskill on from the streaming-to-the-future dept.

NicknamesAreStupid writes "Netflix just announced its earnings and claims to have more subscribers than Comcast. 'Netflix's global subscriber base grew almost 70% over the past year, to 23.6 million users. ... More than 7% of Americans now subscribe to Netflix.' Does that go to show how great Netflix really is or, well, you know?"

6 of 333 comments (clear)

  1. superior value by SpiralSpirit · · Score: 4, Insightful

    obviously, netflix is the far superior value to what most cable companies offer.

  2. There's a big difference, though by nysus · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Netflix isn't sucking about $2K/year out of me like Comcast.

    --

    ---Technology will liberate us if it doesn't enslave us first.

    1. Re:There's a big difference, though by Tony+Isaac · · Score: 4, Insightful

      True, but Netflix is going to eventually force Comcast to lower their prices significantly.

      As Netflix offers more TV programming, there may come a tipping point where you don't need Cable TV at all, you could just get all your programming from Netflix. THEN all you need is the broadband service + Netflix. Even though the broadband service might come from Comcast, you don't have to pay the exorbitant rates for the TV channels!

    2. Re:There's a big difference, though by kimvette · · Score: 5, Insightful

      True, but Netflix is going to eventually force Comcast to lower their prices significantly.

      No, that is not true at all. Netflix reaching critical mass is what prompted Comcast to introduce the bandwidth cap. The way Comcast will compete is not by continuing to improve their network, or improving product or cutting prices, but by lowering bandwidth caps further. Comcast is old media which is dabbling in interweb technology. Comcast is not an ISP - at least not in mindset.

      --
      The Christian Right is Neither (Christian nor right). See: Matthew 23, Matthew 25, Ezekiel 16:48-50
  3. Don't think Comcast and etc. will let this go. by WiiVault · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The problem today is that at least in the US most broadband providers are TV providers also. The telecos who don't have a TV network have even gotten on board with "bundles" including DirecTV and Dish. They are smarter than consumers give them credit for though. You might think your poor service is proof of their incompetence- your wrong... sooo wrong. They will do anything to maintain a baseline of service that is merely tolerable because raising the bar costs them money and frankly where the hell will you go? To the other massive evil teleco/cable, overpriced wireless (3G/4G) or satellite? Dial-up perhaps? Of course not, they've got you buy the nuts. So expect Comcast's already pathetic 250 gig limit (even for 100$ monthly subscribers BTW) to go down (in GB per month), AT&T and Verizon are sure to follow (shocking!!). In the end, if they have their way, you will be able to watch Netflix, but it will cost in bandwidth fees nearly as much as it would cost to rent- with their respective pay-per-view fees. With today's government oversight and teleco mentality could it end any other way?

  4. Re:Let's just get this out of the way.. by kvvbassboy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Why is it available on iPhone then?