Verizon Considering Purchase of Netflix

schwit1 writes "Shares of Netflix soared more than 6% Monday on a report that Verizon Communications is considering buying the troubled movie renter. Verizon is reportedly evaluating whether a purchase of Netflix could provide an entry into the video delivery business, DealReporter said, citing a source close to the matter. The news comes as Netflix continues to struggle from a series of missteps earlier this year when it raised subscription prices and separated its DVD-by-mail service and streaming. Netflix's stock price plunged to a new 52-week low two weeks ago when the company warned it would fall to a loss in 2012 if it failed to boost its bruised customer base."

Comments

Can you screw me now?

[Anonymous Coward]

Wowsers, if you thought Netflix was nickel-and-diming you, wait til Verizon gets hold of them. Probably cost you a quarter every time you use fast forward.

Re:Can you screw me now?

[jamsessionjay]

How is netflix nickel and diming me? It's one rate for streaming to multiple devices, then X amount more depending on how many physical discs you want to hold.

Nickle and diming is what Verizon does - X amount for Y amount of texts, or download limits, or download speeds, or service areas, or content packages, or voice minutes, and of course this is also largely dependent on which device you are using. And multiple devices? psh. Overcharges on service? That's a another horrible part right there.

That's real nickle-and-diming. There are so many gotchas I'd need a small book to describe it all. But this netflix hate I do not understand - it's simple and cheap. Is it that you want their service to be free?

Re:Can you screw me now?

[Luke727]

I already had a relatively expensive plan so it was only a few bucks for me, but some people's plans almost doubled in price. Granted $7 or $8 is not that much in the scheme of things, but if my price doubled overnight without bringing any improvements in the service then I might also be pissed. I understand it was out of Netflix's control, but the condescending (lack of) explanation was a huge misstep. They should have just been forthcoming and honest about it and a lot of this rage could have been avoided.

God no

[CodeReign]

The CRTC will have a fit and use it as even more reason to keep the lecherous US company from stealing Bell's customers. Damn them netflix hooligans with their fairer prices.

Oh God no

[realmolo]

If Verizon buys Netflix, we'll be paying $15/month for streaming to ONE device at a time, and the DVD delivery will be dropped entirely.There will be a limit of 15 streams a month per account, or 50GB of data, whichever comes first. Additional streams will cost $3.99 each. And you'll have to sign a 2-year contract. And if you want to stream to your PHONE, that will be another $15 a month, on top of the $15/month membership.

I love Netflix

[killmenow]

I am a long time customer. I love it. Even with the latest mis-steps, I am still a happy customer. Yes, they screwed up. But the service is still totally worth it to me.

But if Verizon buys them, I'm cancelling. I just cannot imagine any way that they wouldn't completely destroy Netflix's value proposition.

Re:I love Netflix

[apcullen]

Because the first thing verizon would do is remove the "cancel my service" button that netflix has. You'll have to sit on hold an hour to get your service turned off or even downgraded.

Re:Verizon would make it worse off.

[Grave]

The "one price fits all" model just doesn't work very well in the real world.

It doesn't work very well in the idiotic playground of RIAA/MPAA execs. While they may presently inhabit the real, physical world, the term "real world" implies something a bit more broad, and I don't believe the "one price fits all" model has been demolished for all markets.