I love Netflix, but not nearly as much as I used to.
There was once a time when I’d think in terms of what other activities I could fit into my day after I satisfied my daily Netflix activity. Sure, I had a lot more free time then, because I was a student, but even when I was swamped with papers and upcoming exams, in addition to the rest of my life, Netflix was still an obsessive priority.
Was it the extensive library it had that gave it an edge?
No, not really, because like everyone else, I was always craving more content for instant streaming. Instead, it was more of the idea that I believed the company would provide more of the content I wanted soon enough. And for a while, that alone kept my faith in its services.
Was it the low price?
Maybe, but I’m still paying for both its streaming and DVD services after the subscription prices increased and caused mass outrage last year. And that’s months after I’m willing to acknowledge that I don’t love the site nearly as much as I used to. Strange, I know.
I guess what I’m getting to is that as much as I love Netflix and what it offers, over the past year, it went from being my one of my favorite sites to letting me down tremendously. It’s a company that, in my opinion, could’ve handled the criticism it received for the increase in subscription fees in numerous better ways.
Mostly because I think of Netflix as a social network of sorts, and because of that alone, it should’ve known how to play the game better, at least in terms of keeping its customers happy and handling the media attention more smoothly. From the name change idea, i.e., Quickster, which failed so miserably, thanks to Twitter, and the poor responses from its CEO, Reed Hastings, on all of its troubles, Netflix hit rock bottom. But in an age where everyone watches everything online, there’s got to be some hope.
So can Netflix get its groove back?
Yes, but not until it gets more of the content people want, i.e., up to date shows as seen on Hulu, before it further pursues its plans for releasing new, exclusive content through its services.
Am I right or what?
