After a tumultuous third quarter the numbers are finally in for Netflix, and as expected its price hike and Qwikster madness have cost it a few customers in the US. Currently the company is reporting a total of 23.79 million customers in the US, down from 24.59 million last quarter — fewer than even it projected a few weeks ago. According to the report, it lost more “long term” customers than expected, which it attributes, again, to its poor explanation of the reasoning behind the change. To address those decisions and its inability to reach a new deal with Starz it has a few more numbers to show, as apparently only 7 percent of new customers are opting for the $15.98 hybrid package, while Starz Play content currently accounts for about six percent of streaming hours. Other competitors get it too — Amazon Prime Instant Video’s content library is referred to as “duplicative” and just a “small fraction” of what Netflix offers, as it counts on newly-signed exclusive deals to widen the gap.

We’ll dig through the report more and tune in to their earnings call in a bit, hit the source link to check out the PDF for yourself.

…developing

Netflix US subscriber count drops by 800k in Q3, 21.45 million still streaming originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Well it looks like Netflix’s rumored UK launch was a lot more than just a rumor. Today, the company announced that it will indeed expand to the UK and Ireland “in early 2012,” promising to offer unlimited streaming on PCs, tablets and mobile devices at a “low monthly subscription price.” The company didn’t say what that price would be, nor did it offer any details on available content or supported devices, though more details will be announced closer to its launch. We’re also expecting to hear more from Netflix during its Q3 earnings conference call later today, when we should find out about the impact of its recent price hike and Qwikster turnaround. Whether or not its foray into the UK can loosen Lovefilm‘s grip on the domestic market, however, remains to be seen. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Netflix to expand to UK, Ireland in ‘early 2012,’ looks to challenge Lovefilm

Netflix to expand to UK, Ireland in ‘early 2012,’ looks to challenge Lovefilm originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 03:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PBS has been down with Amazon’s Prime Instant Video service since it launched, and now it’s providing even more all-you-can-eat video for streaming under an expanded agreement. Naturally that means lots of episodes of NOVA and Antiques Roadshow, and “for the first time on digital video”, 200 episodes of The French Chef with Julia Child. According to Amazon, that puts its total number of selections over 12,000, more than double the amount of content it launched with. It still has a ways to go to match Netflix, but with a lower yearly price, sweet shipping deal and now the ability to teach you how to make an omelet, Amazon has developed a very compelling alternative.

Continue reading Amazon Prime Instant Video expands its library with even more video from PBS

Amazon Prime Instant Video expands its library with even more video from PBS originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Netflix Android app adds support for Honeycomb tablets, extends reach to Canada and Latin America originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Photo Stream, NHL, AirPlay mirroring and more added to Apple TV with software update originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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That cheaper, purpler, Roku LT we spied passing through the FCC and beta testing is official, and will hit retail shelves for just $50 next month. It’s only $10 less than the also-720p-limited Roku 2 HD, but that model isn’t sold everywhere and if you’re just snagging a box to watch some Netflix you probably won’t notice the missing Bluetooth and SD card reader. No matter which model is selected, starting next month viewers will be able to watch HBO Go streaming content on the Roku family of hardware. Cord cutters that have dropped pay TV entirely still don’t have access, but Roku CEO Anthony Wood reports around 80 percent of Roku owners still have cable or satellite. With that in mind, after Roku added Epix and was namechecked by Comcast to the FCC and at conferences, it’s not surprising to see the TV Everywhere movement trying to co-opt the box for its own ends. Expect more content announcements from Roku going forward, including more gaming options — Angry Birds 2 alone is one of the most used channels already — and even more authenticated streaming as the cable and satellite players extend their reach onto other platforms.

Continue reading Roku announces $50 LT model, will add HBO Go streaming to all of its boxes this month

Roku announces $50 LT model, will add HBO Go streaming to all of its boxes this month originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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After a tumultuous week in tech we’re back — but Qwikster isn’t. Of course we’re giving our two cents on Netflix’s stunning reversal, but there’s also plenty of non-streaming news too. The newest TiVo DVR is out and about, while DirecTV is also ready to show off its Nomad and HR34 boxes. Microsoft has enhanced the Xbox 360′s capabilities with a few new partnerships, while Comcast previews the future of pay-TV with its latest moves. The dawn of Ultraviolet is finally upon us, so are we excited about the possibility of buy once play anywhere? Find out the answer to this question and many more when you press play below.

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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh (@bjdraw), Richard Lawler (@rjcc)

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04:45 – Netflix backtracks on Qwikster, will keep DVDs and streaming under the same URL
13:20 – TiVo Premiere Elite now available, but is updated software the big surprise?
22:37 – DirecTV Nomad is ready to launch, transcodes DVRed shows for mobile viewing
31:40 – DirecTV’s five tuner, RVU-ready HR34 DVR revealed
38:10 – Microsoft reveals new TV providers including Verizon and Comcast coming to Xbox 360 (video)
44:25 – U-verse on Xbox 360 is getting upgraded in November, but will require XBL Gold
47:13 – Comcast testing pay-per-package, still afraid of a-la-carte
49:55 – Comcast promises Xfinity VOD streaming on more devices, new Xcalibur guide in 2012
54:41 – CinemaNow strikes deal with Intel, adds new movies in 1080p HD
55:30 – UltraViolet ‘digital locker’ opens for business. Lets you buy once, play anywhere… eventually
01:02:05 – Must See HDTV (October 10th – 16th)

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Engadget HD Podcast 269 – 10.11.2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Netflix Contrition Tour 2011 continues today, as the company announced today that it won’t be spinning off DVD-by-mail rentals into a new company called Qwikster. While the plan for DVD operations to be separated internally appears to still be under way (no word yet on the promised videogame rental option), for customers things will stay the same, with one login and one website. While the retreat will probably prompt even more speculation about the company’s true plans, CEO Reed Hastings has issued yet another apology to customers, admitting Netflix may have moved too fast this time.

Another sticky issue that’s not so easily dealt with is the recent pricing change that took effect last month. While many speculated at the time about what percentage of customers would see higher prices as a result, spokesperson Steve Swasey reveals it affected about half of the company’s subscribers. For the rest who had signed up for the $7.99-streaming only package (an option selected by the overwhelming majority in the quarter before the change) prices didn’t go up at all. We have our own ideas about what the pricing should be, but it seems Netflix has finally realized not all customers got the message that it’s a streaming company now, and tacking DVDs onto its new primary offering for only $2 extra just didn’t work. Since all that uproar Netflix has announced a few new / expanded content deals for its streaming service, with Discovery and exclusive rights to previous seasons of The Walking Dead from AMC. But with renewed competition from the likes of Blockbuster and Amazon only time will tell if it can do enough to stop the subscriber bleeding. The Netflix Q3 earnings report is due October 24th — think that will be an interesting call to listen in on?

Continue reading Netflix backtracks on Qwikster, will keep DVDs and streaming under the same URL

Netflix backtracks on Qwikster, will keep DVDs and streaming under the same URL originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Don’t expect Comcast to stop its Xfinity VOD streaming to the living room rollout with just the Xbox 360 this Christmas, as executive Sam Schwartz promised during a CTAM panel that it plans to develop apps for the PS3, Wii, Roku and other connected TV platforms. Multichannel News reports it doesn’t plan to roll out streaming to as many platforms as Netflix, so we’ll have to wait and see where this initial venture into IPTV stops. Think big cable is scared of over the top services? Maybe not yet, since Comcast claims Netflix subscribers tend to be the most voracious users of its VOD. Also in Comcast’s future is its completely revamped Xcalibur guide software with internet and social media tie-ins (check out our early sneak peek here), which Schwartz reiterated would be available nationwide at some point next year.

Comcast promises Xfinity VOD streaming on more devices, new Xcalibur guide in 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The latest addition to the WD TV Live family has been announced, and this micro sized 802.11n WiFi-equipped, internal storage-lacking streamer that supports the latest version of its UI, as seen in the already available WDTV Live Hub. Also new to these two boxes is support for Spotify, bringing up to 320kbps music streaming to the living room along with a newly supported video service, Dailymotion added to the existing list (Netflix, Hulu Plus, YouTube, Facebook etc.) and extensive local media playback options. The new WDTV Live is available for $99, check after a break for a pic of the box itself and the press release with all the details.

Continue reading Spotify streaming hits the living room on the latest $99 WDTV Live, WDTV Live Hub

Spotify streaming hits the living room on the latest $99 WDTV Live, WDTV Live Hub originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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