Netflix Killed the DVD Star!

Since its inception in 2007, Netflix has used the Instant Queue feature to bookmark certain DVD’s and is most recently used for remembering streaming movies.

In December 2010, Netflix announced that it is looking at alternative methods for book marking and will ultimately do away with the Instant Queue.
“The queue is optimized to DVD shipping, and we think its a poor vehicle to remember interesting content to stream. We are planning a round of exploration of simpler, more natural “remember” functionality,” says Neil Hunt, Netflix’s chief product officer.
While this may not be a problem for some, others who utilize the queue religiously will have to alter their viewing style quite drastically.
On Netflix’s comments webpage Frank Combs says, “I use instant streaming a lot. I would hate to see that go away. I think a more flexible solution would be good, or something in between what they have now and something new.”
Steward Foss said that, “Netflix in Canada does not have an instant queue. I’ve never used Netflix with it. In my experience it needs something to bookmark videos and TV shows for watching later.”
Change, to many is acceptable, but the level and quantity of change to something so useful is in question.
Foss continues, “I often stumble across a movie that I want to see, but not right now. By the next time I sit down I have forgotten what the movie was and it drives me crazy.”
Following this change is yet another drastic change in protocol; the eventual erasure of all DVD and Blu-Ray discs from service, moving to streaming media only.
Netflix will be offering streaming media for $8 per month, matching rival streaming media outlet Hulu.
This move is designed to move people from disc to streaming, cutting cost for disc storage, personnel and shipping.
One potential problem with this are those living in rural areas are often unable to have streaming media and rely on outlets like Netflix for media entertainment.
Another problem is the limitation on bandwidth.
If everyone in a major metropolitan area switches to streaming media, the demand for bandwidth will be monumental causing a need for stronger, more capable, faster cables and antennas to be installed in all areas of major cities.
In this case what Netflix is doing is changing the face of how people live and connect to the internet and media.
Keeping both streaming and disc options available would be the best way for a business like Netflix to survive, especially in this economy.
According to Sandvine Inc, a bandwidth customer satisfaction company, Netflix accounts for more than 20% of peak traffic to internet users in the U.S.
There is no conceivable business reason Netflix should limit itself to streaming users while shortchanging disc users in the process and voiding itself of all the additional revenue.