What ever happened to the NetFlix - TIVO deal?

[Courtesy Flush]

They were supposed to team up for downloadable movies. A Google search finds articles saying to expect it to be up by 2005.

I'm tired of getting scratched, cracked, and otherwise unplayable DVDs from NetFlix.

This isn't the technology of the future we're talking about. There's no reason we can't put a movie on our queue and see it the same day.

/rant

[Crazy Dave]

1. iTunes has downloadable movies

I haven't looked into it much or bought any yet. Not sure how many titles they have yet but I did see "Pirates of The Caribbean" for immediate purchase and download.

[Courtesy Flush]

2. Any movie?

I don't want somebody hand-picking four or five movies that I can buy. I want NetFlix without the discs. I want every movie that's been published, and all the HBO series, just like NetFlix, but without the damaged DVDs.

I have a good reason for wanting so much variety. I don't like most movies. I can go to a Blockbuster and not find a single movie worth seeing. So I need a huge catalog in order to find the ones I like. Someone offering the latest hits will not get me as a customer, because I can't stand to look at most of the crap that's coming out of Hollywood.

What I never liked about pay per view was that they had such a limited catalog, and they aired on THEIR schedule. I know the technology exists to choose any title, click "View now", and watch.

I'm guessing there are licensing problems bringing this to a screeching halt. Not technological ones.

[Crazy Dave]

3. From what I've read...

...the licensing issue has been the main obstacle. As far as the selections I'm sure they'll at least be in the thousands. Like yourself, I'm very picky about my movies and my music too. I'd wait a year or two. If it takes off in a big way you can bet Sony, Blockbuster and NetFlix will be soon to follow.

[CBGLuthier]

4. It is just going to take a while

Especially for a rental model to happen.

Amazon offers downloadable movies from most of the studios. But these are at buy it prices.

iTunes offers only the Disney library at this time. Again, at buy it prices.

The real hitch is just nervousness about copying. You rent a movie and it comes to you in digital form just ripe for the hacking.

I am just happy that there is a netflix with a vast library as I too am a picky movie viewer spending most of my time watching old and bscure films.


I honestly will be surprised if a download on demand rental system is here any time in the next five years. At least anything with premium content and at decent quality.