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Netflix reaches 10 million subscribers

16 February 2009 10:36 by Rich "vurbal" Fiscus | 10 comments

Netflix announced last week that thy passed the 10 million subscriber mark. What's perhaps most remarkable is that more than 600,000 have been added in the first month and a half of this year.

A company statement attributes this primarily to increased interest in their Watch Instantly streaming service. That makes sense considering the role it has played in their recent success and the growing availability of a set-top box from Roku, blu-ray players, game consoles, and even TVs with Netflix clients.

Strong sales of Blu-ray players in the fourth quarter of 2008 may also be attracting more interest.

"Ten million subscribers is a symbolic but meaningful achievement for our company," said Reed Hastings, Netflix co-founder and CEO. "From a subscriber standpoint, Netflix is singularly focused on making movie enjoyment easy, and we'll strive to deliver on that promise in added and improved ways in the years to come."

Permalink to this article | Topics: Blu-ray Online video

Roku to add search function for Amazon VOD (27 March 2009)

Amazon VOD support hits Roku Player (3 March 2009)

Netflix to start streaming-only subscription plans (20 February 2009)

Mitsubishi launches first in-car Blu-ray player (16 February 2009)

Xbox 360 Netflix client reaches 1 million customers (5 February 2009)

Netflix considering premium offering with HBO content? (2 February 2009)

Update: Wal-Mart, Netflix sued again over 'conspiracy to create a monopoly' (1 February 2009)

Streaming video and Blu-ray help Netflix defy recession (27 January 2009)

LG and Vizio to sell Netflix compatible HDTVs (12 January 2009)

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Discuss this article!
Samsunged (Newbie) 16 February 2009 15:44
Yeah, now try getting a new release BD movie from them. Although the customer base has went up, they seem not to order anymore copies per title. [ + quote]
gnovak1 (Junior Member) 16 February 2009 16:58
Their streaming service needs work. The selection is bad and the quality is always bad. It always tells me my internet is too slow so it lowers the quality to something not even watchable. I guess in time it will get better. I'm still waiting. [ + quote]
kubapolak (Junior Member) 16 February 2009 18:19
A while ago I canceled my subscription to scale down, but I am really excited about their on-demand content. I sure with time most of the bugs will be fixed and it will become a pleasurable experience watching those HD movies. [ + quote]
bratcher (Senior Member) 16 February 2009 18:36
I've been a happy Netflix customer over 5 years now. 99% is older movies with a newer release every once in awhile. Recently tried the instant movies option & I like it!! Renting a movie from Netflis is a good way for me to decide which ones should be bought from Amazon for my own collection. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 16 February 2009 18:37
lxhotboy (Member) 17 February 2009 12:11
*Originally posted by gnovak1:* Their streaming service needs work. The selection is bad and the quality is always bad. It always tells me my internet is too slow so it lowers the quality to something not even watchable. I guess in time it will get better. I'm still waiting. I would have to agree on the selection. It will do but they need to work on getting the newest movies ready to stream as soon as they are released on DVD. If you dont have 4 bars on your picture quality it can be pretty bad. I had to upgrade my internet package to allow for faster speeds to even get the full quality picture with the streaming movies. You need at least 2.4Mbps for DVD quality picture and sound. Had the slowdown issues also and i think it had to do with my ISP not being able to handle the demand for bandwith at peak hours. At times i can only get 2.0Mbps but at this time i am getting my peak at 8.0Mbps. I am going to check my speed again at peak hours tonight. ISP shouldnot charge you full price if they can not deliver full bandwith advertised 24h/7days no matter what time of day it is. I use netflix on xbox360 with wireless adapter. I get 4 bars but quality still seems to be slightly below dvd quality though it looks great. Anyone else use netflix on xbox360 with the ethernet instead of wifi? How is your picture quality? [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 17 February 2009 12:13
vballstud (Inactive) 17 February 2009 12:37
This is what I posted on their blog earlier today in regards to this... *Quote:* Great... that just means those of us that have "roughed it" since the beginning are gonna suffer more. Those of us that knew how good the service used to be years ago, will only experience more and more delays in getting movies we want and will get shafted even more while they "butter up" the n00bs. I stream thru my 360 using ethernet. I still get anywhere between 2-4 bars for connectivity. I'll usually start the movie over until I get at least 3 bars. Not great quality on the video at 3 bars, but watchable. They do have Serenity in HD, which I was excited about. Quality was pretty sharp at 3 bars. They don't offer their top new releases. I have seen a few new releases listed, though. Having Netflix streamed is the equivalent of having Starz or Encore. I have no tolerance for idiots... or people that dont know how to use Google. Afterdawns e-Thug [ + quote]
lxhotboy (Member) 17 February 2009 19:44
I figured out my problem is related to ISP not providing adequate bandwith during peak times of the day. I understand things happen but if i pay for 8Meg i should get it. I contacted my ISP b/c today at 530pm here i was only able to get 2.0Mbps. On valentines day during the NBA Allstar events i could only get 1.2Mbps causing me only to have 2 bars on my netflix when trying to watch a movie. Maybe i should get a lawsuit against Suddenlink for false advertising. LMAO If people can sue Mcdonald for hot coffee i should at least get something out of a lawsuit. LOL [ + quote]
bratcher (Senior Member) 17 February 2009 20:16
I get 3 & 4 bars with Houston Comcast for my Netflix instant viewing. The picture looks close to DVD quality even when fullscreen. [ + quote]
rwerner (Newbie) 5 March 2009 13:11
Ya they may be gettin more customers but now you may as well forget about getting any new releases anytime soon from them. I had been a customer of theirs for quite awhile but seeing as their service is useless for anything but old releases that no one else seems to want I quit. [ + quote]
bratcher (Senior Member) 6 March 2009 0:03
*Originally posted by rwerner:* Ya they may be gettin more customers but now you may as well forget about getting any new releases anytime soon from them. I had been a customer of theirs for quite awhile but seeing as their service is useless for anything but old releases that no one else seems to want I quit. Hey, some of us (such as myself) like those old releases!! It would be nice to have newer movies available for instant viewing though. What I don't like is some of the movies I watch expire & are no longer available for instant viewing. [ + quote]