Comments on: Who gets Starz digital rights now? Probably no one

By: FarmerBob

FarmerBob — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 23:03:24 +0000

With all the stuff Echostar/DISH is buying that would suit Starz, I wouldn’t be surprised if the two of them didn’t get in bed. Since live practically next door to each other. I think we’re in for some surprises.

By: Ryan Lawler

Ryan Lawler — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 18:57:55 +0000

David, totally agree with you. I predicted the other day on twitter that the vast majority of Netflix users probably won’t notice when the Starz content disappears, and I stand by that. They’ll just be recommended something else instead.

By: David H. Deans

David H. Deans — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 21:57:09 +0000

Ryan, maybe the people who are making the most fuss about this news aren’t Netflix subscribers, or they simply don’t understand the business model. Frankly, I don’t see this parting as a big deal — either for Starz or Netflix.

Regardless, traditional media execs can learn something important from this scenario. Netflix subscribers have no affinity to “channels” per se — it’s a platform that enables people to feed their eclectic interests in video content (regardless of source).

Perhaps this is why on-demand movie offerings at cable MSOs has had such low adoption — the all-inclusive subscription model of content consumption changes consumer perception of value (what they like to view, and what they’re prepared to pay for). The loss of one source is therefore a non-event.

By: person287

person287 — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:59:55 +0000

I really don’t get the possible benefit for starz. By doing this they’ve effectively lost $300 million and pissed off a lot of customers.
Netflix did all they could, and I think they seem like they’re looking out for the best for the customer.
Businesses can sometimes be total ****s (guess what that means)!

By: Elgarak

Elgarak — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:39:20 +0000

One problem: viewers are increasingly fed up with cable TV. We don’t like to pay a monthly bill that gives us a feeling paying for channels we never ever watch, we don’t like advertisement, we don’t like fixed schedules.

I don’t have cable, TV, that is. I get my stuff from iTunes or Netflix. If the content I want is not there, don’t ever believe I would sign up for cable TV. There are cheaper ways to get it, which is even less cumbersome than cable TV.

By: Erik Schwartz

Erik Schwartz — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:26:54 +0000

The other question is how long did Starz streaming rights run? Starz deal with Sony ran out last year and Sony Pictures disappeared from Starz. Starz probably negotiated for online streaming rights back when there was little market for streaming. They probably got them thrown in with the broadcast rights.

Starz won’t get that deal again.

Netflix will never see a streaming library of the size of Starz again for $25M over 4 years. Netflix is going to have to start writing some really big checks.

By: joe patel

joe patel — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 09:51:49 +0000

Everyone knows that the neflix model doesn’t work. At the end of the day, it will be like a cable channel instead of being a the go to place for all you want to watch.