Netflix Streaming: Death of the DVD?
摘譯者：張雅婷
November 24, 2010 - Barry Silverstein
影音串流隨著網路的發展日漸茁壯，百事達的破產以及YouTube的成功有絕大部分都歸因於影音串流的崛起。而Netflix把握時代趨勢以及為了維持競爭優勢，亦推出線上觀賞的服務。儘管線上的影片只有2萬片(DVD的20%)，此舉卻可以幫助Netflix節省大量的成本(物流中心以及寄出與收回的運費)。也因此，除了Hulu之外，其他競爭者如Amazon、Apple、Google等也積極地準備進入這個市場。
As we keep our eye on the video-on-demand world, we can't help but wonder if DVDs will share the fate of all those introductory computer CDs that AOL used to send through the mail years ago, ending up in a landfill somewhere.
If we've learned anything about 2010, it's that streaming is deluging the online world. Streamed video was largely responsible for Blockbuster's bankruptcy and the phenomenal growth of YouTube.
Now, it's rapidly changing the business model of Netflix.
This week, the online video rental company introduced a $7.99 per month online-only version of its service, intended to compete with HuluPlus, also $7.99, the recently launched service from Hulu.
At the same time, Netflix is raising the cost of its DVD rental plans by $1. Clearly, the company is signaling that it is anxious to move its legacy subscribers away from the by-mail DVD system it pioneered to on-demand. In its announcement on Monday, Netflix described itself as "primarily a streaming video company."
Netflix has been preparing for this move for some time, as evidenced by its deal with Epix. Still, it offers far more movies on DVD than it does to "watch instantly," which is the way Netflix positions its on-demand service. The New York Times reports about 20,000 titles are available for streaming — just 20% of the number available on DVD.
But the transition is occurring rapidly and with good reason. The cost savings of streaming is significant, since Netflix spends heavily on distribution centers to house DVDs, postage to mail them to subscribers, and return postage to get them back. While Netflix doesn't currently make streaming devices, it pitches several on its website, including game consoles, streaming players, Blu-ray players, DVRs, and mobile devices.
This is how the company is positioning the new service to existing DVD subscribers:
"Why the changes? Our selection of TV episodes and movies available to stream has grown dramatically, and as a result most members want us to deliver unlimited movies and TV episodes two ways: streaming instantly over the internet plus DVDs by mail. ... The new plan which does not include DVDs, is a great option for the increasing number of members who only want to watch instantly."
In addition to Hulu, Amazon, Apple, Google, and a host of other big players are actively involved in selling streamed video, which is why Netflix is moving aggressively to cement its share of the market.
Next year, look for this stream to turn into a raging river.
出處：Link
