Hacking NetFlix

Netflix Updates Free iPad, iPhone & iPod Touch App

Netflix again updated the free iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch app with several key changes, as announced on the Netflix blog. The changes include:

• A look and feel more consistent with the Netflix browse experience in our mobile applications 
• Larger, more separated play controls appropriate for how people use these devices 
• Better exploration during video play with thumbnail images on the scrub bar 
• Easy access for audio/subtitles settings and other existing player features 
• In Canada we also added easier "do not share" capability for Facebook-connected members

The most important change is allowing the user to select only WIFI streaming to prevent cellular data usage.

Interesting Earrings Made From Netflix Envelopes

I've seen some interesting things done with Netflix envelopes (Netflix origami, for example), but these Netflix envelope earrings are a really creative use of the part of the envelope that is usually discarded.

via Netflix on Twitter.

Netflix Ready for IPv6 Launch on June 8th, 2012

Josh Evans, Netflix's director of streaming infrastructure, announced on the Netflix Tech Blog that Netflix is ready for the upcoming IPv6 launch on June 8th.

As you may know, the world is quickly running out of available IPv4 addresses. Some basic math highlights why. IPv4 addresses are limited to a 32-bit address space. This means that there are roughly 4 billion possible addresses on the internet. To put this into perspective, there were roughly 7 billion people on the planet in 2011. This equates to less than one IP address per person, which is not sufficient for the needs of a global internet community and supporting infrastructure.

Enter IPv6, the next-generation Internet protocol, which has a 128-bit address space. This equates to ~4.8×1028 addresses for each of those seven billion people alive in 2011. This is more than enough for you to have IP addresses for your computer, mobile phone, connected TV, refrigerator, toaster, and coffee maker with room to spare.

Evans notes that Netflix customers don't have to do anything to prepare for IPv6, and they'll soon share technical details of the rollout.

Netflix & Relativity Media Face Lawsuit Over 'Atlas Shrugged'

Deadline.com reports that Netflix & Relativity Media have been sued over license fees for the movie 'Atlas Shrugged: Part 1.' 

Atlas accuses the companies of breach of contract and failure to pay $1.5 million in license fees in connection with post-theatrical distribution of Atlas Shrugged: Part 1including video on demand on Netflix. Atlas Productions says that despite demands for two separate payments of $750,000, no payment has been made. A separate part of the suit accuses Netflix of copyright infringement. Atlas seeks $1.5 million plus interest plus unspecified general damages as well as court costs and any further relief the court deems appropriate for breach of contract plus additional damages on other causes of action including copyright infringement by Netflix.

A copy of the filing is available on the Deadline.com website. 

Amazon Rolls Out Xbox 360 App with Watchlist; Amazon & LoveFilm Add More Titles

Amazon continues to add device support and has launched an Xbox 360 streaming app with Whispersync syncing between devices, and a "Watchlist" feature, similar to Netflix's queue. Amazon also added more Paramount titles including Nacho Libre, Mission Impossible 3, A Clear and Present Danger, and more. [via Engadget and Engadget].

Home Media Magazine reports that Amazon's LoveFilm UK service signed an exclusive streaming deal with Universal for the second pay-TV window:

Universal movies include Kick-Ass, Despicable Me, American Reunion, Battleship, Senna, It’s Complicated, Nanny McPhee Returns, Leap Year, Green Zone, The Wolfman, Robin Hood, Scott Pilgrim vs The World, The American, Paul, Fast And Furious 5, Bridesmaids, Johnny English Reborn, Snow White and the Huntsman, Bourne Legacy, Dr Seuss: The Lorax and Safe House, among others.

Tidbit from the story: LoveFilm has more than 2 million streaming customers and more than 100,000 titles in the first pay-TV window. 

Netflix New Releases for May 29th, 2012

Here's the full list of new DVD releases this week (detailed list): Man on a Ledge, Coriolanus, Goon, Flicka 3, Hello Lonesome, We Need to Talk About Kevin, 96 Minutes, Gone, The Aggression Scale, Sing Your Song, Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston, and UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson. 

Interesting streaming releases include Henry's Crime, Mob Wives, new episodes of Jersey Shore, new episodes of Bridezillas, new episodes of Punkin Chunkin', Tripping Forward, Jack's Back, Red Team, The Serpent's Kiss, Fambul Tok, Classic Albums: The Who: Who's Next, Classic Albums: Elvis Presley, and Classic Albums: Elton John: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

Netflix TiVo Update: Netflix (& YouTube) May Not be Available for up to 6 Hours

If you're finally getting the TiVo Netflix update installed, be aware that you might have to wait for up to 6 hours after the update to access Netflix. TiVo posted a notice about the update on the TiVo support page:

Announcements & alerts

TiVo Premiere customers: After upgrading to software version 20.2.1.1, you may not be able to access Netflix or YouTube for up to six hours. For more information, please visit the following troubleshooting articles: YouTube on TiVo and Netflix on TiVo boxes.

Thanks to Robyn for sending this in.

What Are You Watching on DVD or Streaming This Holiday Weekend?

I'm wondering what you're watching this holiday weekend on DVD or streaming (I'm always interested in something new to watch). 

Paste Magazine posted a list of the top 50 titles on Netflix streaming, and some of the titles that stand out includeThe Bicycle Thief, Chariots of Fire, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Drive, Whale Rider, True Grit, The Big Lebowski, Waiting for "Superman", Brokeback Mountain, Good Will Hunting, The Last Emperor, Memento, The Constant Gardener, Donnie Darko, Winter's Bone, Snatch, and Metropolis Restored.

via the Unofficial Netflix Streaming blog.

Does Netflix Need More 3rd Party Applications?

Netflix has had a developer API for years, and a number of developers have created interesting applications like InstantWatcher and Feedfliks (you can view a directory of apps at http://developer.netflix.com/api_gallery). Hamish McKenzie from PandoDaily thinks Netflix needs more applications, like Spotify:

Spotify’s real killer play – just like Facebook’s – is that it is a platform for third-party apps that dramatically improve the experience.

That is what Netflix is missing.

Netflix already promotes third-party apps, but they all live outside the Netflix platform. Users have to download them and add them to whatever device they’re using to view Netflix content. That’s fine, but casual users like me are never going to go to that effort. And, to be honest, I only found out about those apps through doing research for this post.

Did you know Netflix had 3rd party apps? What type of Netflix application would you like to see?

Netflix Enhances Video Streaming & Fixes Bugs on Android App

Netflix updated the Android client, and the release notes say the update enhances playback on phones & tablets, improves stability and fixes bugs.

Netflix also posted manual update installation instructions with a link to the APK file:

If you are having problems updating your application, you can update your device manually by opening your mobile browser and going to this URL: http://tinyurl.com/nflx180

Once the application is downloaded please tap on it and follow the instructions to install this application. In some cases you may have to allow applications from untrusted sources to be installed.

via Android Community.

Netflix Co-Founder Marc Randolf Joins Getable Board

TechCrunch reports that Netflix co-founder Marc Randolf has joined the board of Getable.

That’s why the startup is today announcing that Marc Randolph, the co-founder and visionary behind Netflix will be joining Templeton and Collaborative Fund Founder Craig Shapiro on the startup’s board of directors.

Obviously, this will not be Randolph’s first experience with online rental platforms, having been at least partially responsible for the video rental industry moving online, much to Blockbuster’s chagrin. He also currently serves on the board of BookRenter.com and has invested in P2P car rental marketplace, Getaround.

“The idea of shared access is a concept I first embraced at Netflix,” Randolph said in a statement.“I’ve since had the chance to deepen this commitment through my involvement with Getaround, BookRenter, and Quintess. Getable brings the same kind of access to consumer products, everything from tuxedos and power tools to sporting goods. Moving a traditionally offline industry online is always an exciting challenge.”

Company That Narrowly Lost The Netflix Prize Contest Now Doing $100 Million Per Year

Business Insider reports that Opera Solutions, the company that narrowly lost the Netflix Prize contest is using the recommendation technology they developed for the contest to generate more than $100 million in revenue.

The scientists came up with a great recommendation engine for Netflix. Their tech tied for first place with another teams' -- and that other team submitted theirs 20 minutes earlier and took the prize. So Opera put their scientists to work creating Netflix-like algorithms for things that other businesses need: fraud detection, marketing, stock picking, risk management, procurement, etc.

Netflix Promotes Holland & Ropell in Content Roles

Netflix announced the promotion of two execs: Cindy Holland to VP of Original Content, and Jason Ropell, VP of Content Acquisition to handle TV licensing for the U.S. market.

"Cindy has worked closely on every aspect of our original series launches. Given how important originals are to our future success, we are thrilled to have her in this position," said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. "We are also delighted to give Jason an important role in our biggest market.  As head of our Latin American and Canadian acquisition teams over the last year, he's skillfully managed the growth of those businesses."

Netflix New Releases for May 22nd, 2012

New Netflix DVD releases this week include (detailed list): The Woman in Black, Contraband, The Secret World of Arrietty, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Pariah, Perfect Sense, Newlyweds, Black Cobra, Beyond, Carol Channing: Larger Than Life, All Inclusive, Certified Copy, and The First Beautiful Thing.

Interesting streaming releases include: Drive, Dawson's Creek, London Boulevard, Severe Clear, Man on a Mission: Richard Garriott's Road to the Stars, He Was a Quiet Man, Windfall, Dragonslayer, Something Ventured, Ethos, and Heckler.

Netflix Updates Web Player App for Windows & Mac

Michael Spiegelman, Netflix's director of product innovation for the Website and Tablet, announced on the company blog that they updated the web player for Windows and the Mac. 

• The size of the controls now scales, making it easier to use the player on large screens, for example if you connect your computer to your TV
• Similarly, the player will scale down to smaller windows, which is useful if you want to watch something while working in another window.  Also, the video now stretches to the full window in the browser
• Full screen mode now has all the features of browser mode so you can view season/episode information and change to the next episode when watching a TV show
• Pausing the video now shows more information about the title

Spiegelman also posted an image to explain the new icons (see large size).

What do you think of the changes?

Netflix's Ex-VP of Communications Steve Swasey Lands at Kabam

Netflix's ex-VP of Communications Steve Swasey announced that he has joined online gaming company Kabam.

After seven extraordinary years at Netflix, during which time we built the brand to become an iconic household name, I've accepted the position of Vice President of Corporate Communications at a young company you may not know -- but soon will.  Kabam is a leader in free-to-play online games for serious players.  As Kabam is based in the Bay Area, I'm sticking to my California roots and not relocating as I would have for some of the other companies I was considering. 

In many ways, Kabam reminds me of a very young Netflix.  It's populated with incredibly smart and passionate people, including the co-founder CEO, who have a vision for changing consumer behavior through the internet.  Further, Kabam already has a strong and growing international customer base. 

Copyright Warnings on Movies & TV Shows are about to Get Really Annoying

ArsTechnica reports that there will now be two unskippable piracy notices on DVD's and Blu-ray discs, even if we PAY for the discs. 

The idea isn't to deter current pirates, apparently (the new scheme requires all legal purchasers to sit through 20 seconds of warnings each time they pop in a film, but will be totally absent from pirated downloads and bootlegs). It's to educate everyone else. As ICE Director John Morton announced in a statement yesterday, "Law enforcement must continue to expand how it combats criminal activity; public awareness and education are a critical part of that effort."

This is almost as annoying as that loud piracy commercial they used to ship on discs.

I'm wondering if the new notices will drive more people to piracy. 

Dan Rayburn's Streaming Device Comparison Chart

Dan Rayburn at the StreamingMeidaBlog has put together a comparison chart of the popular streaming devices including the Apple TV, Boxee, Roku, Tivo, Sony, Vizio and more (PDF).

Netflix CFO David Wells: We'll Introduce Multi-Stream Plan Later This Year

Netflix CFO David Wells, speaking at the 40th Annual J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media & Telecom Conference, said that Netflix will offer a multi-stream plan later this year. While the majority of Netflix streaming occurs on a home television, Wells said they are seeing more streaming on iPads, tablets and in other rooms of a household. While Netflix knows when you're watching as opposed to your spouse or kids, when Netflix personalizes the experience and and offers mutliple streams, "...you could see a family-level household membership."

Wells said that a DVR full of Sponge Bob is more of a threat to Nickelodeon, and it doesn't come with Netflix's revenue model.  

Regarding Qwikster, Wells said that the "..the brand hit will take years to recover from, with the bulk of the recovery coming in the first year." He noted that about one-third of all signups are people coming back to the service.

A recording of the talk is available on the Netflix investor website.

Thanks to FearNo1 for sending this in, also via Home Media Magazine.

Netflix Eliminates Streaming Title Expiration Dates from API

Several readers have reported that Netflix stopped showing expiration dates for Netflix streaming titles, and the Feedfliks blog confirmed the change:

Until now, the API provided the exact expiry dates but Netflix has now made the decision to *not* provide the exact expiry dates unless a title is expiring in the next two weeks. For all other titles, Netflix will show a far-out, made-up date irrespective of whether it expires 3 weeks out or 6 months out. On FeedFliks, we are representing this far-out date with 1st Jan 2025 which explains why 95% of your Instant Queue titles seem to expire on that exact date.

We hear all of you writing in and expressing frustration at this loss of information that was previously available. We’ve checked with the API folks and they have communicated that this is a done decision for now. We’re as disappointed as you all but this is now beyond our availability to influence. We’ve tried. To get in touch with Netflix’s Customer Service, please call 866-716-0414.

Thanks to Splarka, Kyle, Matt, and everyone else for sending this in.

Netflix VP of Corporate Communications Steve Swasey Leaves Netflix

Steve Swasey, VP of Corporate Communications for 7 years at Netflix, has left the company. Netflix did not announce or give a reason for the departure, but a Netflix spokesperson confirmed the change and noted that "Steve has moved on."

HackingNetflix spoke with Swasey earlier, and he would only comment on the record that "All is well." 

It's be interesting to see where Swasey is going. For many years he was the face and voice of Netflix, dealing with issues such as the price increase and Qwikster debacle, and traveling the country giving tours of shipping centers to local press.

via Home Media Magazine.

Netflix New Releases for May 15th, 2012

Here's the full list of new Netflix DVD releases this week (detailed list): One for the Money, Albert Nobbs, Shame, Rampart, Norwegian Wood, Dragonslayer, My Perestroika, We Were Here, Windfall, Kinyarwanda, Michael, My Piece of the Pie, Descendents, The Devil Inside, Barney: Planes, Trains, and Cars, and Chuggington: Wilson and the Ice Cream Fair. 

Interesting streaming releases in the past week include Giallo, Dirty Little Trick, Revolution Green: A True Story of Biodiesel in America, Killer Elite, and The Family Tree.

Netflix to Get Hunger Games This Year & Avengers in 2013

DailyFinance reports that Netflix will stream The Hunger Games this year, and the hit Avengers in 2013.

Rival studio Viacom also shares the joy because its Paramount division owns the domestic distribution rights for The Avengers. That's a lingering side effect of that age-old credit facility deal. And thanks to the Paramount connection, you can bet that The Avengers will show up as a Netflix stream in 2013.

Netflix has an exclusive streaming license with premium cable channel Epix until September. That's when Epix -- a joint venture between Lionsgate, Viacom, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer -- can add other digital services to the distribution slate. The non-exclusive part of the Netflix contract then continues for another three years.

So Netflix gets The Hunger Games this fall and The Avengers next spring. Expect an epic online, TV, and radio blitz of Netflix advertising when these licenses take effect. 

Thanks to Brad for sending this in.

Mercury News Covers Cord Cutters & 1.5 Million Cut the Cord in 2011

Chris O'Brien from the The San Jose Mercury News wrote about his experience in cutting the cord. 

Now came the hard part: Figuring out how to watch all the shows we used to watch. The Panasonic Viera comes with a large selection of apps installed, including Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon. We are longtime Netflix subscribers, so that didn't cost anything extra. We also had Amazon Prime, a $79 annual service that gives you free shipping and access to a modest selection of free "Prime" TV shows and movies.The one addition we made was to subscribe to Hulu Plus for $7.99 a month. This gave us a full library of shows we watch on Fox, NBC and a collection of secondary cable channels. So far, so good.

I also paid $99 to get Apple TV, which allows me to turn the TV into a stereo by streaming our music collection from our PC. I can also download videos right from the iTunes store and mirror content I'm playing on my iPad or iPhone right onto the TV. It's kind of awesome, actually.Mostly, it's been great. But there are a few pitfalls. We have to remember what shows we can find on which service. Even then, there are random headaches. For instance, we're fans of "30 Rock," which is available on Hulu Plus. But when we punched it up the other night, we saw a notice saying "Web only."

In related news paidContent reported that more than 1.5 million people cut the cord in 2011.

In fact, belying several earlier research studies, which said growth of U.S. multi-channel services has slowed significantly but not stopped, Nielsen’s latest “Cross-Platform Report” says the number of U.S. homes paying a multichannel provider for TV services last year actually declined by 1.5 million, or about 1.5 percent.

Subscription gains made by telco providers AT&T and Verizon (about 1.1 million) and satellite service companies DirecTV and Dish (added 280,000 subscribers) could not offset the over 2.9 million subscriptions lost by cable providers, Nielsen reports.

Will 2012 be the year that cord cutting takes off?

Netflix New Releases for May 8th, 2012

Here's the full list of new DVD releases this week (detailed list): The Vow, Underworld: Awakening, Happy Feet Two, Beautiful Wave, Playback, The Shrine, Mother's Day, UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit, Don 2, Hate Story, Reykjavik-Rotterdam, The Front Line, Vicky Donor, Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire, and Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie, 

Interesting streaming releases in the past week include Adaptation, Big Daddy, Blood & Chocolate, Hannibal, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, Cold Comfort Farm, Cruel Intentions, Drugstore Cowboy, Fireproof, High Anxiety, Joe Dirt, Snatch, Not Another Teen Movie, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Kevin Smith: Burn in Hell, The Borrowers, The Addams Family, Stuart Little, Open Season 3, Mouse Hunt, Beethoven's Big Break, and Thomas & Friends: Up, Up and Away.