Netflix's Hastings: TV Everywhere Could Pose Major Challenge
Netflix faces growing competition from on-demand streaming businesses such as Amazon and Hulu, but CEO Reed Hastings believes those mark only one principal challenge.
“The bigger competition is likely to be TV Everywhere,” he told investors this week.
So far, cable and satellite operators have had fits and starts in developing robust, content-rich services to offer content anytime, anywhere, anyhow. But once cable/satellite/telco operators can market it along with other products, such as traditional on-demand and DVRs, why would people spend an extra $8 for Netflix?
Hastings says the goal is to get his company's content to be "so unique" that by the time cable can work well on mobile devices, people will already be subscribing to Netflix. He hopes it will be "a real network in the way that, say, HBO is."
Netflix hopes to have success with the recent launch of original series “House of Cards” with Kevin Spacey. In general, with original series, Netflix has advantages similar to those of cable networks over broadcast networks, Hastings indicated. With more than 25 million subscribers, not every new series has to be a big hit; there’s plenty of room for niche appeal, so there is probably no need for series cancellations.
“We’re not programming to the limited shelf space of broadcast television … we think we can do originals at great economic advantage to other people,” he said.
One of the coming new series is a revival of “Arrested Development.” Netflix, however, only plans to offer one season. Netflix can differentiate itself not just with originals, but perhaps by cutting deals with networks for exclusive content that prevents an operator offering it via a TV Everywhere service.
Recent MediaDailyNews Articles
-
Multichannel Video Cos. Register Subscriber Loss, Satellite TV Gains May 22, 10:55 a.m.
For the first time in a year-long period, the biggest multichannel video companies have witnessed a ... -
DPAA Taps Enhanced TV Ad Vet Frey As New Chief May 22, 8:08 a.m.
Barry Frey, a long-time cable and interactive television executive who helped pioneer the field of “enhanced ... -
How Social Is Transforming TV May 21, 5:46 p.m.
Live from OMMA Video, Viacom Media Networks is unveiling its findings from “When Networks Network: TV ... -
Chicago Awards O'Hare Digital Signage Biz To Clear Channel Airports May 21, 4:30 p.m.
The Chicago City Council has awarded Clear Channel Airports a five-year contract, with the option for ... -
(Updated) NDTV Challenges WPP, Tries To Revive Lawsuit In NY May 21, 4:26 p.m.
(Editor's Note: The original version of this story, including the headline failed to note that NDTV's ... -
Horizon Taps Gambelli As Chief Investment Officer May 21, 4:18 p.m.
Former NBC senior advertising sales executive Marianne Gambelli has landed at Horizon Media as its executive ... -
Ad Council Raises Autism Awareness May 21, 3:41 p.m.
The Ad Council has partnered with Autism Speaks and two agencies, BBDONew York and LatinWorks, to ... -
CBS Scores Big Victory In 18-49 Demo May 21, 3:11 p.m.
Just two days before the finish of the TV season, CBS claims a major victory among ... -
TiVo Boosts Revs, Data Efforts May 21, 2:54 p.m.
TiVo made gains for its first-quarter revenue results with higher cable operator subscriptions.The time-shifting and technology ... -
Updated: Out-Of-Home Trading Platform Integrates With Mediaocean, Posterscope Backs Move May 21, 8:07 a.m.
(Editor's Note: Posterscope denies it is backing ADstruc. A Clarification has been published here.) While ...
1 comment on "Netflix's Hastings: TV Everywhere Could Pose Major Challenge".
Leave a Comment