Netflix getting desperate?

[mikkh]

Netflix's latest attempt to woo back customers is a with ads option for a fiver.

It seems counterproductive to me and more than a little desperate. Having to suffer adverts is a huge negative and I would want at least half price to even consider it.

I used to have my own subscription and quite enjoyed it for a while, but also felt under pressure to get my moneys worth by watching it a lot.

Then I discovered the joys of using a friends/family spare device for free which was much better because I could ignore it for days and not worry about wasting money.

Netflix began clamping down on this, coupled with people tightening their belts and quitting Netflix altogether (or so they said - I'll remember who my real friends are!)

Will I be tempted back for a fiver? Probably not, I'd rather pay the extra for no adverts. Or get better friends ;o

[jazzazz]

I have had Netflix for maybe 10+ yrs. love it and see it as the best streamer site out there with the most content, however on that last increase, I had enough and looked into their BASIC 1 set plan, learning that even though in comparing plans that they do not have "HD" checked for that basic $9.99 plan, turns out to be a LIE, others saying (While GOOGLING) that the PIC looks great and it does. One can hardly notice the difference.

If anything, it may be like comparing 1080P to 720P, or A BlueRay disc to a regular DVD, either that or my 55" Samsung QLED does an awesome job upconcerting. But IMO, if Netflix has been lying about that, there ought to be a, "Class Action," law suit, because believing it is not "HD," I have wasted more than $600 over that time period in my estimation.

[mikkh]

According to a site I've just been looking at, you have to sit less than 4.2 feet away from a 65 inch TV or 3.6 feet away from a 55 inch TV to see all the detail in 4K.

Unless you're in a tiny room, that seems very much against the norm and not very practical.
I'm 6 feet away from my much smaller (HD) TV, but invariably watch most TV in my kitchen on my computer monitor (27 inch) from about 3 feet away.

I think a lot of people convince themselves that 4K is much better quality, when in reality there's very little difference - to my eyes anyway.
I've walked round TV shops and been underwhelmed by the difference between 1080p and 4K sets. And I think anyone considering 8K (from 4K) is looking for pose value rather than noticeable better quality.

If I'm streaming stuff I always ignore the HD (and higher) and go straight for SD.

[jazzazz]

Oh my Eyeballs can not stand SD. It drives them nuts, LOL, but some SD stations actually do a better job than others.

I watch a lot of Westerns, (On INSP and MeTV channels) here across the Pond, mostly early 60s TV shows and a movie or two over the weekend (Also older Westerns), and my 55" Samsung QLED, transforms even an older Black & White program, to where it ALMOST looks like 3D with actual depth to the backgrounds, etc.

When I watch a program like, "Seal Team," and they are in the air moving or in a battle scene, I feels like I am there, moving with them, a scene way up in the air, can make me queazy, due to my fear of heights. Never had that, while in the Navy spending a lot of time on top of the SAIL of an FBM Submarine, stationed in Rota, Spain. But then after getting out and getting a job with our local monopoly Telco, I fell off a Pole in pole climbing school from around 15' and could never shake it :-)

By the weay, from my TV viewing recliner, I am around 11' from that TV.

[jazzazz]

P.S. Watching a Cop show like, "Blue Bloods," when they are chasing a PERP down the street, I feel like I am in the scene running with them. I have never seen a TV PIC like this set. Many scenes are so clear/vivid, it is like I am looking through a window, really.

Our TV carrier is DishNet.

[mikkh]

I decided to try the 'with ads' version and the ad breaks aren't too painful. A lot are just 30 seconds and occasionally they'll put several together.

Some content is restricted and unavailable because of licensing issues - not allowed to edit them (without paying) I presume?

Shorter half hour shows are mostly unaffected, with adverts only appearing after each episode if you're binge watching several at a time.

As part of the setup process you're asked to pick 3 things you like from a choice of about a dozen, to try and pigeon hole you and make suggestions more relevant.

I don't like this intrusion or being pointed in a certain direction. I'm quite capable of looking myself at what's on offer and making my own decisions.

I wouldn't mind so much if it actually worked, but suggesting I watch Mary Poppins because I liked Breaking Bad is ludicrous and definitely wrong!

For £1.25 a week it's good value, especially for people like me who just stream stuff on their PC and let the TV gather dust in another room.

[jazzazz]

Jan 8, 2023 10:03:21 GMT mikkh said:

I decided to try the 'with ads' version and the ad breaks aren't too painful. A lot are just 30 seconds and occasionally they'll put several together.

Some content is restricted and unavailable because of licensing issues - not allowed to edit them (without paying) I presume?

Shorter half hour shows are mostly unaffected, with adverts only appearing after each episode if you're binge watching several at a time.

As part of the setup process you're asked to pick 3 things you like from a choice of about a dozen, to try and pigeon hole you and make suggestions more relevant.

I don't like this intrusion or being pointed in a certain direction. I'm quite capable of looking myself at what's on offer and making my own decisions.

I wouldn't mind so much if it actually worked, but suggesting I watch Mary Poppins because I liked Breaking Bad is ludicrous and definitely wrong!

For £1.25 a week it's good value, especially for people like me who just stream stuff on their PC and let the TV gather dust in another room.

[jazzazz]

Nov 3, 2022 20:57:02 GMT mikkh said:

Netflix's latest attempt to woo back customers is a with ads option for a fiver.

It seems counterproductive to me and more than a little desperate. Having to suffer adverts is a huge negative and I would want at least half price to even consider it.

I used to have my own subscription and quite enjoyed it for a while, but also felt under pressure to get my moneys worth by watching it a lot.

Then I discovered the joys of using a friends/family spare device for free which was much better because I could ignore it for days and not worry about wasting money.

Netflix began clamping down on this, coupled with people tightening their belts and quitting Netflix altogether (or so they said - I'll remember who my real friends are!)

Will I be tempted back for a fiver? Probably not, I'd rather pay the extra for no adverts. Or get better friends


The last time they upped their rate, $3.00 USD, to $15.49, I went to their BASIC, $9.99 plan (No commercials, but only one set, fine for just my Wife & I). And after doing some research, I learned that they either lie about their BASIC plan not being, "HD," or my Samsung QLED 55" set does an outstanding job unconverting, because it looks just fine, as well as it did, maybe like 1080P VS 720P or a BlueRay VS DVD, can hardly tell. Anyway switching to BASIC saved me $5.50/Mo USD, and NO ADs, IMO, is the WAY TO GO :-)

[mikkh]

I'll probably upgrade to basic. i can live with adverts but restricted content is frustrating, especially when they show you what you're missing!