The leading online video streaming service has killed a product that should have never been born.
Proving that even a behemoth company like Netflix can sometimes be pressured to change its ways, the online giant has backtracked on splitting its instant streaming platform and its DVD-by-mail platform.
Netflix had planned to make anyone who wanted to continue to receive DVDs in the mail sign up for a new account on a website called Qwikster, but all the terms and conditions would remain the same.
But to many customers, it was seen as forcing them into an unnecessary hassle and they did not like the idea of having to manage two separate accounts for something that used to require only one.
Netflix has heard the outrage and, despite first ignoring it, decided to axe those previous plans.
The company issued a statement which reads, “Consumers value the simplicity Netflix has always offered and we respect that. There is a difference between moving quickly – which Netflix has done very well for years – and moving too fast, which is what we did in this case.”
What will not change is the price increase for customers who continue to use both instant streaming and DVDs by mail. It’s predicted that Netflix will lose as many as one million customers from the increase, including existing ones who cancel their accounts and potential prospects who will not sign up due to the new price.
