Netflix CEO Announces Qwikster Split and Creates New PR Blunder

Reed Hastings, Co-Founder and CEO, Netflix, sends an email to Customers showing HE still doesnt get it. His email read: “I should have personally given you a full explanation of why we are splitting the services and thereby increasing prices. It wouldn’t have changed the price increase, but it would have been the right thing to do.” Respectfully, Reed THE PRICE HIKE is the PROBLEM. NOT that you didnt give us a PR spin first. When I get prison sexed against my will, SWEET talking doesnt make it go better. Users feel betrayed after Blockbusters stores finally liquidate you seem to take advantage of it on consumers? My increase notice came a week after 2 local Blockbusters closed shop.

Also a new company? If this isnt to help Netflix provide more freedom from its contracts its the dumbest idea I’ve ever hear liquidating Netflix’s Brand? Now I’ll have 2 bills and websites? ugh. Look heres the problem that compounds the price hike. The Instant selection on Netflix is utter crap. The only new movies seem to be ones that bombed at the box office and movies few people liked. If you had a better selection the price hike wouldve gone easier. Splitting the company helps you do something better? Now I’ll have 2 websites to goto, 2 bills and in the end I’m still bent over at the price level that angered everyone in the first place? Heres what consumers hear “Hi, I’m from Netflix. We know you hate and dont find value in our price increase, so we’re pulling a peanut shell game and splitting the company and price in two. You’re still getting screwed on price but it’ll seem by half as much?”

Pull the smart card. Keep it one company. Roll back the price increase on old users. On new users charge them more. Get the instant fixed ASAP. At this point Hulu Plus even more awesome. Splitting up the company makes about as much sense as Apple splitting itself up to sell IOS separately from Macs.

Qwikster is name of Netflix’s newest blunder. It evidently refers to all the people speedily unsubscribing from their service! Congratulations, Netflix I just unsubscribed.

In the meantime, I’m watching my favorite TV shows with Hulu Plus and thought you’d enjoy it. Sign up & get 2 weeks free! http://hulu.com/

The Oatmeal.com did a super funny infograph on this – check it out: Oatmeal.com

To see the Netflix CEO email click: Netflix