netflix

Netflix brings 3D, 'Super HD' video to some customers

After months of rumors, Netflix has finally announced a "Super HD" streaming option as well as a handful of 3D additions to its video library. Super HD is Netflix's higher-quality version of its standard 1080p HD format.

But there's a catch: Only Netflix customers who are signed up with ISPs that use Netflix's Open Connect network will have access to both Super HD and the new 3D titles. Netflix debuted Open Connect in June, saying it could lower costs and improve content delivery.

"Leading-edge ISPs around the world such as Cablevision, Virgin Media, British … Read more

AT&T takes on Netflix, Hulu with own VOD service

LAS VEGAS--AT&T today unveiled a new video-on-demand service for its U-Verse TV offering amid the rising threat of companies such as Netflix.

As more consumers consider dropping their cable TV in lieu of Web-based alternatives, including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, AT&T said today that it is offering the U-Verse Screen Pack for $5 a month, available only to its U-Verse customers. It will allow users to access a library of 1,500 movies from their TV, computer, or wireless devices.

Existing U-Verse TV customers will get a free preview of Screen Pack between January 7 … Read more

Warner Bros. to bring 'Revolution,' 'Fringe' to Netflix

Netflix and Warner Bros. have signed a deal that will deliver several popular shows to the streaming service.

The companies announced today that they have signed a deal that will see several Warner Bros. Television Group shows make their way to Netflix, including "Revolution," "Fringe," "The West Wing," and "666 Park Avenue." According to the companies, Netflix will be the exclusive online home to complete prior seasons of the shows.

All told, eight shows are included in the deal, but in the future, more could be added.

Time Warner, which owns Warner … Read more

HBO renews Universal film deal, one less studio for Netflix

HBO has locked up the pay-TV rights for films from Universal Pictures, one of the top six Hollywood film studios, the company's said today.

HBO, owned by Time Warner, and Comcast-controlled Universal, said they extended their licensing agreement into the next decade. HBO will continue to own exclusive access to the movies during the pay-TV window -- the period that begins after movies are made available for sale on download and discs.

The deal limits Netflix's ability to land another big licensing agreement similar to the one it entered into with Disney late last year. A month ago, … Read more

Hulu CEO finally announces his departure

Jason Kilar, the much respected CEO of Hulu, the video service owned by three of the top TV networks, said today he will resign sometime before April.

"What is an understatement," Kilar wrote on the company's blog, "this email has proven difficult for me to both write and send. I've decided to depart Hulu in Q1. I am currently working with the Board to ensure there is ample runway to manage this transition."

Kilar said that Rich Tom, the company's CTO, will leave at the same time. Hulu is owned by NBC Universal, … Read more

'Dance Moms,' other A&E shows waltz onto Amazon Prime

People seeking their favorite A&E shows -- like "Storage Wars" or "Dance Moms" -- can now watch them via Amazon's video streaming service.

The Web giant today said it has reached a content licensing agreement with A+E Networks, which owns the A&E, Bio, History, and Lifetime channels. Under the agreement, prior seasons of popular shows will be added to Amazon's Prime Instant Video service.

Amazon has been rapidly expanding its streaming service to compete with Netflix, Hulu, and other rivals. The service originally was only available to the company'… Read more

In search of the perfect, diaper-free gadget trade-in box

Shortly after its rebranding in 2008, year-old gadget trade-in service Gazelle had a problem.

People were sending in diapers.

Not used diapers, of course. But after agreeing to send the company their old smartphone in return for cash, some customers were eschewing typical pack,aging materials in favor of whatever was in their house. As it turned out, this could be spare diapers, worn-out shoes and even pillows.

Why was this happening? The service, which buys used gadgets then sells them off to third-parties, was giving customers U.S. Postal Service shipping boxes and an envelope. People took one look … Read more

Amazon apologizes for Netflix's Christmas Eve streaming outage

Amazon has posted an apology for a disruption in its cloud services that hobbled Netflix's streaming services on Christmas Eve and said it is taking steps to prevent future disruptions.

Although Amazon's explanation of the outage didn't identify Netflix by name, the streaming service blamed Amazon Web Services last week for an outage that affected "many but not all devices" across the Americas.

"We want to apologize," Seattle-based Amazon said in its statement. "We know how critical our services are to our customers' businesses, and we know this disruption came at an … Read more

Netflix doubles down on CEO Reed Hastings' pay package

Netflix has doubled the compensation package CEO Reed Hastings will receive in 2013 over the current year, the streaming and video rental company revealed today in a regulatory filing.

Hastings will receive $2 million in salary and another $2 million in compensation through stock options, according to a document filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The increase is a significant pay bump over 2012, when Hastings received $500,000 in salary and $1.5 million in stock options.

The compensation increase would seem to represent renewed confidence in Hastings, whose stock option allowance was reduced in December … Read more