For anyone following the current Netflix debacle, it has become clear that something is a awry at the offices of the “golden company”. To most of us watching from afar the decision process with Netflix seems less planned and more panic after their monstrous stock drop and million plus customer loss. With blood in the water it was only a matter of time before someone took a stab at creating a product to wrestle away the attention of the media hungry masses.
Judging by the announcements this morning shown on CNET, and The Washington Post. I’d say we’re in for a new streaming service that can hopefully compete with Netflix. Dish Network sent out invites to their “Stream Come True” event that airs at 10:00 am PT. Using their ownership of Blockbusters media assets they are rumored to begin offering direct streaming of their content to current Dish customers, which then may blossom into a full service streaming program.
Dish Network may be able to use their already active connection to gain easier relationships with companies like Time Warner and the other cable giants, as well as Starzz, HBO, and other premium providers. The biggest worry I have is will the new service be sold a la carte like current cable packages, or will we see a nice flat rate to access the content of our choice. With Dish already being so involved in the cable/satellite distribution market I don’t know if I have faith that they’ll care to match the value proposition that we have been enjoying through Netflix as customers.
Check back later today to find out if our media golden age is coming to an abrupt end or blossoming into a fruitful future.