Netflix Renames DVD Service, Adds Video Game Rentals
Well, so much for just making the service more expensive. Today Netflix announced that its DVD-only package will no longer be named Netflix, and will instead be called Qwikster. Netflix’s streaming service, however, will continue to be known as Netflix.
On Netflix’s blog, CEO Reed Hastings explained the change saying that “streaming and DVD by mail are becoming two quite different businesses, with very different cost structures, different benefits that need to be marketed differently, and we need to let each grow and operate independently.” Hastings continued to explain that the new name was designed to reflect the quick delivery of the DVDs. However, the new name will also come with a new website, Qwikster.com.
In addition, Netflix will soon add video game rentals, offering games for Microsoft’s XBOX 360, Nintendo’s Wii, and Sony’s Playstation 3. This move is designed to take on Gamefly’s video game rental service. The new video game rental service can be added to a DVD-rental plan for an additional fee.
While it may take a little while to get used to, at least Hastings promised that there will not be any further price increases.
For more on this change, read Netflix’s blog here.
