The Qwikster plan would have called for two passwords, two bills, two separate queues, and looking up every title twice to learn viewing options. Not to mention the fact that Netflix gave the new service an insultingly awful name.
Qwikster will almost certainly be discussed in business school textbooks of the future, where it will be listed alongside New Coke as an infamous example of a company not simply poorly executing a plan, but out-and-out losing its corporate mind.
Thankfully Netflix has listened to unhappy consumers and reversed course.
A Netflix spokesman said this morning, "We underestimated the appeal of the single Web site and a single service. We greatly underestimated it."
Netflix not understanding that its core appeal has centered in large part on customer convenience is perplexing, to say the least.
The company executives were focused on putting the needs of the company ahead of the needs of the consumer, forgetting the very reasons the company became such a success. And beyond the executives' admitted blind spots, didn't Netflix even focus group this new idea? It's hard to believe the idea would have passed muster in a room full of Netflix users.
It will be interesting to follow analysis of the decision as the day goes on, as well as follow consumer comments at the Netflix blog and Hacking Netflix.
Meanwhile, Netflix stock is rising today, after tumbling dramatically in recent weeks.
Previously: Netflix News: Netflix Jumps the Shark?; Netflix News: A Qwikster Roundup.
Hurray! Cuz that whole splitting-things-up was really going to be annoying
ReplyDeleteThank whatever gods may be! It was a lousy idea.
ReplyDeleteI don't think they needed to focus group it. They needed to recognize a bad idea when it was first presented to them. Like you, I think they were putting the needs of the company first and forgot the first rule for getting people to use your product or service- make it as easy as possible for them to do so.
ReplyDeleteI also think their blunder is greater than Coke's blunder since Coco-Cola's reason for coming up with New Coke was to flip Pepsi drinkers over to Coke. Netflix's idea had nothing to do with drawing in new customers and all to do with making life in some way easier for the company. What idiots.
I agree with La Peregrina; this was a dog-stupid idea from the word go and anyone who didn't see that should be perusing want ads tomorrow morning. Steve Jobs used to fire people in the elevator for less than this bonehead move.
ReplyDeleteNetflix has done the right thing, but it may be too late. Who's to say they won't come up with something equally dimwitted next month? I'm certainly reviewing my options, which I'd never have expected, and I'll bet I'm not the only one.