Netflix's Facebook Integration Marks Shift Away From Viewing 'Households'

Interesting stuff on Netflix incorporating Facebook. Makes total sense, think about how many users of Netflix are streaming on the go as opposed to ordering DVDs.

by Gavin O'Malley,


Representing a strategic about-face, Netflix says it is currently baking Facebook into its entire service -- in large part to encourage a segmenting of household accounts into multiple personal accounts.

"We're working on an extensive Facebook integration, which will further the notion of a personal Netflix account," Netflix said in a shareholder letter issued this week.

Netflix accounts have traditionally been affiliated with individual home addresses, but more screens per household -- along with more diverse offerings -- gives Netflix the opportunity to mine households for multiple accounts.

"When we were primarily a DVD-by-mail service, we measured our market in terms of households," Netflix said. "Households subscribed to Netflix and members of the household watched the DVDs as they wanted ... Online streaming video, however, is more naturally individual, since it is watched on personal screens like phones, tablets, and laptops, as well as on shared large screen televisions."

Netflix previously launched social tools, but scrapped them last year after they failed to take off. Mike Hart, previously Netflix's director of engineering for APIs, is now director of engineering for social.

"Our long-term goal is to evolve the Netflix service so that it feels more natural to have a personal account," Netflix said this week. "This evolution from household to personal relationship will take several years, and there will always be some households that only have one account."

In what may prove a challenge to Netflix's social strategy, a recent study found that the TV watching isn't as "social" an experience as one might assume. Rather, just 25% of consumers expressed an interest in sharing what they watch with friends, according to SideReel, which helps users find content and TV shows online.

Going forward, however, that may be the least of Netflix's problems. Its relationship with media companies could soon change when a deal with pay-TV channel Starz to stream movies from Sony and Disney expires. Indeed, Richard Greenfield, an analyst at BTIG research, estimated that the cost of the deal could go up from $25 million a year to more than $250 million a year.

Overall, according to research firm Screen Digest, Netflix revenues for 2010 were expected to reach $2.2 billion.

Netflix's snail-mail business was expected to account for 35% of disc-rental spending in the U.S. in 2010 -- up from 26% in 2009, according to Screen Digest.

Kobe Bryant is, "The Black Mamba" - Directed by Robert Rodriguez

What an amazing find by Luaggz of Advertise Me...

Kobe and Robert Rodriguez team up the make "The Black Mamba."  Hilarious!  http://www.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikebasketball/en_US/

Andy Gray Officially Axed By Sky Sports in Sexism Scandal

Pundit Andy Gray has left Sky Sports in the aftermath of his controversial comments on female officials.

Sky has confirmed it has terminated his contract in light of "new evidence of unacceptable and offensive behaviour".

Along with presenter Richard Keys, Gray was caught off camera making controversial comments about assistant referee Sian Massey ahead of Liverpool's 3-0 victory over Wolves on Saturday.

Keys suggested that "somebody better get down there and explain offside to her", and Gray added: "They probably don't know the offside rule".

Sky News released footage on Monday evening of Gray in conversation with Sky Sports reporter Andy Burton. Burton, who has been stood down for Wednesday night's Carling Cup semi-final, referred to Massey as a "bit of a looker" while Gray again said she would be unaware of the offside rule.

Keys has since telephoned Massey to apologise and, although Gray had not been in contact, a Sky spokesman said: "It wasn't a case of Andy not apologising. It doesn't really make sense for both of them to call."

However, after footage emerged of Gray joking that Sky Sports News presenter Charlotte Jackson should help him to tuck his shirt in, he has now left the company.

A statement read: "Sky Sports today terminated its contract with Andy Gray. The decision, which is effective immediately, was made in response to new evidence of unacceptable and offensive behaviour.

"The new evidence, relating to an off-air incident that took place in December 2010, came to light after Andy Gray had already been subjected to disciplinary action for his comments of January 22, 2011."

Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, said on Tuesday: "Andy Gray's contract has been terminated for unacceptable behaviour.

"After issuing a warning yesterday, we have no hesitation in taking this action after becoming aware of new information today."

Massey has been withdrawn from the League Two game between Crewe and Bradford on Tuesday night.

Professional Game Match Officials general manager Mike Riley said: "PGMO and Sian believe that, with any football match, the focus should not be on the officials but on the players and the game itself.

"Sian is an excellent professional who has unwittingly found herself in the middle of a story that has nothing to do with her competence as a match official.

"Sian only wants to be notable for her performance as an assistant referee and is keen for things to get back to normal so she can return to officiating as soon as possible.

"Sian has the full backing of PGMO and we hope she continues her development, which has shown excellent progress so far. It is important for PGMO to have talented people from all backgrounds getting involved in refereeing.

"The more people are attracted to the game, the better standards will be, and the more everyone can talk about the football."

Clickable TV Ads; Yay or Nay?

For a variety of reasons, I left my house 2-3 times at the most this weekend. What that means is that I've been watching more TV than is healthy for any single individual (my GF was with me so let's chalk 50% off of my consumption).

What I noticed was that on three different cable stations [ed note; we are talking cable networks, not a primary network e.g. ABC, NBC...], was that clickable TV ads had a larger presence than I've ever seen before.  Up until yesterday, I had seen a sum total of 1 clickable TV ad on my Comcast box.  It was a GM ad that offered me the chance to click onto a screen, enter my address, and then get sent a brochure on the Chevy Silverado truck.  The input process was laborious and time consuming, and I didn't finish.  However, the idea of it all was astounding.  A true DR TV ad?  Watch an ad and perform a response?  Wild stuff.

Back to this weekend; three cosmetic ads offering to click for a coupon that would be emailed to me.  Very easy process, one entry field.  Let's make it clear the aesthetics of these ads were terrible, they looked like Comcast's guide.  But, as time-shifted television continues to become a more prevalent topic, as well as DVRs, connected TVs, etc., do we think interactive television ads are too little too late?  Or are they cable networks saving grace for not losing all their money to the online space?

Verizon's First iPhone Commercial?

Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire and Kevin Durant Go Back To The Future

These spots are turning up all over the place, so I figured it was time for them to nest here at Rants.  Goodby Silverstein and Partners has crushed it again for the NBA, this time bringing in a little 'Ghost of Christmas Future,' if you will.  They super-imposed characters into old footage of Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, and Kevin Durant, and they are dropping hints about there future.  Ever since Goodby and the NBA teamed up, it's been of juggernaut of phenomenal creative and these spots are all on par.  Enjoy...