Netflix responds to change in their concurrent video streaming policy

Earlier today, there was considerable outrage when Netflix began enforcing their policy on concurrent video streams, months after changing their ToS, making it impossible for multiple users to stream movies or TV shows at the same time if they are using the same account.

While the move would of course cut down on groups of people pooling together to use one account, there was outrage from families who legitimately have two people who enjoying streaming films, sometimes at the same moment.

Reads the ToS:

Personal Computer Requirements and Device Limitations: To enjoy watching instantly via your personal computer, your equipment must satisfy certain system requirements. Click here to view the various system requirements. To see partners who offer Netflix ready devices you may use to access our service, click here. YOU MAY INSTANTLY WATCH ON UP TO SIX UNIQUE AUTHORIZED NETFLIX READY DEVICES. YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TO INSTANTLY WATCH SIMULTANEOUSLY ON ONLY ONE SUCH DEVICE AT ANY GIVEN TIME. For certain membership plans in the United States, you may instantly watch simultaneously on more than one Netflix ready device within your household. Click here to view the number of devices on which you may simultaneously view movies & TV shows that are associated with your plan. The number of devices and concurrent streams may change without notice to you. For certain limited membership plans in the United States, your available Netflix ready device may be limited to personal computers.

This afternoon, however, Netflix�s VP of Communication, Steve Swasey responded to TC and said "the restrictions happened in error and the company is not actively blocking concurrent video streams."

That being said, the ToS, with the wording above, has not been changed.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 7 Sep 2011 18:30

xaznboitx

so we have to pay more to stream onto another device if we want to watch videos at the same time?

8.9.2011 02:22 #1

KillerBug

This is probably in response to all of the people who cut off their 3-disks-at-a-time plan, kept streaming, and started getting disks from blockbuster.

8.9.2011 03:19 #2

carolhall

Well, truth be told this is not a totally new Netflix "rule". They just didn't bother to enforce it till now, at least as far as I know.

8.9.2011 07:23 #3

ronhondo

I reduced my Netflix servise to streaming only and will dump them when another company comes along even if the service is not as good. NETFLIX SUCKS .. The CEO should be fired.

8.9.2011 12:23 #4

farleybob (unverified)

Originally posted by ronhondo: I reduced my Netflix servise to streaming only and will dump them when another company comes along even if the service is not as good. NETFLIX SUCKS .. The CEO should be fired. Hulu Plus ?

8.9.2011 20:58 #5

robertmro

Netflix's streaming library is too small.
I could never find anything worth watching.
I'll come back in a few years if they fix that.

9.9.2011 08:13 #6

8686

Yeah, their streamin library is garbage. This rule makes sense but man, it comes at a hard time. Most people are still pissed at the previous change. Rent from Blockbuster? What's Blockbuster? In Long Island, NY they have all but vanished. good thing there is Redbox and my local library for the oldies.

9.9.2011 09:25 #7

noypi2

STILL WAITING FOR OTHER COMPANY TO OFFER STREAMING AND DVD. THEN OF COURSE I WILL DUMP NETFLIX TOO.

9.9.2011 10:25 #8

Virgil_B

I dropped Netflix when the upped my bill by 60% and, to my astonishment, I discovered that life goes on.

Someone in Netflix is making some bad business decisions that is affecting their revenue stream. If it continues I can see them losing more and more customers.

9.9.2011 11:06 #9

Mr-Movies

Originally posted by 8686: Yeah, their streamin library is garbage. This rule makes sense but man, it comes at a hard time. Most people are still pissed at the previous change. Rent from Blockbuster? What's Blockbuster? In Long Island, NY they have all but vanished. good thing there is Redbox and my local library for the oldies. Killer is smoke�n something as Blockbuster went bankrupt and do not exist anymore. Netflix bought out a bunch of their vending machines and all of the mortar sites around me are vacant.

It would be good for people to quit Netflix for a short term at least just to send a message that we are not going to put up with the new nonsense.

9.9.2011 13:26 #10

hastypete

They have "The IT Crowd" on netflix. Watch that and stop complaining about Netflix.

9.9.2011 14:40 #11

six60six

it appears the amount of devices depends on the amount of discs out at a time you have. unlimited streaming, unlimited streaming +1 disc, or limited streaming is 1 device. unlimited streaming + 2 discs, is 2 devices. unlimited streaming + 3 discs is 3 devices, etc.

9.9.2011 17:58 #12

pharaoh127

The Department of Justice filed to block the merger of AT&T and T-Mobile because less competition would cause price increases. Netflix, during a RECESSION!!!!! institutes a 60 PERCENT!!!!!!!!11 price increase in service because even though they are THE DOMINANT PLAYER in the market WITHOUT EQUAL COMPETITION they don't think they are MAKING ENOUGH MONEY and the DOJ is SILENT? I think AT&T needs to step up on those presidential re-election donations.

11.9.2011 21:43 #13

pharaoh127

The Department of Justice filed to block the merger of AT&T and T-Mobile because less competition would cause price increases. Netflix, during a RECESSION!!!!! institutes a 60 PERCENT price increase in service because even though they are THE DOMINANT PLAYER in the market WITHOUT EQUAL COMPETITION they don't think they are MAKING ENOUGH MONEY and the DOJ is SILENT? I think AT&T needs to step up on those presidential re-election donations.

I'm still alive.

11.9.2011 22:03 #14

solamf30

Originally posted by pharaoh127: The Department of Justice filed to block the merger of AT&T and T-Mobile because less competition would cause price increases. Netflix, during a RECESSION!!!!! institutes a 60 PERCENT price increase in service because even though they are THE DOMINANT PLAYER in the market WITHOUT EQUAL COMPETITION they don't think they are MAKING ENOUGH MONEY and the DOJ is SILENT? I think AT&T needs to step up on those presidential re-election donations. But Netflix isn't trying to merge with their competitors. There isn't any netflix/blockbuster, netflix/hulu or netflix/redbox merger. Theirs was a business decision. Albeit not a popular one but not an anti-competitive or monopolistic one. Where could the DOJ stand? That raising rates during a recession is a crime. I agree it was a wrong move but not an unlawful one

12.9.2011 01:29 #15

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