Unfortunately the CRTC allows big TV and Telephone monopoly giants unobstructed control over content, delivery, and licensing of everything they point a stick at. If Netflix.ca ever got content the Canadian service providers would just use their DPI wands to make the viewing experience sluggish and terrible. Of course Canadian content providers are double-protected. I’d actually buy two subscriptions so I could have content in two rooms simultaneously, or watch on my laptop while abroad without restricting a TV set at home.Īll our other options are just so terrible that I really can’t see any of them surviving without a massive reform if Netflix.ca ever gets content people want to watch. I am fairly sure that any Canadian currently paying for any subscription television service (from local basic analog cable TV to whatever horrible Canadian satellite package is the largest) would gladly shell out 8, 16, or 24 dollars per month to get the same content available to the US on Netflix. I have to admit that it would be nice to have the American library of Netflix, but for $8.99 if you can’t find something good to watch, the problem isn’t with Netflix. Netflix also has an amazing selection of foreign films, documentaries and “B” movies, as well as a huge library of Japanese anime and British television (“Pulling” may be one of the funniest shows I have ever seen).
Netflix offers movies that I would never even think of renting in the store, and yet I have never been disappointed by a movie that Netflix recommends for me, and most of them I have never heard of, or have heard of but never got around to renting. They may not be the newest Hollywood blockbusters, but to be honest, most newer movies are shit anyways. My wife and I only watch tv after 9pm when our kids are in bed, and after 3 months of Netflix we still continue to find awesome, entertaining movies and television shows.
If Netflix was $9.99 per month, or even $11.99 per month and offered better content, would this increase your chances of subscribing to Netflix?Įven with its “poor” selection, Netflix is still far superior to the crappy selection of re-runs, reality tv and basic crap that cable offers. I would like to see some comments and opinions of other Canadians. So the only problem is the convenience factor, but for $9.99 per month, and being able to watch the exact movie you had in mind, this seems like a great deal to me.
(Contacting Blockbuster they confirmed most movies over 8 months old are included) This movie pass includes unlimited movie rentals for the month of all older movies.The issue appears to be licensing, with all the content providers trying to lock up content, and unfortunately I cannot see this changing in the future.īlockbuster has a $9.99 monthly movie pass right now, which is most likely in response to Netflix coming to Canada. Hopefully this will give you an idea of the type of selection Netflix Canada has to offer. However after a few weeks, I determined even the content for children was lacklustre. At first there seemed like many titles and they were in heaven with unlimited movies at their fingertips. I decided after the first month that I would remain an active member so the kids could enjoy the content for them. Ok, so the movie selection isn’t the greatest. For a few examples of poor movie selection see below. I can not think of any other issues that would make my decision to cancel Netflix easier. Quality is great, and in most cases HD.Can access on PC/MAC/iPhone/iPad/Apple TV/Wii/Xbox 360/Sony PS3/ Boxee Box(don’t get me started on this one)/ and many more….I have now been a member since day one, and despite still having an active membership, I am not really sure what keeps me holding on.
With the thought of $7.99 being roughly the cost of one movie at Blockbuster or Rogers Video, it would seem like a great idea. While this was a big step forward, I am still asking myself if $7.99 per month is justified. In September of 2010, Netflix launched their digital streaming service in Canada. Netflix vs Blockbuster, by Jamie Forestell