Thursday 29 May 2014

A Netflix-branded device? Don't be silly, says boss, we're already on 1,000!

A Netflix-branded device? Don't be silly, says boss, we're already on 1,000!

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has dismissed the prospect of following Amazon and Google into hardware and launching its own streaming device or set-top box.


Speaking at the Code Conference on Thursday, Hastings said there's "no value-add" in creating an Amazon Fire TV or Google Chromecast rival because "we're working on over 1,000 devices now."


During the chat, Hastings also ruled out any future move into the sports world, claiming Netflix has neither the bandwidth to live stream, nor the money to pay for television's most lucrative content genre.


"So sports, we don't have any bandwidth for, any money for," he added. "Live in general isn't a big area for us - but it's just beginning."


Avoiding the monopoly


The Netflix boss also touched upon the increasingly toxic net neutrality debate, reiterating his firm had little option but negotiate a deal with U.S. ISP Comcast in order to safeguard speedy access for subscribers.


He said Netflix, which represents 30 per cent of web traffic, had cheekily offered to pay Comcast for 30 per cent of its costs, if it received 30 per cent of Comcast's revenue. Unsurprisingly Comcast said "no way."


He also accused Comcast on seeking a post office-like monopoly over the internet and said customers should never have to pay more for using more bandwidth.


He said: "If they charge the Internet a little bit now, as they grow, they're going to charge more and more and more. It's getting ahead of that principle."

















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