{"id":1245,"date":"2012-04-16T02:24:07","date_gmt":"2012-04-16T02:24:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.chris-salazar.com\/blog\/?p=1245"},"modified":"2012-04-19T05:08:02","modified_gmt":"2012-04-19T05:08:02","slug":"netflix-ceo-calls-out-comcast-heres-his-issue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chris-salazar.com\/blog\/netflix-ceo-calls-out-comcast-heres-his-issue\/","title":{"rendered":"Netflix CEO calls out Comcast – Here’s His Issue"},"content":{"rendered":"

Update:<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 TechCrunch<\/a> is weighing in on this too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Netflix CEO, Reed Hastings, has a big issue with how Comcast registers internet usage on Netflix, HBO Go and Hulu VS using the Comcast Xfinity app.\u00a0 In essence, here’s what is his issue<\/a>: (here’s CNET’s report<\/a>)<\/p>\n

When I watch video on my Xbox from three of these four apps [Netflix, HBO Go, Hulu], it counts against my Comcast internet cap. When I watch through Comcast\u2019s Xfinity app, however, it does not count against my Comcast internet cap.\u00a0 (source:\u00a0 Hasting’s Facebook Post)<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What is Comcast’s argument?\u00a0 Comcast notes that using the Xfinity Xbox app won’t use up the 250 GB monthly cap (WHICH IS A LOT) because the content is not streamed over the internet, but instead is stored within Comcast’s hardware (much like OnDemand services).\u00a0 This seems to justify why data usage isn’t used with Xfinity, but is it fair that other apps use up the monthly data usage?<\/p>\n

To be frank, the 250 GB limit is A LOT.\u00a0 Netflix CEO said he used up 1 GB of cap by watching an episode of Saturday Night Live (which was probably an hour’s worth of data).\u00a0 Essentially, a person can watch 250 episodes of Saturday Night Live and barely reach the cap.\u00a0 Yes, many people use their internet for email, internet browsing and YouTube, but still 250 GB is a lot.<\/p>\n

Now…aside form that, is it fair what Comcast is doing?\u00a0 I say YES!\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span>This gives Comcast the competitive edge and incentive to use their apps.\u00a0 Makes complete sense and is 100% fair.\u00a0 Comcast’s prices are high enough, customers would freak if this were not the case.\u00a0 It’s all about incentives to use Comcast’s app and to stick with their service.<\/p>\n

Perhaps other companies like Netflix\/Hulu\/HBO Go should focus their time and effort on figuring out how to use less internet data usage…that will be time well spent and make their existing customers happy.\u00a0 In fact here’s what the other apps should focus on:<\/p>\n