Netflix goes streaming only – Qwikster to handle DVD by mail service

14 years after it’s launch, Netflix is abandoning it’s DVD by mail service by spinning it off into a separate entity: Qwikster. Netflix will still be supporting it’s online streaming initiative while the new Qwikster brand will be handling DVD, Blu-ray and games by mail. The offering of games is new addition, taking a stab into Blockbuster and Gamefly’s territory.

On the official Netflix blog, CEO Reed Hastings explains the change and how the separation of the the two services will  ”let each grow and operate independently.” Hastings promises some future enhancements to the streaming offering, promising ”The additional streaming content we have coming in the next few months is substantial.” It is an interesting split in the wake of the recent price-hike that was highly criticized, but hopefully this decision will allow Netflix to properly expand it’s streaming offering without being limited by the rental DVD industry.

Written by Levi Neuland (@welovecult)

Some came into this world with a silver spoon, Levi came out wielding a rusty machete. Born and raised in Western New York state he spent most of his cold winters huddled inside watching bizarre and inappropriate movies for a seven-year-old. More »