Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Actually I think it might work the other way.

At the moment Netflix can't get licenses to stream the vast majority of movies. But if this business model works and is legal then Netflix can say "Hey look, your fancy new movie is going to get streamed over the internet anyway, you might as well license it to us".

I imagine the studios make more money on average getting fifteen cents per watch from Netflix than selling a physical DVD to these other guys and letting them play it until it wears out.

So this business might encourage a shift that works out to everybody's advantage: the consumer, the studios, and the existing dominant player Netflix. Everybody's advantage, that is, except for this guy, who finds himself driven out of business as soon as Netflix starts streaming every title in their library.



Or they just charge $1000/copy for 'rental' DVDs with a license saying that the retail DVDs can't be rented.

That's what used to happen in VHS days - the rental copy to blockbuster was $100, then 6 months later the retail copy came out for $10.




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2026 batch! Applications are open till July 27.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: