Skip to main content

Netflix backpedals: Qwikster is no more, DVDs staying at Netflix.com

Image used with permission by copyright holder

CEO Reed Hastings turned Netflix into the country’s largest movie subscription service, but lately he can’t seem to get things right. After publicly announcing plans to spin off Netflix’s DVD-by-mail service as a new company called Qwikster, Hastings has completely backpedaled. DVDs will now stay at Netflix.com. The Qwikster.com domain now leads straight to Netflix. 

“It is clear that for many of our members two websites would make things more difficult, so we are going to keep Netflix as one place to go for streaming and DVDs,” said Hastings in a blog post. “This means no change: one website, one account, one password… in other words, no Qwikster. While the July price change was necessary, we are now done with price changes.”

The reason for this reversal seems to be customer backlash, and we know why. While there isn’t really a problem with splitting off DVD rentals into a separate Website, Hastings made it clear that he planned to separate everything: users of DVD-by-mail and streaming would now have two separate bills each month, two separate logins, two separate queues–even movie ratings would be completely separate between the sites. There’s really no reason why Netflix wouldn’t connect up as many services as possible to make the experience seamless. It seems, when users demanded this ease of use, Netflix decided to abandon Qwikster all together.

What were Netflix’s plans for Qwikster and why did it abandon the idea so quickly? With snap decisions like these, the company is starting to resemble HP.  

Editors' Recommendations

Jeffrey Van Camp
Former Digital Trends Contributor
As DT's Deputy Editor, Jeff helps oversee editorial operations at Digital Trends. Previously, he ran the site's…
Bruins vs Panthers live stream: Can you watch for free?
FLA Live Arena before Florida Panthers NHL game.

In a matchup that could very well determine this year's Atlantic Division champions in the NHL, the Boston Bruins head to Amerant Bank Arena to face off against the Florida Panthers. They enter this one tied at 97 points apiece, though Florida has an extra game in hand.

If you want to watch the game, you better pick a streaming option below soon, as it starts at 7:00 p.m. ET. It will be televised locally only on NESN (Bruins markets) and Bally Sports Florida (Panthers markets). But if you don't have those channels or you live out of market, there are some different ways you can watch a live stream.
Is There a Free Bruins vs Panthers Live Stream?

Read more
Warriors vs Heat live stream: Can you watch for free?
Stephen Curry holds his follow through after shooting a basketball.

Suddenly fighting for their postseason lives with a red-hot Rockets team closing in on them, the Golden State Warriors head to Miami for an important showdown against the Heat today.

The game is starting very soon, at 7:30 p.m. ET, so pick a streaming option below quickly. It will be televised locally only on NBC Sports Bay Area (Warriors markets) and Bally Sports Sun (Heat markets), but there are also a handful of different ways you can watch a free live stream of the game from anywhere in the US.
Is There a Free Warriors vs Heat Live Stream?

Read more
The 10 most popular TV shows on Netflix right now
A man and two women stand in the sand and stare.

Exploring the thousands of titles on Netflix can be both exciting and overwhelming. Content of all types abounds, from dramas and comedies to reality shows and documentaries. It's a good thing there's a list to help narrow your decision by letting you see the most popular Netflix shows. That's right, every week, Netflix releases its list of the 10 most-watched TV shows over a recent seven-day period.

The biggest arrival to this week's chart is 3 Body Problem, the first TV series for David Benioff and D. B. Weiss since Game of Thrones ended in 2019. Despite the popularity of 3 Body Problem, Dick Wolf's Homicide: New York edged out the sci-fi series for the top spot. Other new shows this week: Physical: 100 season 2, Brian Simpson: Live from the Mothership, and The Resident season 1. Below, we have listed the top 10 shows in the U.S. from March 18 to March 24, along with general information about each show, including genre, rating, cast, and synopsis.

Read more