Netflix Continues Living Room Push

Is Netflix trying to get onto all of your screens and video devices? It’s looking like it. Ant Pruitt comments.

aNewDomain.net — It wasn’t enough for Netflix to nab a few Emmys for its trophy closet. Now the streaming video service has pitched cable providers to allow its service on the set-top boxes used for digital cable. One of the parties in the discussion includes popular cable service Comcast. It looks like Netflix isn’t happy by only being on your computers, tablets, gaming consoles or set-top boxes such as Roku. Does Netflix want to run on any device that has the ability to connect to your television or have a screen? Any device? Probably.

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Image credit: Ant Pruitt for aNewDomain

But wait, there’s more. Netflix is still on the grind and has now inked a deal with Sony Pictures Television to produce even more original content. The next venture from Netflix and Sony Pictures Television is said to be a psychological thriller based on siblings with deep, dark secrets and personal scars of life. This looks like a good move by Netflix as the creators of the hit television series Damages as the team signed up to create the forthcoming 2014 series. Netflix is also getting an endorsement from TiVo to aid in this venture. So you have the streaming giant pushing more and more to produce original content and now, at the same time, wooing the cable companies for an “in” on its set-top boxes.

Is this the Netflix version of a Trojan horse? You know, sneaking into the homes of the cable customers? Offering seamless playback of old TV favorites commercial-free as well as great movies and documentaries? All the while getting you to slowly, but surely, cut the cord and cripple the cable companies. Sounds like a good idea to me. It may sound a little far-fetched, but it sounds like it’s got “made for TV” written all over it, right?

Make Netflix Easy for Everyone

In my previous commentary, I mentioned the potential ripple effect of Netflix creating more original content online after being an award winner. All of you great readers of aNewDomain not only enjoyed my commentary, but shed light on other aspects of Netflix and the idea of it moving into your living room full-time. Ever heard the term ease of use? What about the wife factor? Getting into the living room has to be about more than original content. It has to be easy to access and use. I own a Hisense Pulse GoogleTV device, or shall I call it Android TV? Hmm, I digress. Anyway, I have a set-top box that I love and it lets me run apps such as Netflix and view online content as well as channel surf through my existing cable television. This device is great and relatively easy to use … after a little training. Most consumers don’t want training when it comes to their TVs. TVs should just work.

Is the Netflix Trojan horse that is hiding in cable set-top boxes the way to show it can work? Programming an app into a set-top box may not be a difficult task. The only issue may be ad revenues that are affected.

At any rate, I’m still pushing for this Netflix ripple to turn into a full-blown tidal wave of content featuring online streaming and/or á la carte services. What are your thoughts? Leave me a comment below. As usual, I enjoy hearing from you.

I’m Ant Pruitt here on aNewDomain!

Based in Charlotte, NC, Ant Pruitt is an IT pro, a columnist and the podcast captain at aNewDomain.com. Look for his Smartphone Photographers Community and Yet Another Tech Show. Follow him @ihavnolyfe or on Google+ and email him at Ant@aNewDomain.net. See all Ant’s articles on aNewDomain.net by following this link.

7 Comments

  • With all regards kind sir, Netflix never won a Grammy. They won Emmy awards.

    That being said, how much easier does it need to be to connect to Netflix? I have a 4 year old that can watch it at her whim. Sony has integrated a Netflix button into their remotes that when you push it, bam, brings up Netflix. Ok, so not every TV manufacturer has this built in, but seriously, there comes a point when you need to learn the technology or get passed by.

    • Thanks for the cast Matt Dittenmore! You’re correct.

      You are preaching to the choir. Get with the tech of today or get off the porch. :)

      Thanks for reading and your comment!

      -RAP, II

  • Love the column and creativity in what you are presenting, this is the first article I have read that tackles what Netflix is trying to accomplish. What is their end goal? How many ways is to many ways to access media, or are there never enough? I like where this is headed Ant, keep it up and hopefully we can debate upon this topic of media accessibility with affordability for many years to come!

  • My 4 year old uses Netflix more than anyone in the house. I don’t find a lot of content there that interests me, but their original content has been pretty good to date. I’m glad to hear they plan to expand that side of things.
    I love the concept of Netflix and live the ease of use. I imagine that the cost to license more up to date movies is prohibitive. Since I’m a “watch it once and I’m done” girl, I’ll hold out for the originals.
    That said, Netflix will remain in our house as long as the kids can access it on their phones, tablets, etc. I do wish they allowed separate profiles on mobile devices though. When I do use it, I’m usually not looking to pick up where Mason left off in Lego Ninjago.

  • Netflix on cable?

    I got a roku box and subed to Netflix and some other services so I could dump cable. I’m on DSL and the only problem I have is updating a steam game while trying to watch my anime. Too cheap to pay for faster service.