PUBLIC MARKS with tag netflix

Netflix tests everything. They're very proud that they A/B test interactions, offerings, pricing, everything. It's almost enough to get you to believe that rigorous testing is the key to success.

Except they didn't test the model of renting DVDs by mail for a monthly fee.

And they didn't test the model of having an innovative corporate culture.

And they didn't test the idea of betting the company on a switch to online delivery.

The three biggest assets of the company weren't tested, because they couldn't be.

Sure, go ahead and test what's testable. But the real victories come when you have the guts to launch the untestable.

This venture is doomed to fail! WMV? Silverlight? Are you kidding? Isn't it about time for Netflix to grow up?

NBC was paid by Microsoft to use this technology for the '08 Olympics - NBC abandoned the technology as soon as Olympics were over. MLB used Silverlight for the same reason - Microsoft subsidized the project. Did you read the news last week? MLB is abandoning Silverlight for 2009 season in favor of Flash.

Netflix is marrying itself to yet another also-ran technology from Microsoft. This should be a fun train wreck to watch!

C'est le film qu'on attend tous sur Netflix : "Le Silverlight infernal". Si ça pouvait nous emporter un Icaza au passage, ce ne serait pas plus mal.