Netflix blows it

Those little red envelopes have become a part American life, in the countryside especially, and especially in the winter. In July my ten-dollar subscription become two eight-dollar subscriptions--a sixty percent increase. I responded by dropping the online streaming option, which anyhow mostly provides old films and obscure Danish and German features. So many people did this (or opted for online streaming only, or gave up the service altogether) that Netflix's profit dropped. Today I got an email apology from Reed Hastings, who identified himself as Co-founder and CEO of Netflix:

It is clear from the feedback over the past two months that many members felt we lacked respect and humility in the way we announced the separation of DVD and streaming and the price changes. That was certainly not our intent, and I offer my sincere apology. Let me explain what we are doing.

And what is he doing? He's changing the Netflix name to Quikster. Oh good! That will help! (Netflix for streaming video, Quikster for the little red envelopes.) Not since New Coke has a corporation done a better job of shooting itself in the foot. Blue skies! -- Dan Ford