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I don't think Netflix has to worry about Amazon Instant Video at all. The problem with AIV is a total lack of consumer awareness. If I'm talking to a friend abo

I don't think Netflix has to worry about Amazon Instant Video at all. The problem with AIV is a total lack of consumer awareness. If I'm talking to a friend about the movie they saw last night, or what TV show they binge-watched over the weekend, they're almost always going to say "Netflix" (and it's not like "Amazon Instant Video" exactly rolls off the tongue). And there's not even any discussion about how there's an alternative. As far as the majority of consumers are concerned, Netflix is the only player in its category. It's basically like iPhone vs. Android in the US, but a lot, lot worse.

tehwebguy 12y ago
My observation is that Netflix Instant Streaming had the exact same total lack of consumer awareness for years while they built up their library. I do agree that Amazon needs a real name for the service, though.
bigtunacan 12y ago
If we are making the comparison that they are iPhone vs. Android respectively (Netflix == iPhone && Amazon == Android) then we should expect that Amazon will eventually dominate the US market place, just like Android is doing now. http://bgr.com/2014/07/01/android-market-share-2014/ http://bgr.com/2014/07/01/android-market-share-2014/ TL/DR; Android market share in US = 61.9%/iPhone US market share in US = 32.5%.
- w1ntermute 12y ago
  The comparison has nothing to do with the change in their market shares, or who will dominate in the future. I'm purely giving an example of how consumer awareness is completely different between nerds and the general population. Just because everyone on HN knows about AIV doesn't mean that the average consumer knows about it. Predicting whether or not AIV will gain consumer awareness is a completely different matter, and I don't think that comparisons between iOS and Android have any place there, since the markets are completely different.
- yzzxy 12y ago
  Android caught up because competition within the Android market brought prices down and features up, and encouraged consumer-attracting partnerships with carriers (cheaper phones on contract). This isn't relevant to the Amazon/Netflix knife fight.
- mullingitover 12y ago
  If being "dominated in the marketplace" means having minority market share but a majority of the profits, we should expect Netflix to do just fine.
Pxtl 12y ago
Not just that, but AIV barely exists outside of the USA. As a Canadian, I can buy Netflix or I can use cable (ick).

tehwebguy 12y ago

My observation is that Netflix Instant Streaming had the exact same total lack of consumer awareness for years while they built up their library. I do agree that Amazon needs a real name for the service, though.

bigtunacan 12y ago

If we are making the comparison that they are iPhone vs. Android respectively (Netflix == iPhone && Amazon == Android) then we should expect that Amazon will eventually dominate the US market place, just like Android is doing now. http://bgr.com/2014/07/01/android-market-share-2014/ http://bgr.com/2014/07/01/android-market-share-2014/ TL/DR; Android market share in US = 61.9%/iPhone US market share in US = 32.5%.

w1ntermute 12y ago
The comparison has nothing to do with the change in their market shares, or who will dominate in the future. I'm purely giving an example of how consumer awareness is completely different between nerds and the general population. Just because everyone on HN knows about AIV doesn't mean that the average consumer knows about it. Predicting whether or not AIV will gain consumer awareness is a completely different matter, and I don't think that comparisons between iOS and Android have any place there, since the markets are completely different.
yzzxy 12y ago
Android caught up because competition within the Android market brought prices down and features up, and encouraged consumer-attracting partnerships with carriers (cheaper phones on contract). This isn't relevant to the Amazon/Netflix knife fight.
mullingitover 12y ago
If being "dominated in the marketplace" means having minority market share but a majority of the profits, we should expect Netflix to do just fine.

Pxtl 12y ago

Not just that, but AIV barely exists outside of the USA. As a Canadian, I can buy Netflix or I can use cable (ick).