Remaining Irish HMV stores to shut within months as retailer takes on Netflix giant

Hollister11 · 10-07-2016 01:20PM #1

http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/remaining-irish-hmv-stores-to-shut-within-months-as-retailer-takes-on-netflix-giant-34869715.html

HMV is to launch a new online video-streaming platform offering 3,000 films in a move that will see it compete directly with Netflix.
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The films will be available to view on a purchase or rental basis, at prices similar to those offered by current online rental or purchase providers such as Apple.

This is interesting. As sad as it is that HMV is shutting all their ROI stores, this could be a good opportunity. I never buy anything there. I don't own physical DVD'S/CD'S and i'm not a gamer.

MilesMorales1 · 10-07-2016 02:58PM

It's sad, I used to buy all my blu rays from there. But the writings been on the wall for months.

SEPT 23 1989 · 10-07-2016 03:14PM

they did very well when they were charging 20 punts for an album

petes · 10-07-2016 03:15PM

Surely the market is too saturated now to try and compete?

Taco Chips · 10-07-2016 03:22PM

The last thing anyone wants is an excess of video streaming services, all with different exclusive content on them meaning there is fragmentation of consumer choice. By all means compete with Netflix and Hulu but don't want to see whats happening with Tidal/Spotify/Apple Music happen in the video arm of streaming (well moreso than it already is anyway)

Alf Stewart. · 10-07-2016 03:29PM

Here's my take on the whole dvd/movie rental malarkey.

Start pricing the stuff reasonably to begin with.

For example. Google movies have at present, star wars, the force awakens in HD at €16.99.

It is also available via "alternative methods" for free.

I still subscribe to Netflix, even though every single thing they show is available for free elsewhere, but as Netflix have priced their subscription rates so keenly, its not worth seeking them out for free.

So basically, price your stuff within reason, and folk won't even bother seeking the alternatives.

JTMan · 10-07-2016 03:35PM

So HMV join XtraVision, Virgin Megastores and many others in the CD retail waste-bin. One wonders how long it will be before Golden Discs and Tower Records inevitably follow.

endacl · 10-07-2016 03:38PM

JTMan wrote: »

So HMV join XtraVision, Virgin Megastores and many others in the CD retail waste-bin. One wonders how long it will be before Golden Discs and Tower Records inevitably follow.

Can't download vinyl. Tower will be grand for a bit. And Golden Discs is where old people go to by a cd for there grandchild's birthday. I give it 20 years till that population is gone.

MilesMorales1 · 10-07-2016 03:41PM

Well, its gonna go very niche (physical media) and much smaller like it already is, but there's always gonna be people who want a physical copy of something (dinosaurs like me)

Makes me wonder how bookshops have largely survived and not been swallowed up by the digital age.

Atlantic Dawn · 10-07-2016 03:41PM

Ffs trying to take on Netflix and other players at this stage, talk about burning money. The main market left for Xtravision in this country is rural areas with rubbish broadband that's not fast enough to support Netflix, this new offering won't make a cent from these areas.

Its dead Jim · 10-07-2016 03:49PM

Is it competing with netflix or itunes? While similar they have a very large difference. One is an all you can use subscription, the other is pay per view or buy.

MilesMorales1 · 10-07-2016 04:37PM

From both with different perspectives innit. When they say iTunes they're probably referring to Apple Music.

timthumbni · 10-07-2016 04:37PM

MilesMorales1 wrote: »

Well, its gonna go very niche (physical media) and much smaller like it already is, but there's always gonna be people who want a physical copy of something (dinosaurs like me)

Makes me wonder how bookshops have largely survived and not been swallowed up by the digital age.

The bookshop thing is odd I suppose. But there is nothing like being curled up in bed with a good book, turning the pages, sometimes in terror (Stephen King fan)

I'm a big tech fan but I have to admit that a kindle or kindle on a tablet/iPad isn't just as good. I love the smell of a good book in the morning.

adox · 10-07-2016 05:24PM

Thread title is misleading as the business model being suggested is not in competition with Netflix, more so iTunes and Google Play etc.

Sir Osis of Liver. · 10-07-2016 05:26PM

I was surprised to see an Xtravision dvd vending machine installed in my local Supervalu recently.
I thought the company had completely folded.

I don't download and cancelled my Netflix sub.Everything I want can be streamed on my Android boxes.

asteroids over berlin · 10-07-2016 05:31PM

Netflix is crap

boobar · 10-07-2016 05:31PM

Sitting here listening to Spotify, reading an ebook on my kindle. I used to spend my spare cash on cds, music and dvds, because there was no other option.

But now physical media is dead in my view. Xtravision and HMV should have moved away from this model years ago, trying to compete at this stage makes me think too little too late.

Dirty Dingus McGee · 10-07-2016 05:36PM

boobar wrote: »

Sitting here listening to Spotify, reading an ebook on my kindle. I used to spend my spare cash on cds, music and dvds, because there was no other option.

But now physical media is dead in my view. Xtravision and HMV should have moved away from this model years ago, trying to compete at this stage makes me think too little too late.

Your always going to have people who want the physical copy of the DVD's they watch.

Del2005 · 10-07-2016 05:38PM

Mr.S wrote: »

The move towards a streaming platform is about 5 years to late, but they could do well here and the UK if they get a decent catalog. A platform with 3k+ decent movies will easily be worth paying for instead of Netflix which have awful libraries for the UK/IRE market.

Doubt they'll get a decent catalog. If Netflix with their huge market and money are forced to severely restrict the Irish and UK content I can't see HMV getting anything decent. The rights holders have even forced Netflix to block non geo access, I think they want people to pirate.

_Brian · 10-07-2016 05:49PM

Alf Stewart. wrote: »

Here's my take on the whole dvd/movie rental malarkey.

Start pricing the stuff reasonably to begin with.

For example. Google movies have at present, star wars, the force awakens in HD at €16.99.

It is also available via "alternative methods" for free.

I still subscribe to Netflix, even though every single thing they show is available for free elsewhere, but as Netflix have priced their subscription rates so keenly, its not worth seeking them out for free.

So basically, price your stuff within reason, and folk won't even bother seeking the alternatives.

I still subscribe to Netflix too, I ise it a bit and the kids use it a lot. But the content is not current at all. I saw a joke online that using Netflix in Ireland was a bit like going into Xtravision in 2002 at 9pm on a Saturday night the selection is so bad.

We use other sources to see and download more modern content.

Grayson · 10-07-2016 05:57PM

I used to head in to HMV to buy hardware. It was a great place to try on headphones etc. If they had changed their business model away from DVD's they might have stood a chance. But selling media like music and films through a bricks and mortar store is a doomed business model.

timthumbni · 10-07-2016 06:01PM

Dirty Dingus McGee wrote: »

Your always going to have people who want the physical copy of the DVD's they watch.

DVDs?????? Ffs that is so 2002. Blue ray leaders the way. And considering you can download br quality rips now what's the point?

timthumbni · 10-07-2016 06:04PM

The video shop is dead people. No more blues under the counter. We move on. We progress. No big deal. Xtra vision prices were so high you would have to be a moron to buy from them.

boobar · 10-07-2016 06:20PM

Dirty Dingus McGee wrote: »

Your always going to have people who want the physical copy of the DVD's they watch.

True, but not enough to keep a business open e.g. HMV, Xtravsion.

Bookshops also seem to be suffering by all accounts.

Spartan08 · 21-07-2016 08:42PM

It's a really sad day for me as I go there at least every two weeks to buy new blu-rays and cds. I don't know why people complain that it's expensive 17.99 to 19.99 for a new Blu-ray??? or 13.99 for a new CD. Does no one enjoy going out to talk to people and browse the store for new releases? I also don't get why people complained about Xtra-Vision. 14.99 for unlimited rentals with no late fess and unlimited length, how is that expensive, considering rentals cost 4.99 on Microsoft, Google and iTunes. I'm a tech fan but nothing beats goin to a brick and mortar store.

Spartan08 · 21-07-2016 08:44PM

Mr.S wrote: »

A small %.

Which will get even smaller as internet quality improves. There will always be *some* physical sales but the vast majority are moving towards digital. Games consoles are probably the reason why Blu-ray is still around

Anyway, those who still want to buy physical media just buy it online for far less. Bricks n' mortar stores just can't compete on the prices.

How can you beat €17.99 from HMV???, when amazon prices their blu-rays at around £14.99

Spartan08 · 21-07-2016 08:45PM

timthumbni wrote: »

The video shop is dead people. No more blues under the counter. We move on. We progress. No big deal. Xtra vision prices were so high you would have to be a moron to buy from them.

Xtra-Vision prices were so high? 14.99 for unlimited rentals, no late fees and you get to keep rentals for as long as you like. How is that expensive considering digital rentals cost 4.99

Spartan08 · 21-07-2016 08:46PM

timthumbni wrote: »

DVDs?????? Ffs that is so 2002. Blue ray leaders the way. And considering you can download br quality rips now what's the point?

You really prefer downloading a movie illegally just to save 17.99? why not support a struggling business instead

Spartan08 · 21-07-2016 08:47PM

adox wrote: »

Thread title is misleading as the business model being suggested is not in competition with Netflix, more so iTunes and Google Play etc.

Exactly, it will not be a streaming service but a digital rental/purchasing service like Microsoft Movies & TV

Spartan08 · 21-07-2016 08:48PM

MilesMorales1 wrote: »

It's sad, I used to buy all my blu rays from there. But the writings been on the wall for months.

Same for me, it's a terrible day for me

Spartan08 · 21-07-2016 08:50PM

Alf Stewart. wrote: »

Here's my take on the whole dvd/movie rental malarkey.

Start pricing the stuff reasonably to begin with.

For example. Google movies have at present, star wars, the force awakens in HD at €16.99.

It is also available via "alternative methods" for free.

I still subscribe to Netflix, even though every single thing they show is available for free elsewhere, but as Netflix have priced their subscription rates so keenly, its not worth seeking them out for free.

So basically, price your stuff within reason, and folk won't even bother seeking the alternatives.

How were shops like Xtra-Vision expensive? You could get unlimited rentals, no late fees and you could keep them for as long as you like for only 14.99

Remaining Irish HMV stores to shut within months as retailer takes on Netflix giant

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