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

MilesMorales1 · 21-07-2016 09:36PM

Well that is expensive for people who can torrent things for nothing, or netflix it.

I own 450 odd blu rays and I used to get them all from HMV so I agree to a point, but thats just where we're at.

Chain Smoker · 21-07-2016 09:41PM

I was back in Ireland there last Christmas and it was really telling that these places were legit done for. Every electronics shop was stuffed with people but, relatively speaking, HMV and the like were empty.

They were basically being propped up for a few years by DVDs/BluRays being the go to lazy christmas gift but Netflix took off in a big way in the last 12-24 months to the point you couldn't even feign ignorance over the worthlessness of the gift you've gotten.

For Forks Sake · 21-07-2016 10:17PM

Spartan08 wrote: »

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

Spartan08 wrote: »

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

Spartan08 wrote: »

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

Spartan08 wrote: »

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

Spartan08 wrote: »

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

Spartan08 wrote: »

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

They're gone. Get over it.

The_Valeyard · 21-07-2016 10:24PM

For Forks Sake wrote: »

They're gone. Get over it.

I think he worked there.

21-07-2016 10:48PM

Spartan08 wrote: »

Does no one enjoy going out to talk to people and browse the store for new releases?

If HMV installed beertaps in their shops, I'm sure people would head there for a conversation, but for the time being, I'd say they'll stick with the pub. You can browse new releases on your iPhone, too.

riclad · 22-07-2016 12:02AM

It seems any shop that relys on selling,renting dvds is doomed,
its a shame we could end up with game, or cex selling console games .
is, nt there lots of websites selling films, already.
I cant see hmv competing with netflix and sky movies ,unless its cheaper .
Netflix has a much wider catalog than that.
i hope we dont end up like the usa theres lots of streaming services ,
with slightly different programs on them.
When most people have broadband it seems strange to go to a shop to rent a dvd .
We,ll end up with a small no of book shops and record stores .
dvds are very cheap in cex shops .
Its a sad day cos hmv sold books, cd,s as well as films .
hmv is competing with sites like amazon,
And it has to pay expensive ,rents and insurance .
I See no point in buying films, when everything is on netflix or sky movies .
its like there was a boom time for cds ,before broadband and the mp3 came along.
The boom for dvds is over .
dvd film is a legacy format .

Venom · 22-07-2016 12:03AM

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.

Golden Discs are still going!

How the hell are they still in business? Even back when buying CD's and DVD's were a thing they were stupidly overpriced

Sir Osis of Liver. · 22-07-2016 12:57AM

riclad wrote: »

It seems any shop that relys on selling,renting dvds is doomed,
its a shame we could end up with game, or cex selling console games .
is, nt there lots of websites selling films, already.
I cant see hmv competing with netflix and sky movies ,unless its cheaper .
Netflix has a much wider catalog than that.
i hope we dont end up like the usa theres lots of streaming services ,
with slightly different programs on them.
When most people have broadband it seems strange to go to a shop to rent a dvd .
We,ll end up with a small no of book shops and record stores .
dvds are very cheap in cex shops .
Its a sad day cos hmv sold books, cd,s as well as films .
hmv is competing with sites like amazon,
And it has to pay expensive ,rents and insurance .
I See no point in buying films, when everything is on netflix or sky movies .
its like there was a boom time for cds ,before broadband and the mp3 came along.
The boom for dvds is over .
dvd film is a legacy format .

Is that a poem?

suicide_circus · 22-07-2016 07:45AM

Still plenty of old people who don't understand and won't use Netflix etc

andekwarhola · 22-07-2016 07:52AM

While I think the traditional entertainment industries shot themselves in the foot with their historical overpricing/monopoly/refusal to embrace technology and are now rightly paying the cost, it's touching to see that some people believe that the Everybody Getting All their Content For Free Model will somehow be sustainable in the long run.

Cienciano · 22-07-2016 08:05AM

Spartan08 wrote: »

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

Free v €17.99. Do I need to explain?

Ursus Horribilis · 22-07-2016 08:14AM

I stopped buying physical DVDs years ago. Mainly because there are so many TV channels and options out there now, I don't really need to rewatch things any more. Or have the time for it. Also, they take up a lot of space. I've been gradually watching my old DVDs then giving them to the local charity shop.

Qiaonasen · 22-07-2016 01:13PM

DVDs and stuff I understand. Bookshops are here to stay in my opinion. You can't beat reading actual books. Reading on Ipad or Kindle with their fancy paper displays is all well and good but it is still inferior to an actual book.

Although I find paying any more than 10 euro for a normal sized book a bit obscene. I joined the Library where I can borrow graphic novels (which are way too expensive in my opinion). Also SVP has decent second hand book stores all over the country. I usually wait a few months for the newest titles I want to read to appear there. In a lot of SVP book shops books are as little as 1 euro.

Spartan08 · 22-07-2016 01:41PM

The_Valeyard wrote: »

I think he worked there.

Nope, just a frequent and loyal customer.

22-07-2016 01:51PM

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.

Exactly. I'm perfectly happy to pay the €10/month when I get quality shows like Stranger Things, Bojack Horseman, Daredevil, Narcos, Sense8, Bloodlines, and much much more, all of which rivals the more prominent providers like HBO.

ScumLord · 22-07-2016 01:57PM

petes wrote: »

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

Not really, especially in Ireland. Our netflix is pretty half arsed, the UK channels block a heap of content, BBC is technically not available in Ireland, Amazon prime is not available in Ireland.

I have a netflix subscription and they're doing just enough to keep me subscribed. Every time I'm about to cancel it they put up some series that keeps me for another few months. At a tenner, it's an easy one to hold onto though.

3000 movies doesn't really sound like it's going to cut it in this market. There might be a handful that are worth watching and it's likely you've already seen them at least once if not more.

Venom · 22-07-2016 03:45PM

ScumLord wrote: »

Not really, especially in Ireland. Our netflix is pretty half arsed, the UK channels block a heap of content, BBC is technically not available in Ireland, Amazon prime is not available in Ireland.

I have a netflix subscription and they're doing just enough to keep me subscribed. Every time I'm about to cancel it they put up some series that keeps me for another few months. At a tenner, it's an easy one to hold onto though.

3000 movies doesn't really sound like it's going to cut it in this market. There might be a handful that are worth watching and it's likely you've already seen them at least once if not more.

Didn't some art/indie movie type subscription service try and launch over here around the same time Netflix did but offered a fraction of the content, cost more and pretty much failed right off the bat?

Maybe if can HMV offer this for a low cost and include a large amount of box sets, I could see this working but if its close to what Netflix cost's its going to be an uphill battle and probley DOA.

ScumLord · 22-07-2016 03:56PM

Venom wrote: »

Didn't some art/indie movie type subscription service try and launch over here around the same time Netflix did but offered a fraction of the content, cost more and pretty much failed right off the bat?

Maybe if can HMV offer this for a low cost and include a large amount of box sets, I could see this working but if its close to what Netflix cost's its going to be an uphill battle and probley DOA.

Yeah, it would have to offer something new. I think the netflix service is kind of lazy in Ireland. It's very basic. Just being able to make a playlist would be helpful and give any new comer an advantage over netflix.

Spartan08 · 22-07-2016 04:12PM

ScumLord wrote: »

Yeah, it would have to offer something new. I think the netflix service is kind of lazy in Ireland. It's very basic. Just being able to make a playlist would be helpful and give any new comer an advantage over netflix.

Does nobody get that there will be no monthly subscription. It will be a rental/purchasing service like Microsoft Films & TV, Google Play and Apple iTunes

maudgonner · 22-07-2016 04:26PM

Spartan08 wrote: »

Does nobody get that there will be no monthly subscription. It will be a rental/purchasing service like Microsoft Films & TV, Google Play and Apple iTunes

I think people are perfectly capable of grasping that fact. But just because the model isn't the same, does not mean they're not going to be in competition with Netflix/Google/Apple. It's essentially just a different method of pricing for the same content.

_Kaiser_ · 22-07-2016 04:38PM

timthumbni wrote: »

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.

Books vs music is a different thing though..

With a CD or MP3, you just load it into a player and that's it.. the result is the same either way.

With a book it's a very different thing from both the actual physical feeling and experience of reading it and turning the page.

tablets/eReaders aren't the same at all and (having tried them myself) are no substitute IMO

Spartan08 wrote: »

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

It's not the customer's job to save the business.. it's the business's job to offer value to the customer, and keep up with the current trends and technology.

In an age when you can select and watch pretty much anything in minutes, expecting people to trek down to a physical shop AND cough up €17.99 for ONE item when less than a tenner will get you instant access to a whole online catalogue in the same or better quality, is never going to work.. and that is why these businesses are failing.

ScumLord · 22-07-2016 04:46PM

Spartan08 wrote: »

Does nobody get that there will be no monthly subscription. It will be a rental/purchasing service like Microsoft Films & TV, Google Play and Apple iTunes

That's even worse. I wouldn't spend that kind of money on a film any more.

Venom · 22-07-2016 04:52PM

Spartan08 wrote: »

Does nobody get that there will be no monthly subscription. It will be a rental/purchasing service like Microsoft Films & TV, Google Play and Apple iTunes

HMV is not only going to be in competition with the above mentioned companies but will be at a pretty large disadvantage to them. How good is there steaming capacity going to be and most importantly will they even be around in 6 months time and what happens to any digital media owned on their platform if they go bust?

Yes the same "could" apply to Apple, Google and Microsoft but its highly unlikely.

RayCon · 22-07-2016 05:09PM

Ursus Horribilis wrote: »

I've been gradually watching my old DVDs then giving them to the local charity shop.

There's a charity shop near where I work and it's actually stopped accepting CD's as donations and is selling their DVD's @ 4 for €1 because can't get rid.

Spartan08 · 23-07-2016 04:19PM

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

Books vs music is a different thing though..

With a CD or MP3, you just load it into a player and that's it.. the result is the same either way.

With a book it's a very different thing from both the actual physical feeling and experience of reading it and turning the page.

tablets/eReaders aren't the same at all and (having tried them myself) are no substitute IMO

It's not the customer's job to save the business.. it's the business's job to offer value to the customer, and keep up with the current trends and technology.

In an age when you can select and watch pretty much anything in minutes, expecting people to trek down to a physical shop AND cough up €17.99 for ONE item when less than a tenner will get you instant access to a whole online catalogue in the same or better quality, is never going to work.. and that is why these businesses are failing.

The thing is Netflix and others don't have new releases . I'm talkimg about movies that just launched on Blu-Ray/DVD. I still use Netflix for TV shows but I always bought new movies in HMV. Even older movies are priced competively in HMV. Also digital doesn't get you steelbooks, 3D or 4K (non Netflix originals). Also Blu-Rays are always higer quality than Digital HD. Also CDs and MP3 are not the same, CDs are higher quality, same for Blu-Ray vs Digital HD. Books are exactly the same whether they're e-books or physical books (still prefer physical, just statimg the facts)

MRnotlob606 · 23-07-2016 04:22PM

I am surprised that Golden Discs is still going to be honest.

Anesthetize · 23-07-2016 04:28PM

MRnotlob606 wrote: »

I am surprised that Golden Discs is still going to be honest.

What's keeping Golden Discs going at the moment is that in many parts of the country they have no competition.

DEFTLEFTHAND · 23-07-2016 04:33PM

Was down in the one in the Crescent today. Some good deals to be had, 30%+ off many items. I picked up a few games.

DEFTLEFTHAND · 23-07-2016 04:40PM

Are Gamestop on the way out also? Very little stock at their Crescent centre location.

Spartan08 · 23-07-2016 04:49PM

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

Was down in the one in the Crescent today. Some good deals to be had, 30%+ off many items. I picked up a few games.

I was at the Crescent too. Everything is 30% off off the label price, even when iytsays something like 50% off on the item, it's 30% off the sale price

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

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