Why Netflix will never be added to "Channels"

[Starkadius 219]

Netflix is shutting down its API

 

This is only for people that want Netflix to be a "channel" for Media Browser but don't understand why it isn't already and will never be.

[techywarrior 688]

I wouldn't say "never". But unlikely.

 

Now that most browsers have agreed to support HTML5 DRM Netflix may one day switch from Silverlight to HTML5 (they apparently already have a working player but I've never seen it) and then could re-open the API.

 

But ultimately, they are doing what's best for them. Since they already have such a large market share it's not like they need to rely on 3rd party developers to help them grow their platform support. Also, this whole peering thing with Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T isn't going to help the situation.

[Starkadius 219]

Given that Netflix has taken steps to slowly remove access to it's API and as you mentioned how they already have a large market that no longer requires 3rd party support, there is enough information on their overall corporate behavior to indicate that they won't be reversing course any time soon but quite the opposite. There really is no reason for Netflix to ever need to offer their API publicly anymore, thus the word "Never".

 

As indicated here

the API is now focused on supporting Netflix's official clients on the many devices its customers use to stream movies, not hobbyist projects for managing ones queue or finding new movies to watch

 

Then again nothing in life is absolute or black and white (except for death and taxes, a Meet Joe Black quote), so there really is no such thing as "never" just positively unlikely

Edited June 14, 2014 by Starkadius