Netflix Members With Older Subscriptions Might Get Cut Off if They Don't Update (9to5mac.com) 77
Netflix is severing ties with Apple's App Store billing system for good. From a report: Netflix stopped allowing new and rejoining subscribers to sign up with App Store billing back in 2018, but Netflix subscribers who were paying through Apple at the time were allowed to continue doing so. Now, that's finally about to change.
As reported by The Streamable, Netflix has started notifying people who currently pay for a subscription through Apple that they need to update their payment method to continue accessing the service. Netflix's support website has also been updated to acknowledge this change: "Some Apple-billed members in select countries may be prompted to add a new payment method to continue their subscription."
As reported by The Streamable, Netflix has started notifying people who currently pay for a subscription through Apple that they need to update their payment method to continue accessing the service. Netflix's support website has also been updated to acknowledge this change: "Some Apple-billed members in select countries may be prompted to add a new payment method to continue their subscription."
Charge customers 30% more (Score:5, Interesting)
It would be easy to simply pass the fee onto the customer, which I believe is still 30%. But then everyone would be mad that Netflix is charging some people more. So they can't really win at this one.
(actually I think 42% more is the correct number)
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Why would a video streaming service need to go through an application store in the first place?
Surely any self-respecting European would just pin a PWA to their home screen...
Re: Charge customers 30% more (Score:2)
Netflix has the choice. Let people sign up through their website, or through the Netflix app. One, Netflix keeps the money, the other, apple gets 15% from the second year.
Assuming that selling through apple is better than not selling at all, Netflix and everyone else has to decide: how much money do we get from people signing up through the app who wouldn't have joined Netflix a
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Because a significant percentage of iPhone users have no idea how to "just pin a PWA to their home screen."
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Because a significant percentage of iPhone users have no idea how to "just pin a PWA to their home screen."
Oh shut up.
Neither do 99% of Android owners.
So what was your point, again?
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From the summary:
Netflix subscribers who were paying through Apple at the time were allowed to continue doing so
I wasn't trying to pick a fight over Android vs. Apple. You're exactly right, Android users don't know how to do it either.
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From the summary:
Netflix subscribers who were paying through Apple at the time were allowed to continue doing so
I wasn't trying to pick a fight over Android vs. Apple. You're exactly right, Android users don't know how to do it either.
Thanks! I appreciate that.
I just get sick of the "dumb Apple Users" trope. I was an Embedded Dev. for over 40 years, and all of my Apple-Using friends/aquaintances/Clients are way above average in intelligence, and average to way above average in Tech knowledge.
TBF, most of my Android-Using Friends are, too. . .
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maybe take some anger management classes instead of apple worshipping classes.
Android users can learn to do things. iphone user willl be bewildered.
Bullshit.
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A whole lot of iPhone users won't be **able** to pin a PWA to their Home Screen soon because of Apple's temper tantrums in the EU.
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It's only "difficult" to program if they insist on earning a 30% commission on everything your customers do on your web site, just because they pinned it to their home screen.
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They have.
As the greeting screen of every web app that wants to be pinned has a button "save to home screen"
Facepalm
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In order for that to be "easy" the person has to first GET TO the PWA. Those aren't in the App Store like the apps they are used to installing.
And in their upcoming EU update, they are disabling PWAs entirely.
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A PWA is a damn website.
Slashdot.org could be one and you would not know/see the difference.
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Yes, indeed a PWA is a website.
Slashdot.org could be one and you would not know/see the difference
Maybe Slashdot is one. Did you see something inviting you to "pin to the Home screen" when you came to Slashdot? I didn't.
And if you did, how exactly does that procedure work again? For the average slashdot reader, this is probably simple. For your grandma who doesn't quite get all this smartphone stuff, not so simple.
Is every PWA launched from the home page of the parent website? Probably not. Now, where is that PWA link again, and how do I discover it?
That's what the Play St
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Maybe Slashdot is one. Did you see something inviting you to "pin to the Home screen" when you came to Slashdot? I didn't. ... menu of your web browser.
No, but it is in the hamburger or
Is every PWA launched from the home page of the parent website? that is an unclear question.
If you do not have it on your HOME SCREEN, then obviously yes, it is launched from the home page. Via an URL in a browser. Or an bookmarked URL.
If it is on the home screen it is launched from the home screen. And if the web site is ava
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30/70 is the correct number, so closer to 43%.
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30/70 is the correct number, so closer to 43%.
Wrong.
Most NetFlix Subscriptions are more than 1 year old; so the correct number is 15%.
So, 85/15. And yet, that still isn't enough!
So, Quit lying.
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It would be easy to simply pass the fee onto the customer, which I believe is still 30%. But then everyone would be mad that Netflix is charging some people more. So they can't really win at this one.
(actually I think 42% more is the correct number)
30% for the first year, then Apple's Fee drops to 15%. And NetFlix Subscriptions are almost all older than that.
So, on aggregate, I'd be willing to bet that NetFlix is almost assuredly paying Apple something around 15.2%.
Nobody ever seems to think about that. It's always this mantra of "30, 30, 30".
But, especially for Services like NetFlix, it simply doesn't comport with Reality.
apple will not let them have an higher apple price (Score:2)
apple will not let them have an higher apple price and an lower non apple price.
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apple will not let them have an higher apple price and an lower non apple price.
Bullshit.
I have NetFlix on (both of) my AppleTV set top box(es). I simply logged-in with my Existing NetFlix Account (which I started LONG before there was an App Store), and off I went!
If I wished, I could do the same on my MacBook and my iPhone.
Apple doesn't force anyone to Sign Up through them. They. Just. Don't.
No more than the State makes stupid people buy Lottery Tickets.
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apple will not let them have an higher apple price and an lower non apple price.
Bullshit.
I have NetFlix on (both of) my AppleTV set top box(es). I simply logged-in with my Existing NetFlix Account (which I started LONG before there was an App Store), and off I went!
That's not what the person you replied to was talking about.
Apple will not allow an app to be hosted in their store if the service charges a higher price using payments through the app than it does using other methods.
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apple will not let them have an higher apple price and an lower non apple price.
Bullshit.
I have NetFlix on (both of) my AppleTV set top box(es). I simply logged-in with my Existing NetFlix Account (which I started LONG before there was an App Store), and off I went!
That's not what the person you replied to was talking about.
Apple will not allow an app to be hosted in their store if the service charges a higher price using payments through the app than it does using other methods.
Wrong.
Apple won't let you advertise that you can sign up outside of the App; nor have a button/link to do so.
That is all that is restricted. People are free to sign up on NetFlix's Website, then use those Credentials to Login to NetFlix on the App. Apple doesn't deny or ban that, even though Apple then gets ZERO for Hosting, Promoting, and providing Update Services to NetFlix.
And yet, that's supposed to be fair?
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I like this username conflict
There's no username conflict, NoMoreACs is still an anonymous coward. They didn't use their legal name for their user name and they don't show an email address that's their legal name. They're just an anti-free speech hypocrite.
Not an Anonymous Coward; UNLIKE YOU, COWARD, I always Log In, Fight my Battles, and suffer the slings and arrows of Slashdot's Karma (mine is Excellent, BTW) and Benefits of its Meta Moderating Assignments (which I am Awarded Often).
As to not Divulging my PII, I just don't like expanding my Online Fingerprint any more than necessary.
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I like this username conflict
Not to sound Paranoid; but he created that (I assume) Sockpuppet Account Specifically to Torture and Stalk Me; and secondarily, to automatically Gainsay All Things Apple.
Take a look at his Posting History.
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apple will not let them have an higher apple price and an lower non apple price.
Bullshit.
I have NetFlix on (both of) my AppleTV set top box(es). I simply logged-in with my Existing NetFlix Account (which I started LONG before there was an App Store), and off I went!
That's not what the person you replied to was talking about.
Apple will not allow an app to be hosted in their store if the service charges a higher price using payments through the app than it does using other methods.
Except that's not true, and never has been. Until recently, they wouldn't let you tell people who buy access through your app that they can get it cheaper elsewhere, but Apple has never prevented you from making in-app purchases available cheaper on your website. In practice, for most apps, there's no difference between those statements, because you don't have a relationship with the app developer, but for a service like Netflix, that usually isn't true.
Re:Charge customers 30% more (Score:5, Insightful)
"(actually I think 42% more is the correct number)"
Well, of course. 42 is *always* the correct number.
I signed up directly to Netflix site (Score:3)
Re: I signed up directly to Netflix site (Score:2)
Because Appleâ(TM)s subscription UI makes it trivial to cancel all these services without going to their web pages and jumping through ridiculous hoops.
Re: I signed up directly to Netflix site (Score:2)
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As a user, it's easier to sign up through the app, and I'm sure Apple will support me if I don't get what I paid for, I won't have problems cancelling a subscription, a subscription is always for the whole family etc. Does Netflix get less money? People don't know, or people don't care. So good reasons for me. Not so good for Netflix obviously.
Yeah. NetFlix loses a whole 15% after the first year.
Meanwhile, they potentially get ? Millions more Subscribers than they would have otherwise, simply because it's drop-dead easy, and easy to Cancel; plus you aren't giving your personal info to yet another Vendor.
NetFlix is another Epic. They both just want to use Apple as a Free Distribution and Update-Management Service.
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As a user, it's easier to sign up through the app, and I'm sure Apple will support me if I don't get what I paid for, I won't have problems cancelling a subscription, a subscription is always for the whole family etc. Does Netflix get less money? People don't know, or people don't care. So good reasons for me. Not so good for Netflix obviously.
Yeah. NetFlix loses a whole 15% after the first year.
Meanwhile, they potentially get ? Millions more Subscribers than they would have otherwise, simply because it's drop-dead easy, and easy to Cancel; plus you aren't giving your personal info to yet another Vendor.
Only a tiny percentage of people subscribe to Netflix primarily for use with their phone. If you don't provide your contact info to Netflix, they can't readily let you sign in from your TV, your computer, your hotel room TV, etc.
So in practice, the only thing you really avoid is giving Netflix a credit card number. Whoop-de-doo. With virtual account numbers and the incredible ease with with you can report a credit card stolen and reverse fraudulent charges, almost nobody cares about giving out their cred
Seeya (Score:2)
I already have too many Streaming Subscriptions as it is.
I have had a Netflix subscription since all they did was snailmail DVDs to people. Long before I purchased my first Set Top Box.
Month after Month, Year after Year. Never once shared my Password.
If that's how they choose to reward my unflinching loyalty:
FUCK 'EM!
Buh-Bye.
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I would think "unflinching loyalty" would mean paying your bill through a medium that doesnt take a significant portion of what they use to make money.
Re: Seeya (Score:2)
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I just dont see the reason to be upset with Netflix over the fact that they want to collect their full fee and not the fee minus 15%. Any business would want the same.
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I just dont see the reason to be upset with Netflix over the fact that they want to collect their full fee and not the fee minus 15%. Any business would want the same.
But that's just not how business works.
I don't want to pay taxes. But I sure like driving on the roads it buys.
Moron.
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Dont you realize Netflix is a for profit company . They owe it to their shareholders to maximize profits. Even if it upsets a few rabid blind apple cultists.
Thats how buisness works
And Apple, too, is a for-profit company. Netflix just wants a free ride. That is 100% true. Prove that it is not; or STFU.
What's your point?
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Well, Netflix doesn't see it that way. But customers might.
I mean, why do stores offer Paypal when they could process credit card payments themselves? Heck, you often have the choice - use Paypal, or use a Credit Card.
The truth is, there can be a lot of reasons - and likely the customers that choose Paypal prefer it that way (some stores refus
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I would think "unflinching loyalty" would mean paying your bill through a medium that doesnt take a significant portion of what they use to make money.
Actually, I did. Because there WAS no App Store when I first subscribed, idiot!
And it's 15% Commission after the first year. Not HARDLY "a significant portion".
Idiot.
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You signed up to Netflix through a service that takes a sizable cut of the bill and now you're throwing a tantrum because they want their full cut. Sorry but that's not "unflinching loyalty" by any metric.
And no I'm not going to argue with an actual idiot over whether 15% of their profits is "significant" (ask any business owner, it is). You can continue being ridiculous and pretend it's not all you want, it's a free country.
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You signed up to Netflix through a service that takes a sizable cut of the bill and now you're throwing a tantrum because they want their full cut. Sorry but that's not "unflinching loyalty" by any metric.
And no I'm not going to argue with an actual idiot over whether 15% of their profits is "significant" (ask any business owner, it is). You can continue being ridiculous and pretend it's not all you want, it's a free country.
Learn to read.
I signed up long before there was an App Store. Apple gets zero $ of my Netflix Subscription.
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Then what the fuck are you complaining about?
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Then what the fuck are you complaining about?
Because I will bet that NetFlix will start threatening ALL Apple Users, regardless of where they signed up.
Mark my words.
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Shut up and stop capitalizing the "f".
Too many years naming CamelCase Variables.
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Jesus, that's your issue here? My apology on my prior poor assumption then, I was assuming you were at least a somewhat rational person.
Netflix is doing what they are doing so they can get their full fee and not have part of it split with Apple. Why the hell would they then go after all Apple users? How would that make them any money? How would that not instead cause them to lose money? Do you think Netflix has some sort of beef with Apple to the point that they are willing to alienate half the US populatio
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Jesus, that's your issue here? My apology on my prior poor assumption then, I was assuming you were at least a somewhat rational person.
Netflix is doing what they are doing so they can get their full fee and not have part of it split with Apple. Why the hell would they then go after all Apple users? How would that make them any money? How would that not instead cause them to lose money? Do you think Netflix has some sort of beef with Apple to the point that they are willing to alienate half the US population over it?
Hey dumbass.
Every single Apple User they Cancel because of this ridiculous "policy change" WILL lose Netflix 85% of their $23.99 Sub Fee, month after month, year after year.
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Hey dumbass, most of those users will switch to direct payments to Netflix.
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Hey dumbass, most of those users will switch to direct payments to Netflix.
Some will; but if over 15% of existing subscribers don't, it's a Net (or is that Netflix?) loss for them.
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Absolutely. They've probably looked at the usage numbers of these users though and determined that they stand to gain more in the long run by doing this.
Regardless of how that goes however the idea that Netflix would try to cancel or disrupt all Apple users which make up about half the US population with absolutely no possible gain to themselves in doing this is one of the most absurd things I have seen someone say on Slashdot in several weeks.
Never mind the idea that you're so upset that they might cancel
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Absolutely. They've probably looked at the usage numbers of these users though and determined that they stand to gain more in the long run by doing this.
Regardless of how that goes however the idea that Netflix would try to cancel or disrupt all Apple users which make up about half the US population with absolutely no possible gain to themselves in doing this is one of the most absurd things I have seen someone say on Slashdot in several weeks.
Never mind the idea that you're so upset that they might cancel your service that you're threatening to cancel your service. That's just a real something special there.
Listen:
Netflix REMOVED the Subscription Option from their iOS App Six Years Ago. Then, they went back on their word.
Read the real story here:
https://forums.macrumors.com/t... [macrumors.com]
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Yes, all of that is in the summary right here in Slashdot. Is something wrong with you?
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Yes, all of that is in the summary right here in Slashdot. Is something wrong with you?
It's Slashdot: Who reads TFS?
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Users who aren't idiots?
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Users who aren't idiots?
TBH, I skimmed it; but obviously missed that point.
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So you have paranoid delusions of persecutions and you cant absorb a few sentences of text. Gotcha.
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Netflix did not exist before Apple's app store.
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Netflix did not exist before Apple's app store.
Are you sure?
I think have had a Netflix DVD account starting in about 2004.
Netflix started in 1997, and had a website up by 1998:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wik... [wikipedia.org]
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Never heard bout them before roughly 2018. WAs it an America only company?
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I already have too many Streaming Subscriptions as it is.
I have had a Netflix subscription since all they did was snailmail DVDs to people. Long before I purchased my first Set Top Box.
Month after Month, Year after Year. Never once shared my Password.
If that's how they choose to reward my unflinching loyalty:
FUCK 'EM!
Buh-Bye.
The title was clickbait; the summary makes it much clearer. People who signed up through the App will need to update their payment method. These customers do not need to change their package.
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I already have too many Streaming Subscriptions as it is.
I have had a Netflix subscription since all they did was snailmail DVDs to people. Long before I purchased my first Set Top Box.
Month after Month, Year after Year. Never once shared my Password.
If that's how they choose to reward my unflinching loyalty:
FUCK 'EM!
Buh-Bye.
The title was clickbait; the summary makes it much clearer. People who signed up through the App will need to update their payment method. These customers do not need to change their package.
So, now I have to trust that Netflix keeps pristine records on Users that signed up over a Decade ago?
That's a misleading headline (Score:3)
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This only affects subscriptions that used the Apple App store billing system. And probably old, and not so old, subscriptions. Most certainly not old subscriptions in general.
It's still an unnecessary, shitty, greedy move. And all over 85% gross Profit not being enough.
Name me one other product or service sold through distribution channels that makes 85% Gross Profit!
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ill be glad when your shilling rotation takes you back to appleinsider or cult of mac or some shit like that.
You are far too whiny
I'm whiney?!?
You not only created an entire Sockpuppet Account JUST to Follow me around and GAINSAY Every. Single. Post. I make.
That borders on Pathological. You need help. Or a Life.
I've looked at your Posting History. I highly encourage other Slashdotters to do the same.
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Why is it considered greedy to remove a middleman from your transaction so you can receive 100% of the funds due to you. Are you considered greedy because you cash your check at a bank instead of a check-cashing place that takes 3% of your paycheck?
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Why is it considered greedy to remove a middleman from your transaction so you can receive 100% of the funds due to you. Are you considered greedy because you cash your check at a bank instead of a check-cashing place that takes 3% of your paycheck?
Because they are still using Apple's Services. And Profiting from them.
Duh.
Apple hosts literally millions of truly Freeware Apps. For Free. For Years. That's fine. Have you ever heard any of those Devs. Or Apple, bitch about that arrangement?
This is quite different.