The percentage of returned gadgets that have nothing wrong with them.
Of the $13.8 billion worth of returned products in 2007, only 5 percent were because gadgets were actually broken, according to a 2008 study.
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"So Netflix, what's next? Infiltrating DirecTV / DISH Network boxes?"
----Don't forget, DirecTV and Tivo are partnered up again for an HD box that's due in 2009....so we can hope the downloads will be a part of that. DirecTV will want a piece of that pie for first run movies though, since it would compete with their own on-demand setup...but it would be a bonus for both for anyone wanting to watch movies not being broadcast in the DTV ppv lineup.
"if we aren't careful, Netflix is going to turn into a behemoth right before our very eyes."
----and what's wrong with competition/moving HD to downloads? Any BR fan should be a little scared, but also happy that this *should* help reduce prices. If it doesn't....well...in this economy...it's bad news for companies that don't adapt.
And don't forget Netflix isn't the only group doing this. Amazon has forged partnerships with TiVo for years and seems likely to expand their offerings. Blockbuster is talking about a variety of manufacturers supporting their system early next year. Only Hulu and Apple seem to be left out of the party, the latter by choice, the former apparently because they're still trying to figure out how they want to work.
It has to be said that it looks like next year is going to be a major year for downloads and streaming. This year appears to have been the "putting a toe in the water" year, but with it seeming likely that the majority of Blu-ray players, games consoles, and DVRs supporting Netflix at the very least, and many other systems over all, I think consumers are going to be spoilt for choice.
Now, if Netflix and Blockbuster can fix the audio issue (no 5.1? WTF? If the problem is Windows Media, at least decode 5.1 for HDMI, or chose a different audio codec...), we're going to have a very good year.