Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Netflix Kills Qwikster, Claims They Moved "Too Fast"
By
Jen Carlson
Published Oct 10, 2011
Modified Oct 10, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Oct 10, 2011
Modified Oct 10, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
You know that scene in Swingers where Mike keeps calling that girl and leaving messages on her answering machine, and it's just really painful to watch? And even he knows that with each message he's just f*cking this whole thing up, even if he's really just trying to make it better? And you're watching it all, screaming, "Just hang up and never speak to anyone again!" In our world, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings is Mike, and we, America, are the girl.
In his latest message, Hastings says that Netflix is now abandoning the whole Qwikster thing, which was announced just last month. The service would have separated their streaming service from their DVD-by-mail service, forcing customers to go to two separate sites. The services will now stay together under the one Netflix site (with customers still paying more for each), and the company spokesman explained to the NY Times, “We underestimated the appeal of the single web site and a single service. We greatly underestimated it.”
Hastings is currently declining interviews, but admitted in a statement that the company was "moving too fast" with the changes. What do you think his next message will say? Cause you know it's coming...
Just don't screw up Arrested Development if you get it, Hastings.
Tagged
netflix
qwikster
reed hastings
rip qwikster
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
'You Can See Everything' … as long as you go to Staten Island
Nathan Fielder’s Elizabeth Holmes documentary has been selling out across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Tickets to see the film, however, are very much available in other boroughs.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 27, 2026 at 11:18 a.m. ET
Inside the hidden chamber that controls Lincoln Center's magnificent fountain
Gothamist went behind the scenes to learn how the NYC landmark keeps its majestic waters flowing.
By
Sonia Rao
Arts & Entertainment
Inside the hidden chamber that controls Lincoln Center's magnificent fountain
Gothamist went behind the scenes to learn how the NYC landmark keeps its majestic waters flowing.
By
Sonia Rao
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
By
James Ramsay
A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings
By
Hannah Frishberg
A new film invites you to eavesdrop on one of the greatest conversations in NYC history
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .