Netflix shares fall as competition heats up

Netflix's Chief Executive Officer Reed Hastings speaks during an interview with Reuters in Buenos Aires September 7, 2011. REUTERS/Enrique Marcarian

Netflix's Chief Executive Officer Reed Hastings speaks during an interview with Reuters in Buenos Aires September 7, 2011.

Credit: Reuters/Enrique Marcarian

LOS ANGELES | Thu Sep 29, 2011 2:09pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Netflix Inc (NFLX.O) shares slumped 11 percent on Thursday as competitors made moves to attract more customers with alternative options for movie and television content.

Thursday's losses added to a staggering drop for Netflix shares from a high of nearly $300 in July following a series of missteps. In afternoon Nasdaq trading, Netflix shares were down 11.4 percent at $112.62. That was 62 percent lower than July's high.

Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) a day earlier unveiled a tablet computer called the Amazon Fire, a rival to Apple Inc's (AAPL.O) dominant iPad and another device to offer online streaming of TV and film entertainment.

The Amazon announcement, plus a report that Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) was planning to expand content available through its Xbox gaming console, likely weighed on Netflix shares, Merriman Capital analyst Eric Wold said.

"I think people are concerned about the competitive pressures," Wold said.

"As more competitors add content and add new ways for consumers to access that content, it could pose a risk to Netflix."

Wold has a "buy" rating on Netflix shares based on its position as an industry leader and long-term growth opportunities.

Bloomberg reported early on Thursday that Microsoft plans to offer online pay television service from Comcast Corp (CMCSA.O) and Verizon Communications Inc (VZ.N) through the Xbox Live streaming service as soon as next week.

Netflix has stumbled with a series of missteps in the past few months. The company announced an unpopular price increase for DVD service in July, failed to secure content from cable channel operator Starz beyond February and lowered subscriber forecasts in the face of customer cancellations.

CEO Reed Hastings further angered customers by separating the DVD and streaming services on different websites.

(Reporting by Lisa Richwine; editing by Andre Grenon)
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Comments (6)
socratesfoot wrote:
Netflix Limbo Time….How low can they go? Mail shipping liabilities and the problems managing a dual service have to seem pretty paltry now compared to new competition from rivals and the resulting market hit from 42% of your customers dragging your name through the mud.

Sep 29, 2011 2:40pm EDT  --  Report as abuse
socratesfoot wrote:
Netflix Limbo Time….How low can they go? Mail shipping liabilities and the problems managing a dual service have to seem pretty paltry now compared to new competition from rivals and the resulting market hit from 42% of your customers dragging your name through the mud.

Sep 29, 2011 2:40pm EDT  --  Report as abuse
Beachdudeca wrote:
If Amazon includes a Netflix application with the Kindle Fire then the churn rate will probably be flat regarding this new platform. Some users my opt for Prime but with a $199- Tablet they might also opt for Netflix. The new tablet has an impact on Apple not Netflix if they make available a Netflix application.
Not to say that I am bullish on Netflix, I still think this stock should be trading in the $20- -> $25- range, and even then I want the entire Netflix management team gone.
Of all the companies out there I could see Yahoo taking on Netflix and integrating it as a stand alone company with their social platfor.

Sep 29, 2011 2:55pm EDT  --  Report as abuse
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