Netflix has purchased the domain name DVD.com as part of a plan to improve user experience for its DVD-only customers.

The purchase was first spotted by Domain Name Wire, and Netflix later confirmed it to TechCrunch, saying, "In the U.S. we look to provide a great experience for our members, those who have DVD only, streaming only and those who have both."

Despite the new domain name -- which is currently redirecting to dvd.netflix.com -- the company says it has no plans for a second try at spinning its DVD service off into a separate business from streaming after the failure of Qwikster last year.

It does make sense for the company to give some special attention to its DVD subscribers, though. In Q4 2011, the company's 11.1 million DVD subscribers generated revenues of $370 million, compared to $476 from 21.6 million streaming subscribers.

[domainnamewire / techcrunch]

Bad news for fans of prehistoric time-travel drama Terra Nova: negotiations between 20th Century Fox and Netflix to continue the show online appear to have fallen through.

20th Century Fox hasn't released the actors from the cancelled show yet, but there don't appear to be any other networks willing to share the high cost of the show's prehistoric sets and special effects.

Previous shows Netflix has rescued after cancellation, including the beloved comedy <em>Arrested Development, don't come close to Terra Nova's budget.

[deadline]

The Internet will account for 57% of movie consumption this year, surpassing DVD and Blu-ray discs for the first time, according to a new report. But streaming and downloads will still only make up 12% of movie spending.

IHS Screen Digest says 3.4 billion movies will be streamed or bought online this year, up 135% from last year, but home entertainment revenues will still drop thanks to low-cost streaming services like Netflix and Hulu Plus.

Those services are much more popular than digital movie sales, accounting for 94% of online movie consumption in 2011, versus only 1.3% for movie downloads from stores like iTunes.

With streaming gaining popularity and revenue trending downward, studios may get increasingly aggressive with practices like keeping new releases away from Netflix for months after they're available to buy and rent.

[latimes]

Fox recently cancelled prehistoric time travel drama Terra Nova, despite a campaign by fans, but the show may get new life through Netflix.

Deadline reports that Netflix and production company 20th TV are in talks about continuing Terra Nova as a Netflix exclusive. A deal with Netflix would make sense, considering that the show had a much higher DVR viewership than its live ratings would suggest.

Netflix has already saved one Fox show, beloved comedy Arrested Development, but Terra Nova might be a taller order because of its huge effects budget. CGI dinosaurs don't come cheap.

20th TV has said it will try hard to find a new home for the show, so even if things don't work out with Netflix, another network may be interested.

[deadline]

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has reportedly been in talks with cable providers about adding Netflix streaming to their set-top boxes as an additional on-demand option.

Cable companies haven't always been on the best terms with Netflix, seeing it as a threat to their business, but Reuters reports that at least one company is considering experimenting with Netflix by the end of the year.

Hastings has been comparing Netflix to premium cable network HBO in recent investor meetings, saying he sees cable as "a natural direction" for the company.

"Many (cable service providers) would like to have a competitor to HBO, and they would bid us off of HBO," he told investors last week.

If Netflix were to add a cable tv service, the company would have to rework its deals with movie studios and other content providers. Current agreements don't allow the company to deliver movies via cable boxes.

Netflix hasn't yet commented on the rumored partnership talks.

[reuters]