Qwikster online since April

So, by now you've probably heard about the latest chapter in Netflix-fuffle. They're splitting their streaming service (Netflix proper, now) off from their DVD-mailing service, which is to be called Qwikster. Many commentators see this as a spur-of-the-moment decision, part of an effort at damage control after all the bad press they got from raising their rates by 60% and calling it a rate cut.

But, is it possible that the spin-off of Qwikster has been planned for months? There is a Qwikster twitter account that dates back to April of this year, suggesting that maybe it was.


Let's listen in, and see if anything from Qwikster's twitter feed gives any indication of future moves by the company. Note, these need to be translated out of Netflix's corporate lingo.

The plan had its origination when Netflix forgot the password to its Twitter account.

Then there was some infighting when the streaming service really started to outperform the DVD rental service.

The DVD service could have come back to outperform streaming, had it not been for interference from upper management.

It seems as if Netflix wants to cut the DVD service altogether, but is unwilling to commit to such a radical course of action.

The DVD rental division does not require detailed lists of customers with streaming-only subscriptions.

DVD rentals have dropped to the point that the rental section of the company is overstaffed.

See, it was all right there. If only we had looked.