Quote from myoffices:
netflix is now going into gaming which is just as big for rentals.
So has done Redbox. People don't like to wait for games. Redbox's price is $2.12 and if you get it in the morning, you can have it until 9 pm the next evening, basicly for 2 days. That is $1 per day for a game. I don't even think they are making money at that price.
Netflix still hasn't came out with the games, and although I was excited about it, now that Redbox has it, I don't care for the NFLX games anymore, although obviously bigger selection. The other advantage of Redbox is when the game is a stinker, you can quickly (same day) return it and get a new one, no 4-5 days waiting.
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I think the whole Netflix story has been a "too good to be true" for users. But what is good for users is usually not good for the company. I simply couldn't see how they could make money with $8 per month fees, and now that users have been spoiled, it is hard to rise the price.
Studios didn't like the service and wanted bigger and bigger cuts, ISPs didn't like the service either. Competitors think they can copy it, but again, for too cheap, I don't think they can make it profitable...
The stock dropped 70% in 4 months. I have to agree with the OP, the bankruptcy might be really close. It is a shame, but again, a company needs to be profitable not just popular...
For weekend reading:
http://seekingalpha.com/article/307535-avoid-netflix-on-cash-flow-issues