reed hastings

Google has had such a bad November thus far, it is almost as though Netflix chief Reed Hastings won a CEO-For-A-Week sweepstakes.

The web giant Google has reached Qwikster-esque heights of failure this past week, with a series of poorly-received redesigns, inoperable product launches and PR nightmares.

If you have been living under a rock for the last couple of weeks, you are probably not aware that Netflix dramatically increased its prices, separated its streaming and DVD by mail services and then branched the two services into two different companies.

You have also probably missed Netflix CEO Reed Hastings' apology and explanation of the debacle.

In case you fit this bill, here is the video:

Reed Hastings is very sad. I know, because today I got a very somber email from the Netflix Co-Founder and CEO (also posted here).

He's sad about the very negative reaction of Netflix subscribers to the recent fee increase.

He's also sad about something called "Qwikster" and red envelopes.

Reed Hastings apologizes for handling of recent price changes; says DVD mail biz will spin off into separate service called Qwikster

When Netflix dramatically increased its prices for some subscribers, we immediately suggested that the ridiculously high licensing deals that Hollywood has been demanding were to blame, and wondered if Hollywood was killing the golden goose, by strangling it with high fees.

I still think there's something to that, but Ken Doctor has an alternative take that's quite compelling.

Movie studios are none to happy by the growing decline in DVD sales.