http://tags.gawker.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/gawker.com.png http://gawker.com/tag/valleywag/reedhastings http://gawker.com/tag/valleywag/reedhastings The trade in DVDs by mail that Netflix pioneered will be a business in decline within five to ten years according to CEO Reed Hastings. But he's bullish about online delivery, not surprising considering the recent release of the Roku set-top box. "Our key challenge is growing earnings per share and subscribers while funding streaming (online video) which should give us years of subscriber and earnings expansion." [Reuters] (Photo by AP/Paul Sakuma)

]]> http://gawker.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=393791&view=rss&microfeed=true In a conference call yesterday, CEO Reed Hastings of Netflix explained to analysts that the company's profits were down partly due to investment in the online delivery of movies. He also revealed that the company has signed deals with four manufacturers, including LG, the large Korean conglomerate. Netflix's partners have agreed to build the ability to watch movies downloaded from Netflix directly into their hardware, and promised to deliver these products by the fourth quarter — just in time for the holiday shopping season. Netflix customers wouldn't have to pay for individual titles, just their normal monthly subscription fee, similar to Netflix's current Web-based movie distribution service. What he didn't say, but we're wondering: Will LG and the others get a cut of the fees, as Apple does from AT&T for the IPhone? (Photo by AP/John Todd)

]]> http://gawker.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=382801&view=rss&microfeed=true Microsoft and Netflix may partner to offer movie downloads over Xbox Live. An announcement would likely come tomorrow, at the Game Developer's Conference. Netflix CEO Reed Hastings is a member of Microsoft's board of directors. [MSNBC]

]]> http://gawker.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=358292&view=rss&microfeed=true NBC Universal, in its ongoing effort to throw Steve Jobs into a jealous rage, is wooing every other feller with a video service in sight. In its man-harem: Jeff Bezos, with Amazon Unbox, and Jason Kilar, CEO of its joint venture with News Corp. Hulu. Add to the list Netflix CEO Reed Hastings. NBC has wooed Hastings into a syndication deal. As Apple used to do on iTunes, Netflix will offer new episodes of Heroes the day after they air, alongside a library of prior 30 Rock, Friday Night Lights, and The Office shows. Looks like someone can finally stop whining about the gaping hole left by the iTunes pullout.

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