Another Day, Another Apology From Netflix; Calls Americans Self-Absorbed

Netflix PR people must be having quite a week. First, the company had to apologize for hiring actors to pretend to be excited Canadian customers to the press, and then CEO Reed Hastings made a really bad joke to a reporter, when asked if Americans would get upset about the fact that Netflix was cheaper in Canada. In response, Hastings called Americans self-absorbed and figured they wouldn't notice:

THR: American services when they enter the Canadian market typically charge the locals more than they charge stateside. Why the discount for Canadians?

Hastings: We want to provide an incredible value for Canadians, and it's the lowest price we have anywhere in the world for unlimited screenings. And anyone can try it for free for a month. It's pretty addictive.

THR: Are you concerned that American Netflix subscribers will look north and ask for the same discount Canadians get at $7.99?

Hastings: How much has it been your experience that Americans follow what happens in the world? It's something we'll monitor, but Americans are somewhat self-absorbed.

While it may have been true that most Americans wouldn't have noticed, making such a statement certainly called their attention to it... and so, off we go to yet another Netflix apology, where Hastings apologies for the "awkward joke" and talks about how great Americans are.

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