‘’Either I keep the price point low and give you a library of unreleased old titles and go out of business, or I give you the best films (both contemporary and classic) and grow our audience and build fantastic interfaces (PlayStation, TVs, iPad, etc. all coming the next 12 months) for you to access these films.’’
Perhaps that’s the question I should be asking.
For those in Australia (cause this thread is about that)- is there a increase of content scheduled in the future ?
Thanks Efe, all I really wanted was honesty about the situation.
If I had received an email explaining that the current price point was unsustainable I would have reacted differently. But that is not what we received. Instead we were told that this was a currency conversion issue and a “slight adjustment”, with the implication that it was something “long-awaited” by us.
I’m sorry that there are only 37 of us in Australia. It’s really a shame, since most of the cinema fans I know here (including writers and directors) would love it but have never heard of it. There has been no publicity as far as I saw at the film festivals or cinematheques, which are usually full to overflowing. I only found it by accident when I was searching for “Al-Mumiya”. I subscribed the same day, because I loved what you were doing.
I have worked in the film industry, and I know perfectly well how hard it is. You spend most of your time begging people to let you do stuff for nothing.
I am grateful for your passionate defense of the site and its integrity – I want to believe in it too, because these films mean so much, and allowing everyone to see them is a fantastic thing. If my comments sound bitter it is because so many worthy projects have been white-anted by rapacious corporate interests – but I also know that many great initiatives have been brought down by insufficient income streams.
Is it possible to offer two kinds of subscription, one for the “unreleased old titles” and one including the new releases? Then we would have a choice as to what we pay. I would be happy to stay as a subscriber and support your existing project. I’m sure many people will want to sign up to the full subscription, and the lower price point would definitely encourage others to start using your site and find out what they are missing.
Yes EFE, your last email has clarified things a bit more for me as well.
In providing us with a few harsh figures, that demonstrate the unsustainability of the service as it currently is, I feel somewhat pacified. AS Duino said, if you had’ve said this in the first place, I doubt I would’ve reacted so harshly.
Under the conditions you have described, I think the 3 month discount is a generous offer. I am still not sure if I will continue beyond this. Generally I watch 2 or 3 films per month on Mubi – which is mostly due to time constraints. At $8-$10 this was reasonable, but at $20 it’s a bit steep. However I will keep an eye on how the films grow & see if my viewing habits change and maybe then I will change my mind.
I hope the PS3 move brings in more subscriptions for Mubi. I think that $19.95 to new Australian subscribers (whom will be unaware that the service used to be much cheaper), will appear quite reasonable to many – so wish you the best of luck.
For what it is worth, I will cancel the subscription.
I just cant justify the price for the content that is available in our region.
If it changes however, I will reconsider.
Mubi is a brilliant concept and a fantastic online service and I am proud to be one of that rare species, a New Zealand subscriber (can there truly be fewer than 12 of us?). When I accidentally discovered Mubi a few months ago I exclaimed “This is too good to be true!” And thus it seems, at least at current rates but the fact that someone had the vision and drive to set up a site dedicated to auteur films is itself heartening and exciting and exactly what we always thought should be possible on the internet. Hurrah!
That said, the recent batch of poorly informed emails from the Mubi support team had us thinking Just what is Mubi up to? As others on the forum point out, none of us was waiting for or wanted a switch in currency payments. Why would we when the US$ is sinking? And a 300% increase in charges can hardly be described as ‘slight’. The subsequent email and response to forum comments from Efe explain more precisely the practical reasons for the price hike.
The price hike will doubtless prove off-putting for some, but here in NZ mainstream movie tickets
cost $15 or more and overnight recent-release DVD rentals around $7, so $6.95 per Mubi film remains competitive and wins hands down in terms of convenience. For me, the big question is whether the collection of movies available to watch in our area will grow at rate sufficient to maintain viewer interest. There are at present about 550 movies of assorted quality and age accessible to NZ viewers but it is irksome that most of the films listed on site that appeal to our taste are not available for viewing in this area. When might this change, I wonder?
I also wonder why subscription rates in Australia and New Zealand are so low and suspect that the only reason is that people do not know about it. Here in New Zealand thousands of people enjoy alternative screenings of auteur films through local Film Societies where you pay an annual membership subscription then watch weekly FS films for free – see Members also receive concessions at major film festival which are themselves extremely popular and well attended. This being the case, I am sure that both FS and film festival organisations in Australia and NZ could potentially boost Mubi subscriptions if someone in the Mubi support team sought to promote Mubi through them.
Given the latest changes I will probably cancel our subscription in favour of the per/view payment option. While this incurs the disadvantage of having to live with bad movie choices, it better reflects our frequency of use in financially straightened times. Finally, I do not know if the name Mubi has any meaning beyond the imaginary but around here it has taken on the connotation of something that is just too good to be true. Thanks Efe, and long may such delightful surprises continue!
Simon C
Hello everyone,
Thank you for understanding the reason behind our move. I want to stress two things.. First, this new price point will allow us to bring more films to our audience and not just library titles but new releases as well. So, you could either pay $60 for a family of four in a theater (plus travel, etc.), or pay $6.95 on MUBI and watch it in HD (soon) at home on your TV (via PlayStation starting next month, and internet-connected TVs later in 2011).
And second, our price point will only go down from this point. As we get more powerful, have a bigger audience, and prove the potential to generate revenue for our rightsowners, I will have the negotiating position to bring down the prices. It’s all about the best films on any device at a ridiculously low price point. That’s the plan, and that’s what will endure everybody in New Zealand (and the world for that matter) know about us rather than you amazing people who discovered us when this is just a vision.
In the meantime, I’m taking care of the price difference the next three months.
Now back to work..
I am not a subscriber, though now my previously deposited credit has a third of its value. It is not a lot of money, but what makes me disappointed in this move is that perhaps the dream of cheap available films is over. Mubi stood as a prime example of what a film industry could aspire too, availability at a good price, affordable enough that one would not have to resort to illegal downloads. It is not perhaps the operator’s fault, nor solely that of the individual rights holders, but the collective fault of an industry that fails to move forward and realise the futility of a copyright system based upon national boundaries, for a media that has none. Another one bites the dust and must fall to the lawyers and fees that such a situation implies. A large part of what Mubi was has now gone, that which was perhaps only a fleeting dream any way. So long Mubi, I will see you tonight in my sleep.
I hear what your saying Max. The individual payment for a film is frankly, untenable with this move. However to play devils advocate the best way to experience Mubi in my view was always the subscription path. This new pricing has only shifted that focus over even more.
In my view, EFE has explained the case for the rise well. I have chosen to continue supporting Mubi through continued subscription. If HD is going to be supported, the PS3 integration itself and more films on offer day and date with DVD is what the price increase is entailed than I’m behind it.
@smokepsd, that’s the plan. HD support in mid-2011, more films day and date with DVD (deal already signed with Hopscotch), availability of MUBI on various other platforms (development for iPad and connected-TVs underway), etc. We want to have the lowest price possible to be able to secure more and better content, and have an offering so compelling that price becomes a non issue. Thanks for the support.
@EFE, that’s fantastic news the signing of Hopscotch! Look forward to the first films to come from them. I’m a big fan of them actually. Own a fair number of their releases and I’m a big fan.
I think you mentioned Madmen before aswell in the works. Tremendously exciting times
I’m going to be in Sydney this week and will give a talk on Wednesday as part of the launch activities with PlayStation. If any of you would like to attend, please send an email to support @ mubi.com with your full name and we’ll get you into the invite list. thanks.
/efe
The very encouraging Sydney visit should get some needed attention. If I was not a two hour flight away, I would be there.
SmokeyPSD is right about Madmen. They have some of the worthwhile Australian films made for Australian audiences, but disappear after screening in major cities and are not always available in DVD rental stores.
Just arrived in Sydney.. I love this city!
We are talking to Madman. The launch will be a very significant catalyst for us to close on some of these deals we’ve been working on for a long time..
/efe
That’s great to hear efe. I’m originally from Sydney. It is a beautiful city. Currently in Canberra though so I won’t be able to make the launch function though I would’ve liked to.
Good luck with it!
Has your subscription gone through fine at the old rate guys? mine hasn’t seemed to go through at all yet. Add to that my subscription isn’t even valid anymore on the PS3 it wants me to resubscribe. It’s not letting me watch ANY films whatsoever but it’s completely fine still on my PC.
MUBI not only promptly acknowledged my inquiry to them on this matter, but has already “credited” my account to bring the cost down to 8 shekels the month.
At the end of this period my continuation of the service will depend on how many hits I have made per month on their website.
I suspect the cost per film will be low enough to continue and most certainly will if I see Umbrella, Madman, etc. on line.
With just a Mac and no PS3, I am encuntering no inconsistencies., Smokey.
DBS
Donn in Australia totally endorses SmokeyPSD comments, especially repudiating unjustified personal attacks.
They are counter productive. I also agree with: “I still can’t help but think that this new price point isn’t going to exactly help things right away in upping our community numbers.” It is more likely to discourage them.