Except that Netflix (just like the BBC service offering their shows) hasn't studied the usage patterns of its customers.
I highly doubt that is at all a correct statement for Netflix.
Your particular issue, is the same one i have, and if you actually look into why it is that way it is because the content owners don't want Netflix to have the full catalog. There is a trickle down pattern that the content creators/owners follow to maximize the revenue from a product, first it is broadcast fees for the live/first showing, then its DVD Sales/Physical rental income, then it's bargain bin distributions (which is what Netflix falls into for most of them).
Disney switching to Netflix is a big deal, and i hope that if they see the value init other content owners will see it too and switch over to them.