Bad News for Netflix Subscribers

Published on July 13, 2011 By DrJBHL In Personal Computing

Many of us got bad news from Netflix yesterday:

“The company's new $7.99-per-month plan, offered at a new page on the Netflix site, allows users to have one DVD out a time on an unlimited basis. According to a Netflix salesperson who spoke to CNET today, those who want to include Blu-ray discs in the new plan will need to pay $9.99 per month. Internet streaming of video content is not included. If customers want two DVDs out at a time, they will need to pay $11.99 per month.

Netflix also announced today that those who want both DVD rentals and unlimited streaming will need to start paying more. Instead of paying the current $9.99-per-month fee for unlimited streaming and unlimited DVD rentals, customers will need to pay $15.98 a month for a single DVD out a time, paying almost 60 percent more for the same service. The company said the fee includes $7.99 for unlimited streaming and $7.99 for its new bare-bones plan. Those who want two DVDs out a time will need to pay $19.98 per month.” - CNET

So….

“There are no more hybrid plans that offer access to DVDs and Internet streaming. There's a separate plan now for DVDs and separate plan for streaming. Each costs $7.99 per month (for 1 disc at a time). To access discs and Web video you have to pay for both plans and that means $15.98 a month.” – ibid

Unfortunately folks, if you rent a flick on Amazon or YouTube or Redtop, it’ll cost $2.99 – 3.99 per. So… using my trusty slide rule I figure at 5 – 6 movies per month, I’ll be paying more than at Netflix.

So… I figure to be at Netflix for a bit longer. Maybe they’ll even increase the quality and number of Action movies. Who knows?

Comments (Page 2)

Wizard1956

on Jul 13, 2011

Cable going up, internet service going up, movies going up. It's getting to a point where a guy can't afford to sit on his ass anymore.

k10w3

on Jul 13, 2011

Well....I guess the public library just got a lot more attractive!

Snarkotamus

on Jul 13, 2011

1977......banned from library for life........drat

RedneckDude

on Jul 13, 2011

Looks to me like my fees won't change. Unless I'm missing something.

ZombiesRus5

on Jul 13, 2011

k10w3

reply 17

Well....I guess the public library just got a lot more attractive!

I wonder where libraries will get their books and dvd's when everything is digitally distributed?... Will they let you checkout to your Kindle? I doubt it.

I'll be dropping my account down to streaming only (3 DVDs + Streaming now) on September 1st. The DVD part has really already run it's course. I feel like we stole the current set sitting on the entertainment center (i.e. table with the TV on it).

They'll get less money from me, but I wonder if it will be a net gain for them in the end without the DVD distribution.

DrJBHL

on Jul 13, 2011

Yours won't change, Jim... same as I.D.'s plan if I read his reply#1 correctly.

k10w3

on Jul 13, 2011

RedneckDude

reply 19

Looks to me like my fees won't change. Unless I'm missing something.

The change is suppose to take effect in September.

happyboy7

on Jul 13, 2011

Wizard1956

reply 16

Cable going up, internet service going up, movies going up. It's getting to a point where a guy can't afford to sit on his ass anymore.

Hahahaha!!! That's so funny!!!

natas2

on Jul 13, 2011

Snarkotamus

reply 18

1977......banned from library for life........drat

I'm sure there is a great story there somewhere...who get's banned from a library?

natas2

on Jul 13, 2011

Netflix also announced today that those who want both DVD rentals and unlimited streaming will need to start paying more. Instead of paying the current $9.99-per-month fee for unlimited streaming and unlimited DVD rentals, customers will need to pay $15.98 a month for a single DVD out a time, paying almost 60 percent more for the same service. The company said the fee includes $7.99 for unlimited streaming and $7.99 for its new bare-bones plan. Those who want two DVDs out a time will need to pay $19.98 per month.”

That paragraph is confusing. This is how the plan actually works and will work with the changes.

Netflix also announced today that those who want both DVD rentals and unlimited streaming will need to start paying more. Instead of paying the current $9.99-per-month fee for unlimited streaming and unlimited DVD rentals (single DVD out at a time), customers will need to pay $15.98 a month for that plan, paying almost 60 percent more for the same service. The company said the fee includes $7.99 for unlimited streaming and $7.99 for its new bare-bones (single DVD out at at time) plan. Those who want two DVDs out a time will need to pay $19.98 per month.” (CNET writers suck)

In simple terms, if you had the $9.99 unlimited streaming and 1 DVD out at a time plan, it will now cost you $15.98.

2of3

on Jul 13, 2011

natas2

reply 24

I'm sure there is a great story there somewhere...who get's banned from a library?

http://www.stephenking.com/library/novella/library_policeman_the.html

natas2

on Jul 13, 2011

2of3

reply 26

Quoting natas2, reply 24I'm sure there is a great story there somewhere...who get's banned from a library?

http://www.stephenking.com/library/novella/library_policeman_the.html

Not quite what I'm imagining. This guy got banned. Not terrorized.

Cykur

on Jul 13, 2011

Netflix is still a pretty good deal, assuming you watch several movies a month. When they started, they got very favorable licensing deals that allowed them to grow and be profitable, but now that streaming content is getting more popular, the movie studios want MUCH more money to renew contracts for content licensing. Netflix needs to make more money to compete with companies that have huge cash reserves like Google who could usurp them overnight if they outbid them for licensing contracts from the studios.

DrJBHL

on Jul 13, 2011

Didn't confuse me.

navigatsio

on Jul 13, 2011

Wizard1956

reply 16

Cable going up, internet service going up, movies going up. It's getting to a point where a guy can't afford to sit on his ass anymore.

That is funny!

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