Netflix Announces New Pricing Structure : Othor Games

» Wed Jul 13, 2011 7:01 am

http://blog.netflix.com/2011/07/netflix-introduces-new-plans-and.html

I don't have Netflix and have been thinking about signing up recently. I probably would only do the unlimited streaming for $7.99 plan, but for the combo of streaming + DVD it's now $15.98. Wasn't it cheaper than that before? What are your thoughts on the new plans/pricing?

» Wed Jul 13, 2011 7:17 am

When I checked a couple weeks ago it was only $2 more for unlimited DVD rentals, so yeah, it's definitely more now.

» Wed Jul 13, 2011 5:04 pm

Eh... if this means that they'll be adding more to the instant streaming catalog then awesome. Otherwise it doesn't matter to me as I don't do the whole DVD rental thing.

» Wed Jul 13, 2011 9:09 am

It doubled, basically. They are charging separately for streaming and DVDs

» Wed Jul 13, 2011 7:13 am

It was cheaper before. I really don't like this idea. For one, streaming is really lacking. I understand greedy Hollywood studios putting their heads in a vice, but there has to be a better solution.

» Wed Jul 13, 2011 5:05 pm

It doubled, basically. They are charging separately for streaming and DVDs

I didn't realize their DVD rental service was doing so well as to warrant an ~60% price increase.

As I said before, hopefully instant streaming will get a bit of a better selection, but I'm doubting it.

» Wed Jul 13, 2011 3:49 am

I wonder if we'll switch to just streaming, as that's basically all we use anyway.

» Wed Jul 13, 2011 3:33 pm

I stopped using their DVD service quite a while ago, their streaming service works just fine for me. Although, I do wish they had a better selection of well-known titles.

» Wed Jul 13, 2011 9:59 am

http://blog.netflix.com/2011/07/netflix-introduces-new-plans-and.html

I don't have Netflix and have been thinking about signing up recently. I probably would only do the unlimited streaming for $7.99 plan, but for the combo of streaming + DVD it's now $15.98. Wasn't it cheaper than that before? What are your thoughts on the new plans/pricing?

been a member for years, rarely watch blu-rays from my queue anymore, 99% of what I watch is netflix instant

» Wed Jul 13, 2011 12:02 pm

I didn't realize their DVD rental service was doing so well as to warrant an ~60% price increase.

The reason they increased the DVD pricing is not because it was popular. It's because the streaming service is so much more profitable.

» Wed Jul 13, 2011 11:00 am

I stopped using their DVD service quite a while ago, their streaming service works just fine for me. Although, I do wish they had a better selection of well-known titles.

Do they stream Blu-Ray /Hi-def? Or is it all Standard Def (480) ??

» Wed Jul 13, 2011 3:24 am

Do they stream Blu-Ray /Hi-def? Or is it all Standard Def (480) ??

A fairly good portion of their streaming selection is in HD. The more well-known titles on there are usually in HD, but even some of the lesser-known stuff is HD as well. The only movies/TV shows that really don't seem to be HD are the Starz Play titles, but they still look fairly decent when the stream fully loads.

» Wed Jul 13, 2011 6:17 am

Do they stream Blu-Ray /Hi-def? Or is it all Standard Def (480) ??

the majority of the programming is available what looks like 720p or 1080i, not as good as blu-ray (1080p), but still significantly better quality than NTSC (DVD quality). The streaming process is very smooth, movies start almost immediately and then after about 10 seconds the HD quality stream kicks in.

recently, however, I started watching Star Trek The Next Generation, which is only available in NTSC quality, because all the effects were mastered in NTSC.

» Wed Jul 13, 2011 12:24 pm

I would almost be fine with the price change if Netflix would at least try and get their streaming service on Linux.

» Wed Jul 13, 2011 3:09 am

Just another company trying to get more money out of their customers.

» Wed Jul 13, 2011 7:15 am

Just another company trying to get more money out of their customers.

Actually, I think they're trying to persuade more customers to switch to the lower monthly fee for the streaming service and stop getting DVDs in the mail.

In other words, they are attempting to get less money from each subscriber, but greater profit.

In my case, the tactic worked, because I was rarely watching Blu-rays in my queue anyways, due to the convenience of instant streaming.

» Wed Jul 13, 2011 8:31 am

Actually, I think they're trying to persuade more customers to switch to the lower monthly fee for the streaming service and stop getting DVDs in the mail.

In other words, they are attempting to get less money from each subscriber, but greater profit.

In my case, the tactic worked, because I was rarely watching Blu-rays in my queue anyways, due to the convenience of instant streaming.

I agree with this. There's no point in getting DVDs in the mail if you end up using streaming more anyways, and it saves Netflix on postage and replacement costs for discs.

» Wed Jul 13, 2011 1:07 pm

I would almost be fine with the price change if Netflix would at least try and get their streaming service on Linux.

It's coming to Chrome/Chromium. Chrome OS now has a plugin so people can use netflix, so it should only be a matter of time.

» Wed Jul 13, 2011 8:01 am

I would almost be fine with the price change if Netflix would at least try and get their streaming service on Linux.

As an alternative, most inexpensive $30-40 DVD players come with netflix pre-installed.

» Wed Jul 13, 2011 5:37 pm

I agree with this. There's no point in getting DVDs in the mail if you end up using streaming more anyways, and it saves Netflix on postage and replacement costs for discs.

I'd agree but not all titles are on Netflix. Though streaming saves Netflicks a metric [censored]ton of money as someone streaming a movie costs 10x less than them shipping a DVD. I got this from an article I read, so it's true not just speculation.

» Wed Jul 13, 2011 3:17 am

I'm glad I checked my email today. When I saw that I figured it was time to change my plan. Since I rareley ever use the rental service, I just decided to dump it altogether and stick with streaming only.

» Wed Jul 13, 2011 4:36 am

I didn't even know Netflix offered DVD rentals?

Man, us Canadians get the crap end of the stick. The most recent movie on there is Iron Man 2 still...

» Wed Jul 13, 2011 3:35 pm

The reason they increased the DVD pricing is not because it was popular. It's because the streaming service is so much more profitable.

then why is their unlimited DVD plan now as cheap as their unlimited streaming plan.

Anyway: streaming on Netflix is balls IMO. Crappy selection compared to their DVD plans, it takes forever for new stuff to be offered on it, and nowhere near the quality of Blu-ray.

» Wed Jul 13, 2011 4:15 pm

I just changed mine. I had DVD and Streaming unlimited for $9.99. I used maybe 1 DVD in the last 3 months. I changed to $7.99 for unlimited streaming.