Netflix price hike

[Flip]

So, i got an e-mail that my $9.99 a month 1 disk at a time and unlimited streaming option was now going to be split into two categories. They want to charge me $8 a month for the 1 disk at a time and then $8 more for unlimited streaming. A 60% increase in costs for a customer like me. I realized how little i used netflix lately so im just going to cancel the thing altogether and tell them to stuff it. I used to use it all the time, but i guess my interests go in cycles. It will be a pain to find a way to watch shows like Dexter, but +60% is pretty ridic. If they had more stuff streaming, like the newly released shows, then i would be willing to just pay for that.

[Mully]

I may drop them on 9/1. Streaming is a joke, unless you like MegaCrocasauers or Asylum movies (there are some rare gems to find). A dollar or two price increase, yeah, I could accept that. Grandfather our plans? Hell yeah! A 60% increase, HELL NO!

Netflix facebook page is amazing. Yesterday 30,000+ comments, today, 57000+! Basically all say they will drop netflix.

[Lox]

I think people are blowing this out of proportion honestly. Yeah, it's a 60% increase, but it's only a few dollars more a month IF you want to keep the DVD rental. We barely use that part so I'll probably just cut that piece. There is still so much Instant Queue content for me to watch that it's worth the price. But, then again, that depends on the person and if it's not worth it, then you're better off canceling.

Also, before people blame Netflix, I'd much more quickly blame the companies that own the rights to the movies/shows that Netflix wants to release. They're the ones who are charging a ridiculous amount for the licenses. They're the ones who are forcing Netflix to wait a month before having new titles. Netflix is a business after all. If the cost to supply DVD rentals and the cost to supply Instant Queue rentals are both high, then they probably should charge equal amounts for each piece. When Instant Queue streaming started, it was like a bonus to having the DVD rental plan, but now it's become equally or more important to their business, so it should be treated as such.

Also, Netflix wants to get out of the DVD rental business eventually, so this is probably them laying the groundwork for that.

[Mully]

[Flip]

I remember that they JUST had a price increase recently, though. Two in one year? C'mon... Im more inclined to also just get the streaming, but it seems like $8 is a lot for only old stuff. Then again, $8 for one disk at a time seems like a lot, too.... guh, they are overpricing things by just $1 or 2.

[Shrinweck]

The price hike is disappointing but if you spend several hours a week on Instant Watch and watch at least one DVD a week it's still an incredible deal. And if you can't find anything to watch on Instant Watch you aren't looking very hard if at all. Also, on certain nights Netflix streaming accounts for at least a quarter to a third of the United States' bandwidth. Sure it's dirt cheap but good God it can't be THAT cheap. And, yeah, the first thing I IM'd Tess yesterday was something along the lines of "WTF 60% increase!" but it's six fucking dollars and let's face it a good amount of us can cancel streaming or DVDs a month.

[Anarky]

"When did instantaneous access to every movie ever made for 8 dollars become a human rights issue?"

We only use streaming at this point, no big deal to us. If need be there is always redbox. People are being ridiculous about this.

[Eric]

Where in god's name is Zeus? These types of moves bring out his best rants, and worst puns and plays on company names!

[Lox]

Anyone taking bets on the name he's going to give to Netflix? Netfux perhaps? Maybe Netdicks?

[Zeus]

Just to keep my fan (Eric) happy:

Motherfucking Netshits (Lox, that was so easy I'm amazed you missed it)! Not only are these pieces of shit obsolete with torrents for movies that a) anyone can find and b) can download faster and actually KEEP by using torrents, they want to charge you EXTRA for it? When it's free!?! Jesus H. Christ! Who the fuck do they think they are charging you for something you can get for free EVERYWHERE else, Microsoft? (that was waaay to easy a jab to pass up :-)

On a side note, Netflix is still $8 a month in Canada, hasn't gone up in price. But the selection is so shitty up here it ain't even worth that low cost.

[Flip]

Just to keep my fan (Eric) happy:

Motherfucking Netshits (Lox, that was so easy I'm amazed you missed it)! Not only are these pieces of shit obsolete with torrents for movies that a) anyone can find and b) can download faster and actually KEEP by using torrents, they want to charge you EXTRA for it? When it's free!?! Jesus H. Christ! Who the fuck do they think they are charging you for something you can get for free EVERYWHERE else, Microsoft? (that was waaay to easy a jab to pass up :-)

On a side note, Netflix is still $8 a month in Canada, hasn't gone up in price. But the selection is so shitty up here it ain't even worth that low cost.

lol, A+.

[Eric]

Just to keep my fan (Eric) happy:

Motherfucking Netshits (Lox, that was so easy I'm amazed you missed it)! Not only are these pieces of shit obsolete with torrents for movies that a) anyone can find and b) can download faster and actually KEEP by using torrents, they want to charge you EXTRA for it? When it's free!?! Jesus H. Christ! Who the fuck do they think they are charging you for something you can get for free EVERYWHERE else, Microsoft? (that was waaay to easy a jab to pass up :-)

On a side note, Netflix is still $8 a month in Canada, hasn't gone up in price. But the selection is so shitty up here it ain't even worth that low cost.

I am sated.

[Julius Seeker]

It's not $8.00 for one or $8.00 for the other service?

Honestly, I didn't even know about the DVD shipment part. I guess we don't have access to that up here.

Netflix is a steal, even if it were $30 a month (one single PPV Sports event usually costs 35-50 dollars - and movie cinema tickets are usually at least 18 for a pair). if you actually use it. Even though my experience with it was that after two months or so I didn't really have any wish to watch it; even though having access to all of those documentaries was a huge temptation. It's one of those things that I think I would only use a max of one day a week. The only non-documentary shows and movies I felt like watching I already had on DVD or Bluray (I am a huge fan of cheesy action flicks that don't star Sylvester Stalone; most of those retail for $5 or less on DVD, and increasingly on Bluray) - and many of those weren't even available on Netflix; Rome, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld, Hercules, Xena, Tudors, Borgias, etc... At least here in Canada, since some of them were in the database, I assume you lucky-assed Americans get that stuff =P

Another thing that I disliked about Netflix, at least here, is the lack of additional features that are available on DVD and Bluray. Netflix, overall, was just not for me. Or at least that's what I tell myself... 2 bucks a week or less is very cheap.

[Zeus]

Amazingly, I actually have nothing against Netflix. I actually think the price is fine even though the selection ain't that hot. I won't bother getting it myself as I tend to watch the newer stuff not the older, but it's certainly priced right up here. Even I could watch about 10 movies or even some TV shows a month. $1 or less per movie? A perfectly fine price even though you can just as easily get it for free

[Eric]

I've never used Netflix myself, but out of curiosity how many of you actually mailed off and returned DVDs and such?

If I did use Netflix I'd probably only use the streaming service.

[Shrinweck]

I have months where I'll probably receive 8-12 DVDs in a month and then I'll have a string of several months where I don't return them. I've since downgraded to streaming and one DVD and with this I'll probably downgrade to the streaming only option before the deadline. The streaming library for TV shows is pretty god damned amazing even if the movie selection isn't in comparison.

[Kupek]

The streaming library for TV shows is pretty god damned amazing even if the movie selection isn't in comparison.

Indeed it is, which is why I love Netflix and I would pay more than $8 a month for the service.

[Lox]

My wife and I use the DVD service a bit. We haven't in the last month because we're been tearing through all of the Harry Potter movies. I asked her if she'd be ok with me dropping the DVD part of the plan and she said no.

[Kupek]

Interesting take on the motivations behind the change: http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2 ... -problems/

Personally, I think there will be a day when Netflix stops mailing physical discs. I think they are counting on this, too. Online streaming content is the future.

[Shrinweck]

Article brings up a good point about independent/small movies not really getting anything from Netflix. While typically, from what I've heard from interviews and podcasts and the like, smaller actors are just happy to have the exposure, I'm sure some money would be nice, too. Netflix is one of the reasons AT&T recently established bandwidth caps... except somewhat unsuccessfully since they basically unable to enforce them for many customers (UVERSE, DSL). Thank God.

It'll be interesting to see what happens to ISPs and movie studios as Netflix grows. People may complain and threaten to cancel their subscriptions but let's not forget that the alternative cable television deals typically cost well over $100 a month. As more and more bandwidth is dedicated to Netflix and people are less and less willing to shell out their money for premium cable, there's certainly going to be some changes coming. Are cable providers going to attempt to to have progressively more aggressive bandwidth caps or are they going to try to compete with Netflix with services like HBO Go? I think the older generations might stick with normal cable provision. My Dad is nearly as tech savvy as I am and still basically never uses his instant watch account. Every once and a while he'll express interest in watching something but gives up after I've told him it's like two minutes away from being watchable on his television through Netflix.

[Lox]

Netflix's CEO has publicly stated that he wants Netflix to eventually provide only streaming services. One thing I've always liked about Netflix is that they seem to have a solid longterm business plan and they seem to set the standards rather than follow them. I have no doubt that the separation of DVD from streaming services plays in to a longterm plan to drop DVD rentals eventually (though not in the near future necessarily).

Blockbuster's issue, for example, seems to be that they became a reactive company. They started online rentals because they were reacting to Netflix. They started BB Express because they were reacting to Redbox. It's the reason they've had so much trouble, too, I think.

[Zeus]

Personally, I think there will be a day when Netflix stops mailing physical discs. I think they are counting on this, too. Online streaming content is the future.

Gonna be a while before the infrastructure catches up to that. Then you have to have capless access otherwise it'll die quickly. Imagine how much more bandwidth is used if your momma used Netflix. We'll see if our regulators will force that to happen, particularly up here in Canada.

[Julius Seeker]

I just got Netflix again.... Bastards forced me to convince myself to do so =)

Anyway, it's worse now because I have it on 3DS and iPhone, so now it's where-ever I go.

[Kupek]

My mom doesn't use Netflix, but everyone in my peer group does. I don't have cable, I only use Netflix. I haven't run into any problems.

[Flip]

If there was a way to get HBO Go without a cable subscription i would cancel my cable and sign up for:

- Netflix - $8
- HBO Go - lets just say $20
- Hulu - $9.99
- MLB Premium - $6.66 ($80 for the year)

$44.65 a month as opposed to $90 for my DirecTV. I can live without cartoon network and cooking channel, but i do watch that stuff now because i can. Shows on AMC and FX (i watch Breaking Bad, Walking Dead and Sons of Anarchy) can probably be found somewhere on the net, too, without being super illegal sketchy.

This would be nice.

[Lox]

I've heard that HBO is working on providing HBOGo as a separate service at some point in the future.

The Hulu+, Netflix, HBOGo option is pretty enticing.

[Julius Seeker]

HBO + Showtime are the premium channels I want, but no cable.

[Shrinweck]

HBO is great and all but I'm not paying $20/month for essentially one hour-ish show a week.

[Shellie]

I feel y'alls pain. If we didnt get cable(and broadband) practically free, I don't know what we would have. It's expensive!

No I can't get you free cable

[Eric]

I have every HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, Encore, etc.

[Kupek]

Netflix just added all of Star Trek - all of it, all series, all episodes - to streaming. And the original series' movies. I'm making my way through the recent (from 2005 on) episodes of Doctor Who. All of this for $8 is insanity. I would pay $20 a month for this, easy.

[Lox]

Netflix just added all of Star Trek - all of it, all series, all episodes - to streaming.

Not DS9 (yet?). That's the one I wanted to re-watch first.

Even with DS9, it's still an incredible deal. I want to start TNG soon.

[Kupek]

Netflix just added all of Star Trek - all of it, all series, all episodes - to streaming.

Not DS9 (yet?). :( That's the one I wanted to re-watch first.

Even with DS9, it's still an incredible deal. I want to start TNG soon.

Huh, really? I didn't realize that. Seems like an odd omission. DS9 was well-liked, but I don't think it's a case of not-getting-the-good-stuff because I think TNG was more popular.

[Lox]

Yeah, I don't know why DS9 isn't in there. Maybe the rights for DS9 aren't available yet. I hope it shows up at some point.

[Shrinweck]

Google search returned a hit about DS9 coming to Instant Watch on October 1st.

[Julius Seeker]

I always thought Deep Space 9 was the least liked of the series.

[Lox]

I always thought Deep Space 9 was the least liked of the series.

No, that's Enterprise...easily.

Personally, I prefer DS9 over Voyager. The first season of DS9 was pretty bad, but once it became more serious and the fighting with the Dominion started, it was really, really good.

[Kupek]

I always thought Voyager was the least liked, and I thought many people liked DS9.

[Julius Seeker]

I forgot about Enterprise, that one was easily the most disliked. I don't think I even know anyone who watched it.

Overall, I found Deep Space 9 was more for the crowd who is interested in Home State Federation politics, their border conflicts, and that sort of thing, and not so much on exploring strange new worlds and boldly going where no human has gone before; which is what Voyager, Next Generation, and the Original Series were about.


Voyager I liked a lot, it was the first series I got into in the franchise; I started watching it when they first met up with the Borg - which I felt was the best race in the star Trek universe. Maybe my experience with Deep Space 9 would have been better if I had watched Next Generation first - as it seems to be tied more to that series -, but I felt completely uninterested in what was going on; some war with Cardassians and the Gamma Quadrant, and tons of the episodes were about only that. The part I liked best was the first episode with the Borg battle; but I was disappointed to learn that the series didn't have anything to do with the Borg.

I watched Next Generation a couple of years ago, and probably about as much; but I liked the characters of the Doctor and 7 of 9 the best over everyone in the franchise.... I would have liked to have gotten into Deep Space 9 as I felt some of the characters were cool, but it was too.... stationary, I think would be the word. Not enough adventure.

[Lox]

DS9 was at its best when they were at odds with Dominion. There were some really, really good episodes.

My issue with Voyager, even though I enjoyed it overall, was that I strongly disliked a bunch of the characters. I couldn't stand Tuvok, Chakotay, Neelix, or Kes. I was about 50/50 with Janeway.

[Julius Seeker]

I didn't really like the Dominion conflict angle. Mostly because I didn't find them interesting - just a bunch of war ships, desolate seeming planets, and military organization. I more liked the Star Trek races which had some sort of interesting aspect about their society and culture; there were a lot of interesting ones in both Voyager and Next Generation. I also can't help to associate the name "Dominion" with Supermarkets.

I did think that the opening episode of Deep Space 9, with the Borg attack, was fairly cool though.


Chakotay, I agree he is a turd. I found his character to be boring. I am not overly familiar with Kes, I didn't really watch the first 3 seasons, and I didn't buy them later; Mostly because they didn't have 7 of 9 in them, and I can't really imagine the crew without her in it since she's essentially the #2 character. Kes was only in those first three seasons, and like 2 or 3 other episodes. Tuvak I liked as a character. Neelix felt more like a background character, so he didn't really bother me; he's also my niece's favourite character, so I can't really dislike him =P

[Anarky]

All of this for $8 is insanity. I would pay $20 a month for this, easy.

Agreed!

I grew up on Next Generation because my dad would always watch it... plus it followed the Simpsons. You can't beat Patrick Stewart!

[Shrinweck]

In any case I've been making my way through TNG for the first time and the Darmok episode was so good that I'm not sure any Star Trek series could top it as a one-off.

[Julius Seeker]

The Darmok episode I would say, is undeniably one of the very best episodes ever in the franchise history.

[SineSwiper]

Still like Barley's character in TNG. The Nth Degree is probably my favorite episode from that series:

Barclay: Computer, begin new program. Create as follows: workstation chair. Now, create a standard alphanumeric console, positioned for the left hand. Now an iconic display console, positioned for the right hand. Tie both consoles into the Enterprise main computer core, utilizing neural-scan interface.
Enterprise Computer: There is no such device on file.
Barclay: No problem. Here's how you build it.

[Imakeholesinu]

Netflix just announced yesterday that they will have all 4 seasons of Mad Men on streaming. While this is fine and dandy, I pay for Premier from DirecTV which gives me HBO Go access. Just got a new SmarTV from Samsung and if I hook that up to the interwebs I'll be able to watch HBO Go on my TV directly.

[Lox]

Yay...Mad Men on Netflix! That's awesome news!

[Shrinweck]

That's impressive I hope that it's the beginning of a new deal with AMC.

Edit: Maybe not when Mad Men alone cost them ~39 million.

Edit 2: LoL at people bitching about the quality of TNG as if Netflix could go back in time and shoot in HD.

[Shrinweck]

Holy shit, they put all of the anime Monster up on Netflix. This series has been totally fucked over by the people who bought the rights to it as you can only buy, like, a fifth of the series physically and then the only other place to buy it is on iTunes where they want WAY too much. In any case, I may have to pause my viewing of TNG to give Monster another watch. They also wanted way too much for the physical copy, citing reasons of it not selling well, they stopped putting out physical copies. Idiots. Well, this is an awesome series and doesn't feature any glow-y super beings, aliens, or special abilities of any kind - so yay for Netflix branching out.

Edit: In the original Japanese woohoo

[Blotus]

Netflix just announced yesterday that they will have all 4 seasons of Mad Men on streaming.

Wait, just now?

It's been available on the Canadian Netflix for months, yet a great deal of the American catalogue is not available here.