Netflix Jacks Up Prices, But Unveils Cheaper Streaming Plan

[Tom Goldman]

Netflix Jacks Up Prices, But Unveils Cheaper Streaming Plan

A new Netflix subscription plan seems like it was made for those that only use the service on game consoles.

Netflix slowly crept its way into each of the big three videogame consoles of the current generation, first having Wii [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/89019-Netflix-Finds-Movie-Rental-Riches-on-Xbox-Live] owners. The service has proved popular on the systems, and Netflix has recently come out with a new, slightly cheaper plan that ensures their users never have to deal with the pesky mail again.

Today, Netflix unveiled a streaming-only subscription plan that has been in the works for a while [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/89733-Netflix-Prepares-Streaming-Only-Subscriptions]. The new plan will cost $7.99 a month and includes no DVD rentals, but simply all the streaming television shows and movies you want.

But isn't that just $1 cheaper than Netflix's previous lowest cost plan, you might ask? No, it's $2 cheaper, because Netflix also recently jacked up its prices by around $1 per DVD of its current plans. The single DVD plan now costs $9.99, the two DVD plan costs $14.99, the three DVD plan is $19.99, and so on. Netflix says the slight price hike is to accommodate the rising number of users streaming movies online, which has outpaced the people watching DVDs by mail.

I know, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 are DVD players themselves, but the new streaming-only plan seems like at least a partial nod to those using their gaming consoles for Netflix. It's much easier to search for a movie or television show on the consoles and watch it instantly, sort of like the instant gratification of a game, rather than waiting for it through the mail. Sure, the selection isn't as large as the DVD plans, but it's constantly growing. The new streaming-only plan is available now, so if you want to swap from your existing subscription go here [https://www.netflix.com/SubscriptionChange].

Source: Netflix blog [http://blog.netflix.com/2010/11/new-plan-for-watching-instantly-plus.html]

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[Moriarty70]

Congrats, now your streaming plan is on par with Canada's. We can't have anything nice of our own.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

I'm downgrading. I've had the same DVD at my house for 2 months.

 

[TaboriHK]

It's unfortunate that some of the movies on instant queue watch like badly-taped copies off of Starz. I was watching Tears of the Sun on instant queue and it was muddy and unwatchable. Same with Jackass 2.5. Sometimes it evens out, but that can take up to twenty minutes. I got through half of gamer feeling like I needed Lasik surgery. Hopefully they up the quality and not just the quantity.


I just unwittingly displayed my bad taste in film. Oops!

 

[RatRace123]

I think I may have to switch my plan, I only exclusively use the streaming service, so this sounds awesome.

 

[rekabdarb]

Eff that, i'm trying to watch burn notice. That shit ain't on streaming yet

 

[sir.rutthed]

Now, if they'd put more stuff on streaming I'd consider getting this. As it is most of the good stuff is rent only.

 

[Tom Goldman]

Eff that, i'm trying to watch burn notice. That shit ain't on streaming yet

When you're a spy you find your own way to stream Burn Notice.

 

[Humble85]

They dont even got Netflix in germany. That sucks, because I really would like to use it to watch TV series - I am willing to pay, but NOOOOO! So all this news is doing is mock me!!! argh! /sad

 

[mjc0961]

Eff that, i'm trying to watch burn notice. That shit ain't on streaming yet

Right on man. Those bastards at Netflix need to start eating their yogurt and streaming some awesome spy shows before Chuck Finley shows up at their door with his good pal Mr. Slicey.

When you're a spy you find your own way to stream Burn Notice.

I assume this process will involve the use of "some other stuff"?

 

[unicron44]

Did they take my instant queue because that looks really familar. I have the two DVD plan (which I just switched to), but I watch my movies right away so I could easily go back to the one DVD plan.

 

[duchaked]

I'm currently using the Blockbuster mail-in game rentals
mailing takes time and new releases aren't available for a bloody long time so I wouldn't say it's great, but some plans are incredibly cheap and I guess I can still try out games I've missed over the past few months, and some free in-store trades for movies sooo it's aight

 

[Something Amyss]

Now, if they'd put more stuff on streaming I'd consider getting this. As it is most of the good stuff is rent only.

My problem exactly.

I'd love to stream more stuff, but my DVD queue outstrips my instant queue likew 12 to 1.

 

[PedroSteckecilo]

We don't have the Mail Service in Canada and I've been paying that price for Streaming since September.

 

[nohorsetown]

I signed up for Netflix about a month ago, and the streaming service has been pretty terrible. I'm sure part of it has to do with my spotty internet connection (bad wiring in the house), but trying to watch stuff on Netflix is actually a lot less reliable for me than Hulu, or pretty much anything else, internet-video-wise. Any time my connection slows a bit, it tries to re-buffer everything, and usually freezes completely. I also get frequent errors where the movie/show just won't load at all, but clearing out my entire internet history will usually temporarily fix that. Like I said, some of this has gotta be because my internets suck, but I highly doubt the entire problem is on my end.

The DVD service has been pretty awesome, though. Most movies I'm interested in are DVD-only, anyway. I'd rather see the opposite of the new streaming-only plan: a cheaper plan for 1 or 2 DVDs at a time, but with no streaming service.

(Still, I'm sure this would be awesome for most of you, with your reliable 'nets and all, so.. enjoy!)

 

[stdragon]

I loved Netflix but canceled it when I had watched most of the movies I was interested in that were available for streaming. I'll sign up again later when my queue runs deeper.

What I would really love is for Netflix to offer real-time or near-real-time premium channel content like HBO/Showtime. They have had some teasers/promos, like one time they showed episodes of Showtime's "The Tudors" (which sucked) at the same time that it was airing on TV. Awesome. Now make it 100% of the content and let me pay you the extra $12/month instead of my cable company.

 

[mattaui]

I'm glad Netflix announced this today since it reminded me I never used the $8.99 plan and I've had the same DVD sitting on my coffee table for months. So I just canceled it entirely.

 

[Cryo84R]

Perfect for those of us streaming from our iPhones and iPads.

 

[Worgen]

the only reason they are jacking up the price is to get more ppl to switch to streaming since it costs only a pittance for them compared to physical media which costs shipping

 

[rekabdarb]

Eff that, i'm trying to watch burn notice. That shit ain't on streaming yet

When you're a spy you find your own way to stream Burn Notice.

do they also do whatever work comes their way? do they also contact people who will still talk to them... possibly including a trigger happy ex-girlfriend or someone who used to inform on you to the FBI. Sometimes your mom... if your desperate. Bottom line is, spies apparently are illegal mexicans aliens