Netflix Splits Streaming and DVD-by-Mail Services

[The Gnome King]

Makes sense to me and I don't think it's a way of "gouging" customers at all; I'd still say Netflix is one of the best entertainment deals out there.

When I look at what I am paying right now for premium cable HBO, Cinemax, and Showtime and compare that to Netflix's paltry $7.99 a month for *unlimited* streaming content I really have to say that Netflix is the better deal.

I also think people who cry "price gouging!" are forgetting what they used to pay a month in rental fees from the local Blockbuster... I mean, criminy, I used to pay over $30 a month easy in movie rentals when my wife and I would rent a lot of movies, and this was a decade ago.

If anything, my dollar goes a lot farther today than it used to and Netflix streaming is constantly adding content. I can watch odd, obscure movies; have titles recommended to me, and have classics like Star Trek: The Next Generation on a near-constant basis for $8 a month?

I mean... that's the cost of a McDonald's lunch... and people are complaining? Do they realize how much it costs Netflix to provide the streaming content? (Hint - a lot.)

 

[Jaime_Wolf]

It's not really the decision to increase the price that bothers me nearly so much as it is the way they're acting like they're doing some great service by charging me 60% more for the exact same thing. The announcement feels like it was written for a shareholder meeting rather than for customers - assuming you have reason to believe people will pay, of course it "makes great financial sense" for your company to charge more. But I don't subscribe to Netflix because it's financially savvy.

I especially like how they go out of the way in the posting to mention that they hadn't planned this when they first introduced streaming-only plans. Aside from the terrible writing of the actual press releases, Netflix is making some seriously intelligent PR moves: add a cheaper service and make it look like you're really aiming to provide customers with what they want at better prices while secretly planning to use it as a stepping stone for a gigantic price hike on the most popular plan.

I'm sure they have solid predictions for how many people they'll lose with this and I'm sure they wouldn't do it if they didn't think it'd make them more money, but it seems like such a terrible decision now that Amazon and Hulu are becoming more and more serious contenders in the streaming market and Redbox is absolutely blowing everyone else out of the water in terms of DVD rental. This seems like a business decision that would have made sense for Netflix a few years ago when it was the only such product on the market.

I would not be at all surprised if they released a more reasonable bundle later though. Pissing off a good portion of their customer base like this and then winning them back by suddenly "listening" to them would be a great PR move.

 

[00slash00]

Are you joking? I certainly can't rely solely on the streaming. More than half of what I want to watch is DVD only.

The amount of streaming devices has been lowered from 3 to 1, and now I have to pay MORE money for this lesser service?

Customers have a right to complain. Get over it.

almost all these comments are nothing but people bitching and whining and you tell me to get over it? thats funny. but your right, complaining about it here, a place where netflix will never see, is the logical place to voice complaints. and if its only available on dvd then maybe, and i know this is a radical idea, you just get in on dvd. will it really disrupt your life that much to have to wait 2 days for a movie? ya know, what netflix was originally. the outrage over this is almost as stupid as the kids on steam who threw a shitfit over having to pay an extra $2.50 for terraria

 

[Shy_Guy]

almost all these comments are nothing but people bitching and whining and you tell me to get over it? thats funny. but your right, complaining about it here, a place where netflix will never see, is the logical place to voice complaints. and if its only available on dvd then maybe, and i know this is a radical idea, you just get in on dvd. will it really disrupt your life that much to have to wait 2 days for a movie? ya know, what netflix was originally. the outrage over this is almost as stupid as the kids on steam who threw a shitfit over having to pay an extra $2.50 for terraria

Again, I have to ask: Are you joking?

People have a right to complain and voice opinions. We are all expressing our opinions on the subject at hand, meanwhile you're here to do what exactly? It's illogical to express my views on this news piece which is the topic at hand here?

You act as though you are being forced to read these posts. So yes, get over it. You CAN do something to ignore opinions you obviously don't agree with. Meanwhile, we have to take these price increases and feature drops up the ass. Again, we have a right to complain about something we have been paying for.

And did you not actually read my post? I would have to acquire BOTH of the plans to get what I get now for $9.99 monthly. Am I getting something new and nifty for this? Nope, quite the opposite; features are apparently being dropped. We are paying more for less. Almost 2x more. How does that make sense? You do realize money adds up, right? In one year, the new price I'd have to pay is $71.88 more expensive. That's a brand new full-priced game + DLC.

 

[00slash00]

Again, I have to ask: Are you joking?

People have a right to complain and voice opinions. We are all expressing our opinions on the subject at hand, meanwhile you're here to do what exactly? It's illogical to express my views on this news piece which is the topic at hand here?

You act as though you are being forced to read these posts. So yes, get over it. You CAN do something to ignore opinions you obviously don't agree with. Meanwhile, we have to take these price increases and feature drops up the ass. Again, we have a right to complain about something we have been paying for.

And did you not actually read my post? I would have to acquire BOTH of the plans to get what I get now for $9.99 monthly. Am I getting something new and nifty for this? Nope, quite the opposite; features are apparently being dropped. We are paying more for less. Almost 2x more. How does that make sense? You do realize money adds up, right? In one year, the new price I'd have to pay is $71.88 more expensive. That's a brand new full-priced game + DLC.

so again, if you dont want to wait for more shit to start streaming, just go with the dvd service. there, i just saved you money. people were perfectly happy paying $10 a month for netflix long before streaming was added. they cant afford to provide dvds and streaming for the same price anymore, so it is now more expensive if you want both services but cheaper if you pick one or the other. get over it

 

[Kapol]

There goes my DVDs from them. I almost never got any from them anyways, and I suppose I can just activate the DVDs again for a month if there's anything I really want. Still, this does suck in my opinion. Oh well.

 

[Fursnake]

Time to cancel the instant streaming just before this change takes place.

 

[bombadilillo]

I was shocked when Netflix first added streaming movies at no additional cost. Now it costs something, and everything makes sense.

This. The stream has become the lions share of their business, it makes sense to charge for it. Their bandwidth costs must be insane. oh well, haters gotta hate.

 

[Pinstar]

If they could just get their DVDs to stream this wouldn't bother me.

 

[Worgen]

I swear if netflix had any competitors they would be in trouble, they are lucky they pretty much have the rental thing to them self's for now

 

[Epona]

They just recently raised the rates, now they are doing it again? The Netflix juice is getting sour, the streaming is very limited and the DVD's are becoming more and more scratched.

 

[DracoSuave]

Again, I have to ask: Are you joking?

No he is not. Netflix is a company that is in the business to make money. With new regulations on net streaming, as well as licensing fees to Netflix, costs are going to go up. You recognize that right? When people fucking charge netflex more money, costs go up? We both agree this is fucking obvious? Alright.

People have a right to complain and voice opinions. We are all expressing our opinions on the subject at hand, meanwhile you're here to do what exactly? It's illogical to express my views on this news piece which is the topic at hand here?

You have the right to free speech, which is recognized by others. In return, you recognize others' right to free speech. And if something you are saying, within your rights, happens to be illogical, ill-conceived, or think-headed, you have the right to have what you said questioned. Others have the right to say that you're being irrational. Because they have -exactly- the same right of free speech you do. And having the freedom of free speech does not in any way give you immunity to criticism... otherwise you're being a hypocrite for crticizing something Netflix has said that you disagree with, but not that it's okay for others to criticize you.

You act as though you are being forced to read these posts. So yes, get over it. You CAN do something to ignore opinions you obviously don't agree with. Meanwhile, we have to take these price increases and feature drops up the ass. Again, we have a right to complain about something we have been paying for.

And he has the right to complain about something he reads that is ill-informed and reactionary. Do you see how that works? How is his right to free speech magically less important than yours? It isn't. You both have the same right to free speech. If you don't want others to have free speech, stop using yours. It's common sense, lad.

And did you not actually read my post? I would have to acquire BOTH of the plans to get what I get now for $9.99 monthly. Am I getting something new and nifty for this? Nope, quite the opposite; features are apparently being dropped. We are paying more for less. Almost 2x more. How does that make sense? You do realize money adds up, right? In one year, the new price I'd have to pay is $71.88 more expensive. That's a brand new full-priced game + DLC.

Yes, it costs more. That's because it costs them more. The alternative is to lose money. Do you want a company with services you like to lose money? No, you don't, because if they do... either they raise prices, or they go away.

 

[DR3AMCATCH3R94]

being canadian and therefore getting a huge chunk of the ass end of movies on netflix with only a few good movies in the system (also as a side note we get tenacious D on netflix canada while amercins dont. being one of the few positives) i dont really care much for the dvd part of netflix and entertain myself with a few streaming movies or my already 'jesus-balls' size dvd collection, so i dont give a damn really about netflix new scheme. i just hope they dont become real asses and offer classic movies like the godfather or scarface and others as a form of "premium" service you have to pay extra for, also that would also affect me if they decided to bring those gems up here. which they haven't. sadface

 

[Omnific One]

Canceling my account ASAP. Instant watch has almost nothing, and I use Redbox for DVDs.

Thus comes the downfall of Netflix.

Also, anyone keeping your streaming plans: Hulu Plus has a FAR better selection.

 

[Beautiful End]

I don't know...I get why Netflix is awesome. You watch anything anytime you want.
And still, I'm not attracted to it. My friends have Netflix for their PS3 and they keep telling me to get it. Hell, they even want to share their membership with me. But I don't think I need it. I mean, I have a TV. I already have movies I've bought myself that I can watch as many times as possible anywhere, more or less.

Anywho, I was actually considering getting into this just to watch some anime or something during my break at work or something. But this pushed me back to square one. And now that Blockbuster is out of the way, they can pretty much do what they want, huh?

Edit: I know that its still a relatively cheap price if you take on account the price of streaming whatever right into your house and DVD and all that. but hey, they should have thought about that from day 1. Now people are used to cheap prices and you bet they're gonna be pissed by this.

 

[Artemis923]

If you don't like the new Netflix, come to Blockbuster...it means I get to keep mah job. @_@

Captcha:axe to grind. After seeing some stupid dating site commercial to get to the freakin captcha code, I had an axe to grind...in someone's face.

 

[Epona]

I don't know...I get why Netflix is awesome. You watch anything anytime you want.
And still, I'm not attracted to it. My friends have Netflix for their PS3 and they keep telling me to get it. Hell, they even want to share their membership with me. But I don't think I need it. I mean, I have a TV. I already have movies I've bought myself that I can watch as many times as possible anywhere, more or less.

Anywho, I was actually considering getting into this just to watch some anime or something during my break at work or something. But this pushed me back to square one. And now that Blockbuster is out of the way, they can pretty much do what they want, huh?

Edit: I know that its still a relatively cheap price if you take on account the price of streaming whatever right into your house and DVD and all that. but hey, they should have thought about that from day 1. Now people are used to cheap prices and you bet they're gonna be pissed by this.

Maybe they used the low prices to get as many customers hooked on it as they could and are now jacking up the price. That is very common with cable companies, telephone companies and even credit cards but generally with those they tell you upfront that only the 6 months are at the low price.

 

[Beautiful End]

I don't know...I get why Netflix is awesome. You watch anything anytime you want.
And still, I'm not attracted to it. My friends have Netflix for their PS3 and they keep telling me to get it. Hell, they even want to share their membership with me. But I don't think I need it. I mean, I have a TV. I already have movies I've bought myself that I can watch as many times as possible anywhere, more or less.

Anywho, I was actually considering getting into this just to watch some anime or something during my break at work or something. But this pushed me back to square one. And now that Blockbuster is out of the way, they can pretty much do what they want, huh?

Edit: I know that its still a relatively cheap price if you take on account the price of streaming whatever right into your house and DVD and all that. but hey, they should have thought about that from day 1. Now people are used to cheap prices and you bet they're gonna be pissed by this.

Maybe they used the low prices to get as many customers hooked on it as they could and are now jacking up the price. That is very common with cable companies, telephone companies and even credit cards but generally with those they tell you upfront that only the 6 months are at the low price.

Absolutely. And you pointed out two important things.
One. Other companies tell you up front about it, even if it's with that tiny font. So you know that maybe after a year, you're gonna pay $10 more than right now. So you know what you're getting into; it's no surprise even if they don't remind you about it.
Two. Yeah, it probably was meant to attract customers and a loyal community. And once they had all that, they would then deliver a powerful punch by raising the prices. But still, dick move.

It's as if you go to McDonalds and you suddenly realize that everything is twice as expensive now. The manager might argue that they needed to raise the prices to deliver better quality food, pay all employees what they truly deserve for their services, that it was about time they raised the prices and all that. But at the end, you might leave that place slightly upset and willing to try out new (And maybe cheaper) places.

 

[Rack]

You guys can complain but I think there's a reason Netflix has this market to themselves, I wish we could get a deal half as good as this in the UK.

 

[Ipsen]

This is a shame, really. I'm sure Netflix plunked a pot of gold down to start up streaming services, and it gained my loyalty to Netflix; the streaming service did not match up to its DVD service, but it was a great addition/convenience to their service.

Now...As much as I love the streaming service, and would prefer it, streaming still isn't on par with DVD; still older movies that I have to use the DVD service in order to watch. I'd pay for streaming if it was considered an complementary service to DVD mailing, as comparing the selection of the two, most people would probably agree with me on. But it's not treated as such, so I'll be letting it go. Thanks, Netflix, but you're just another business at the end of the day, I guess.