HDTV Almanac - Netflix Raises Rates

[alfredpoor]

Netflix has raised its rates. Get over it.
Apparently there has been a firestorm of protest over Netflix raising its rates this week. The focus is on the company increasing the rate by 60% for some subscribers. That’s sounds pretty egregious, but let’s break it down.
There used to be a plan that gave you one DVD [...]

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[jbowen01]

If Netflix improves the streaming selection of movies (that is unless you love B movies) the complaints would be minimal.

I know with time this will improve...till then I will stay with "streaming only" and Red Box and Amazon streaming.

[bbrooks]

This push to streaming only makes sense IF Netflix has an up to date selection of hi def movies available and IF customers have adequate broadband capability. We have DSL and that is all that's available here; it's fine for standard def movies like Netflix streaming currently has, but it chokes on hi def downloads.

Even if both these conditions existed, you still miss the extras from the DVDs, which we enjoy almost as much as the movies themselves.

We've been Netflix customers for a lot of years, and have enjoyed the service at a fair price. If they want to focus on streaming they have a lot more competition than on the DVD side. Since we can't stream hi def from anybody through our DSL, and their standard def fare isn't worth a 60% increase, we will probably drop Netflix streaming, and may drop them altogether. We may be better served putting the money toward our own Blu-ray and 3D library.

[videograbber]

I'm confused. Alfred wrote:

"...$2 more a month if you still wanted the one DVD at a time service. (And you’d only get two DVDs a month for $2 from Redbox kiosks, compared with the dozen or so you could get from Netflix if you watched them the day they came in.)"

How does that work? With one DVD at a time, how can you possibly get a dozen or more a month? Even if you watch every one the day it arrives, and return it the next day, does anyone get that kind of instant turnaround from Netflix (or any other supplier)? From my understanding, the mail service isn't anywhere near that good, even if you happen to be located in proximity to a Netflix distribution hub.

Or perhaps I'm wrong, and folks CAN consistently get their next DVD in no more than 2 days?

- Tim

[perrysa]

What has worked just fine for me is to take Netflix streaming only, add AppleTV rental movies at $4.99. All the same titles as on DVD, all on demand, instantly.

[bbrooks]

Tim,

You actually can, their turnaround is uncanny, one of the things we love about their DVD service. However, since most people have a life and aren't waiting by the mailbox to pop it in as soon as it arrives, 6 or 7 DVDs is a pretty good month.

[Robz]

I subscribe to Netflix. However on the downside they know every movie I have watched. I regret that, and will be the cause of my termination of Netflix. I want to remain un-ominous and will quickly drop any provider persist in keeping score of my preferences. So fat antenna TV is the best, no cookies, spyware, hackers, corporate invasion, government spy’s or malicious invasion into your privacy! The price increase is a cause of concern, but my privacy concerns override all. Too bad, It looks like this is the week to terminate Netflix.

[ccclvib]

Or perhaps I'm wrong, and folks CAN consistently get their next DVD in no more than 2 days?

I kept thinking what I have is really good, but it wasn't until I started seeing people complaining about the turnaround I realized just how good. I live about twenty miles from Netflix headquarters. San Jose is the postal hub for both Los Gatos (Netflix) and Santa Cruz (me), and the turnaround is two days (receive one, watch it on the day we receive it, send it back, receive another) and with two DVDs out at a time, we could actually watch a different movie every night. Since we do have other things we would like to watch - including some streamed content - that seldom happens.

[ccclvib]

I guess I’d better jump back in here about “Robz” post. The fact Netflix keeps track of the movies I watch and rate is, to me, a good thing. We have watched a whole bunch of movies we would have known nothing about had it not been for the recommendations based on what we said we liked. I’ll continue to think that’s a good thing until someone comes to my door wanting to know why I watched a specific movie. Since I doubt that will happen...

[alice]

I appauld your decision to dump Nexflix & move up to Blu ray . your viewing experience will richly rewarding

This push to streaming only makes sense IF Netflix has an up to date selection of hi def movies available and IF customers have adequate broadband capability. We have DSL and that is all that's available here; it's fine for standard def movies like Netflix streaming currently has, but it chokes on hi def downloads.

Even if both these conditions existed, you still miss the extras from the DVDs, which we enjoy almost as much as the movies themselves.

We've been Netflix customers for a lot of years, and have enjoyed the service at a fair price. If they want to focus on streaming they have a lot more competition than on the DVD side. Since we can't stream hi def from anybody through our DSL, and their standard def fare isn't worth a 60% increase, we will probably drop Netflix streaming, and may drop them altogether. We may be better served putting the money toward our own Blu-ray and 3D library.