Netflix raises prices - a lot

[Bryancd]

Yeah Redbox and Blockbuster are so far behind Netflix both domestically and International expansion. That's why I own the stock for clients.

Wait. I'm not clear on this. Which stocks do you own? Netflix or the other two? If it's the other two is it because of the low in cost of buy now?

I own Netflix. The other two don't have the growth model that Netflix does. As I said and that article you posted confirms, this is a good move for them financially and for their growth strategy. I said a while back this would be the direction they would head, so this was anticipated.

[Rico]

Oh, I can understand all the reasons behind the cost change.  But, it doesn't mean I have to like it.  And I think a lot of people will feel the same way about it too.

[Bryancd]

Yep, and that evaluation was part of the decision. They understand they will loose some but also they will gain new streaming customers to offset. As they grow outside the USit would be untenable to keep mailing DVD's economically.

[RickPeete]

I am upset with the fact that Netflix will not allow you to have different profiles for streaming.  I love their streaming and my wife and I can take advantage of it on our iPads and our TVs at home.

However, my son cannot use the streaming service on his iPod Touch or his Wii System because he would have to know the master account password and I have no way to restrict his viewing options (he is 13).  I do not want him watching movies or TV rated "R" or above and since streaming does not follow profiles, I have no way to give him separate rules than what my wife and I have.

The only way to do this is to pay for a second NetFlix account just for him.  I refuse to pay for that.  Why can't they support the profiles for streaming so you can log in using the email/password for the profile and get the appropriate restrictions?  Seems easy enough to do, right?

Oh, and my son is a big Babylon 5 fan and they do not stream those shows -- only available via DVD.  So I have to keep the combo plan to meet everyone's needs!

Well, it looks like the pricing for me -- unlimited streaming plus 3-DVDs at a time -- will increase from $19.99 to $23.98.  I guess I can live with the $4 increase...

[WillEagle]

I don't get the DVD part but I don't think $16 is to much for what you will be getting. I wouldn't want to pay anymore than the next guy but doesn't seem to bad to me. Of course I might feel different if I was currently doing both. Now as far as the streaming goes I find something new about everytime I look on Netflix. I don't think they put all new content in the New realese area. I really like that they put alot of UK shows on it.

[Jobydrone]

I was actually paying for the DVD + Streaming even after they raised the price for that by a buck or two recently, even though I haven't gotten a DVD from them for more than a year now.  I can't even remember the last time I put a physical disc in a machine to watch a movie (that wasn't for my kids).  I changed to streaming only when this was announced.  All I do these days is stream, either via Netflix, the Xfinity App, or HBO Go.

[spaltor]

I have the 4 DVD at-a-time plan (and 3 profiles - it's complicated).  But my cost is going from $27.99 to $29.98.  $1.99 is not terrible.  My bigger gripe, when I changed plans, was the big jump in price between 3 and 4 DVDs.  I haven't looked at the cost for all of the DVD plans, but I would hope that the increase in cost/DVD has standardized a bit.

Although, since I've been watching more and more on streaming, I might change back to 3 DVDs at a time come September - depending on what I'm currently watching.

[Rico]

A lot of unhappy customers out there:

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/technologylive/post/2011/07/netflix-subscription-changes-anger-customers/1

[Bryancd]

..and a lot of happy shareholders, NFLX hit a 52 week high today.

[spaltor]

I've had a Netflix account since 2004, and I don't recall pricing increasing when streaming content was introduced (I could be wrong).  Maybe it would have made more sense for them to have made streaming an additional at that time?  It would probably save the griping that they're dealing with now.

Like I said, I don't really have a problem with it, but my plan isn't affected that much.  But, I can understand why those subscribers currently at $9.99 are upset about $15.98.

[Rico]

That's I think my price jump.  I was at the one-DVD out at a time plus streaming plan.  I'd probably average one DVD a week per month for a total of four DVD's.  I frankly haven't streamed much at all over the years but have started to do it a bit more since I got my iPad.  The truth of things for me is I see a lot of movies when they get released and I tend to stay up on TV shows too.  I use Netflix for movies I didn't make it to the theater for, things like comedies, a few drama's etc.  Anyway, one thing I think this price change is going to do is make people look at the competition a little more once again.  We'll see how it all plays out.

[Bryancd]

We also are on the one DVD/streaming plan and currently watch mostly on DVD. I would like to start streaming more and have been looking at ways we can stream to our TV (we talked about that last week, Rico). I'm still working on it. I would say we average 4 DVD's per month as well. So it's averaging $4 per rental plus having streaming.

[X]

We also are on the one DVD/streaming plan and currently watch mostly on DVD. I would like to start streaming more and have been looking at ways we can stream to our TV (we talked about that last week, Rico). I'm still working on it. I would say we average 4 DVD's per month as well. So it's averaging $4 per rental plus having streaming.

When I ran the number for myself, I found that even when I was on the DVD plan, I only got one or two per month on the 2 dvd plan. If I wanted to see something quicker, I'd have to run and pay a buck at redbox.

However, with the new streaming only and redbox for new releases, I actually save money. They are constantly giving away free rentals and It has worked in my favor.

[KingIsaacLinksr]

At this point, I'm waiting for Amazon and Redbox to announce their new price changes. 

Just saying...

King

[Meds]

$7.99 to watch a film is that right? May as just buy the DVD and keep it. Or am i missing something?