All Good Things Must Come to an End – Netflix Announces Pricing Changes
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We’ve got some bad news for those of you who use Netflix DVDs in addition to Netflix’s online streaming capabilities, available on several platforms such as iOS, Apple TV, computers, Xbox Live, and Playstation 3.
Many Netflix members with a DVD plan were also enjoying the free streaming video collection that Netflix has available, but as of today, those plans are now separate, and a DVD + streaming video plan will cost extra.
Current Netflix subscribers have access to unlimited streaming and unlimited DVDs (1 at a time) by mail for just $9.99, but once September rolls around, unlimited streaming will be $7.99, and unlimited DVDs will be another $7.99, making the total for both services $15.98.
In addition, Netflix is introducing new DVD only plans for people uninterested in online streaming, at $7.99 for 1 DVD out at a time and $11.99 for two.
According to Netflix, this is being done to offer customers a choice between streaming only and DVD at just $7.99 each, but for customers who were already using both options for $9.99, this is a huge price increase. If you’re trying to keep costs down, you may now have to choose between streaming video and mail-in DVDs.
There’s also always the option to cancel that Netflix and go with something else, such as Blockbuster. Blockbuster, under the new ownership of DISH network, has also introduced new pricing this week. Kids can rent unlimited children’s movies for just $4.99 per month, movie rentals on Sundays are just $0.49, and new releases are just $2.99 (for the first day).
All of the Blockbuster stores in my area shut down, but if you still have one nearby, it’s one viable option. Of course, neither Netflix nor Blockbuster can compete with the $1.00 daily rentals from Redbox. Of course, with Redbox, you may not get the latest releases and you’ve got to make sure you return movies on time, or pay up, while Netflix’s $7.99/month DVD plan is without late fees. Blockbuster offers instant gratification, for a slightly higher price.
The Netflix pricing changes shouldn’t bother people who were already using streaming only options on their iPads and Apple TVs, but for some subscribers, these changes are a real disappointment. If the comments on the Netflix blog are any indication, then there’s a lot of upset over the pricing changes, and many customers may be looking for new options. The new subscription changes will take effect on September 1st, 2011 for current subscribers, and immediately for new subscribers. For more information, check out the Netflix blog.
