Netflix is changing and it is being blamed -- or if you prefer, attributed to -- the viewing habits of subscribers. Today Netflix informed subscribers that soon they would have to pay $1 more a month for the basic one-DVD-at-a-time plus streaming content subscription. The company also announced a $7.99 streaming-only option for consumers. The reason, they say, is that more users are streaming content via various devices -- Wii, Xbox 360, Ps3 -- than watching it via DVDs. The company predicts that by the end of 2010 streaming content consumption will finally outpace disc-based viewing.
While that may very well be true, Netflix's challenge is getting that streaming content to be more robust and current- a complaint voiced repeatedly on its blog today in the midst of this announcement. That being said, you can check out all the changes coming your way by visiting blog.netflix.com.
Comments
Re: Netflix Changes Coming Your Way
I'm curious as to what the complaint is. After years of running their service, during which they added the major and resource-intensive feature that is Watch Instantly (streaming), they are finally raising their monthly rate by a whole dollar, while also offering a new, less expensive plan for those who only want streaming and not DVDs. Oh yeah, they are total monsters. How dare they?
Re: Netflix Changes Coming Your Way
"I'm curious as to what the complaint is."
Then read the first comment in the thread.
I've got no problem paying an extra dollar a month, but I'd appreciate a more consistent library in return. Ideally, that's what will happen; they'll reinvest that money in improving their infrastructure and their library and make it worth our while.
Re: Netflix Changes Coming Your Way
Part of the problem is the limitations in thier library are not due to infrastructure, it is due to contracts. It is less likely that the increase is going into infrastructure, and more likely it is going into the coke and hookers that executives expect to be wooed with if you want access to the content they own.
Re: Netflix Changes Coming Your Way
I have a different theory.
Now that they've driven Hollywood Video/Movie Gallery completely out of business and Blockbuster is on its death bed, they own the movie rental business without any competition and can do whatever they want with pricing.
Re: Netflix Changes Coming Your Way
Yep, streaming is better. Of course, not everything is streamed on Netflix. Including older material. In fact, many TV episodes are missing for one reason or another, requiring you to order the DVD. This is why I have the 2 DVD at a time with unlimited streaming.
Of course, those who have been using Watch Instantly also know that a streamed product can come and go and come back again. Many of us keep a watch using instantwatcher.com to know when something new is coming to streaming.
Still, the DVDs have their purpose. I have been known to order the bonus DVDs. And commentary tracks are only available on the DVDs. Some of the commentary is pretty good, especially for good TV shows.
Nightwng2000
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Re: Netflix Changes Coming Your Way
I think you just outlined my complaints about their streaming service. I currently subscribe to it, but it gets less and less use due to missing (or mislabled) episodes or content that can vanish at any time.
Their service really highlights the problem people have with these subscriptions, you have no control over which content is available and it can disappear at any moment because someone decided they wanted to have a back-room pissing contest.
The sad thing is... illegal sources are still better. They have more content, the content is more likely to be complete and labeled correctly.. and once content is available it continues to be available. Legallity asside, netflix streaming provides an inferrior service to hobbists working out of their basements. It really shows the detrimental effect of low paid employies who do not care about the material and more resources being put in to allaying the fears of content owners then providing a product to paying customers.
It is one thing to say 'hey, pay for our stuff, it is good', it is another to say 'pay (more) for our stuff and we will give you something worse then what you were getting before, but hey, it is legal!'