Netflix shoots itself in the foot... aka no more free streaming

[Christopher]

Re: Oh Netflix, I Knew It Wouldn't Last

I don't understand why they can't offer a cheaper option that lets you keep DVDs and some streaming, a finite amount per month. I would've been okay with that. But for some reason, although they have limited DVD plans available, the only limited-streaming option they have is StarzPlay.

 

[JoeZhang]

Re: Oh Netflix, I Knew It Wouldn't Last

I don't understand why they can't offer a cheaper option that lets you keep DVDs and some streaming, a finite amount per month.

Basically revenue and to keep it simple, they actually wanted to go all streaming but there are still many people who want physical discs. The current business model is unsustainable so they either want people to jump one way or the other or to pony up more cash (to get their average customer revenue up).

 

[Harvey]

I can understand why they'e making the change, but that doesn't mean it's not a pain. Their selection of television shows on streaming is great, but their selection of movies is filled with unwatchable garbage.

I'm not sure which plan we'll switch to, but it's a fair bet that 15.98 a month is an increase we can't afford. Ugh.

 

[LitmusDragon]

I'll be switching to disc only. In fact, it will end up saving me some money. I've had bad results with streaming and so I barely use it. I think ComCa$t internet is throttling them in my area.

 

[Scout101]

Thinking about dropping them altogether. I use the 2x dvd thing pretty regularly, but don't return them as quickly as I could. I don't use the streaming a ton because they don't have newer things on there. If they want to go to this pricing model, you'd think they'd have the streaming up to the same par (and release dates) as the dvd media. Charging the premium, providing 2nd tier service for it. No thanks.

Most of my actual discs are newer releases, maybe i'll just quit and do Red Box, probably save a bunch of money. Had been catching up on old Stargate SG-1 episodes, but there's always other methods if they don't want my money...

 

[Kail]

I'm dropping streaming all together. Don't watch it enough to justify the extra cost.

 

[Amaris]

Is there a new business model being followed? If there is, is it called "Fucking With Your Customers In Three Easy Steps"? I say this because just last year there was the price hike, then this year they changed up to a poorly made new user interface that looks like retarded rhesus monkeys put it together, and just a few months after that, they're splitting service plans and jumping prices much higher for both services.

They keep this up, some resourceful company is going to kick their ass and take their customers right out from under them.

 

[Spot's Meow]

I need to check my bill. Isn't the 2x DVD rental more than $12/month now? If so, I'm in luck since I've never bothered with streaming and don't really plan to anytime soon. I dislike watching anything longer than 10 minutes on my PC.

That's why having the ability to stream through consoles/Roku is so great. I hardly used streaming when it was just available on PC, I hate watching things on the computer, but since being able to stream through our Wii I watch something on it almost every day.

 

[Snaploud]

Thinking about dropping them altogether. I use the 2x dvd thing pretty regularly, but don't return them as quickly as I could. I don't use the streaming a ton because they don't have newer things on there. If they want to go to this pricing model, you'd think they'd have the streaming up to the same par (and release dates) as the dvd media. Charging the premium, providing 2nd tier service for it. No thanks.

They do seem to be making a lot of odd decisions lately. Luckily, I'm on an instant-streaming-only plan, so their new pricing plan doesn't really affect me.

Side note: I use http://instantwatcher.com/ to avoid their new user interface, by the way. You might want to try it.

 

[Kestra]

I need to check my bill. Isn't the 2x DVD rental more than $12/month now? If so, I'm in luck since I've never bothered with streaming and don't really plan to anytime soon. I dislike watching anything longer than 10 minutes on my PC.

That's why having the ability to stream through consoles/Roku is so great. I hardly used streaming when it was just available on PC, I hate watching things on the computer, but since being able to stream through our Wii I watch something on it almost every day.

Yeah, same. I've been watching some stuff on the iPad as well. It's great being able to put Trek on the TV and have it the background while I'm packing up boxes.

 

[Amaris]

I use the Greasemonkey extension. It works by forcing the old UI. They make it for Firefox [Link] and Chrome [Link].

 

[Awesome Possum]

Re: Oh Netflix, I Knew It Wouldn't Last

I've been planning on going to all streaming anyway. The discs just set by my tv for months.

 

[Campe]

Re: Oh Netflix, I Knew It Wouldn't Last

Interesting... http://venturebeat.com/2011/07/12/n...-60-with-4100-negative-comments-and-counting/

I've already cancelled my disc subscription sticking only with streaming. In all honesty, I barely use the discs anyway. I've had disc 2 of Caprica for about 6 weeks anyway without watching it. I am a little annoyed though. I can understand a slight price increase, but I think it would be wiser to give a discount to customers who use both services. But, with 4100 negative comments already, maybe Netflix will realize quickly how poor of a decision it is.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Re: Oh Netflix, I Knew It Wouldn't Last

I've been planning on going to all streaming anyway. The discs just set by my tv for months.

Streaming is always the way to go, as long as it's not in a public park.

 

[nevermore]

Re: Oh Netflix, I Knew It Wouldn't Last

No, it's not going away! I'm just complaining.

I didn't see a thread about this, so apologies if there already is one. I got an email from Netflix today saying that they're dividing up unlimited streaming and unlimited DVD plans. So if I want to keep what I have now, I go from $9.99 to $15.98 a month. That's a steep jump for me, considering I've been trying to economize a bit.

I'm torn now. I like getting the DVDs, especially since I never go to the movies anymore. On the other hand, I definitely haven't been renting as many movies and I've been streaming a lot. I'm thinking about just going with unlimited streaming which is $7.99/month but I'm considering just cancelling altogether.

Anyone else hit with a change? Any decisions?

I think I'll stick with the same price by going down to 2 disks from 3 (sort of like when I went from 4 to 3 at the last price hike), but...

they actually wanted to go all streaming but there are still many people who want physical discs.

...there are an enormous number of things that are not available on streaming (yet), so if they were to do that (or, if I were to do it for them) my selection would be severely curtailed to the point where it would open a major opportunity for someone else to come along and fill the gap. $20 a month to have access to pretty much everything ever released on DVD is worth it to me, whereas $8 a month for a very limited selection of streaming items is not, and they're nowhere near turning that corner on their streaming selection.

 

[LitmusDragon]

I read this article recently which sheds some light on the situation. Apparently studios are raising their licensing fees due to the unexpected success of online streaming, which in turn is raising Netflix's streaming pricing model (and, it's only expected to get worse).

Just give me my 2 DVDs a week and I'll be happy.

 

[Harvey]

One can assume that streaming is taking away from the profit potential of television, which is actually a huge source of income for movie studios. Studios are only responding accordingly. Unfortunately, that only means I'll have to spend more money in the long run.

 

[Scout101]

Re: Oh Netflix, I Knew It Wouldn't Last

Right, it's not really a decision to go towards streaming or DVD like they are the same thing. The selection for streaming is way behind, and not only do a ton of older titles not show up, there's a long delay before NEW things show up for streaming too.

Pretty sure this results in Netflix getting LESS of my money, probably none of it. I like the streaming, but don't use it enough to justify the $20/month they want to raise my bill to. And at that point, way cheaper to go get a couple movies from Redbox than keep half the Netflix service at full price.

On top of that, Netflix gives you the new releases a month AFTER they come out. Presumably this was to get more streaming options, but since they separated the services (from a billing standpoint, anyway), why would I want to sacrifice things I'm paying for to benefit the OTHER plan that I'm not a part of?

 

[Captain Craig]

I read this article recently which sheds some light on the situation. Apparently studios are raising their licensing fees due to the unexpected success of online streaming, which in turn is raising Netflix's streaming pricing model (and, it's only expected to get worse).

Just give me my 2 DVDs a week and I'll be happy.

Unexpected success??

Get it now vs 2 days in the mail? How is that a surprise?
Stream it via Netflix vs buy "tv 'x' set" that you only might like?

Unexpected?

 

[Brolan]

I read this article recently which sheds some light on the situation. Apparently studios are raising their licensing fees due to the unexpected success of online streaming, which in turn is raising Netflix's streaming pricing model (and, it's only expected to get worse).

Just give me my 2 DVDs a week and I'll be happy.

Makes me wonder why studios don't do their own streaming? Cut out the middleman and get all the money for themselves.