# So what do you think of Netflix's new pricing? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 12, 2011, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769 "2011-07-12T18:17:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Sateryn76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/81 "2011-07-13T15:47:27Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > A friend pointed this out to me on Facebook. It hits the mark pretty well, in my opinion. > > [Groundhog Decade > Hollywood is about to repeat the catastrophic mistakes of the music industry](http://www.slate.com/id/2298871/) Great article, and crystallizes the problems very well. I did some poking around last night with the Amazon Instant Service, which led to Amazon Prime, which led to registering my Tivo, then finding out it’s incompatible with DirectTV, then going to my XBox, then investigating my Wii, etc., etc. It was stupid, and ultimately pointless. I am computer savvy, but this idiocy transcends computer knowledge. So, I’ll stick with Netflix streaming for my workout videos and the kid’s shows, and DVDs for my husband to watch. And I almost hyperventilated when I found all the seasons of ER on Amazon to watch, so there’s another $16.00 per season. But only on my computer, because I’m not going to screw around with a ISB cable from a laptop operating on a wireless connection hooked up to my TV. Wait! Maybe I can use my XBox, which is wired… I haven’t even tried to look at Roku, Hulu Plus, Unbox, etc. What a mess. Sometimes I miss just having channels 2, 5, 7, 9 and maybe 32. ---
**Author:** ![3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/47e85d/32.png) [@3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3_20_59_or_bust)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/82 "2011-07-13T15:49:10Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > I stream a moderate amount of time and have been holding on to a copy of _Princess Mononoke_ for months. So I should just cancel the DVD service. But it is so potentially useful I’m loathe to do so. I guess I’ll make a decision in September. Arrrrgggghhhhh! Send that damn thing back! You think you’re the only Miyazaki fan out there! ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/83 "2011-07-13T15:56:05Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > I’m a bit perplexed at the outrage, too. > > So for $16/month, you can have all the rentals you want (albeit one at a time), and free access to thousands of TV shows/movies/etc on instant streaming. In addition to what Snowboarder said, their streaming selection is terrible (but I think that has more to do with the studios). I’ve recently started using it for TV shows and they seem to be pretty good there, provided I can make it through the shows I’m watching before they pull them. But as for movies, it’s really not worth $7.99 a month. What you have to understand is that that’s what this increase is all about. Streaming used to be free, now they’re charging for it. Don’t get me wrong, I understand they’re getting charged and just passing it along to the end user. Also, as I mentioned earlier, people that are dropping their physical DVDs might want to take a look at VUDU. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/84 "2011-07-13T15:57:15Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > I think people who are freaking out need to get a grip. People who refer to criticizing the price increase as “freaking out” need to get a grip. ---
**Author:** ![filling\_pages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b9bd4f/32.png) [@filling\_pages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filling_pages)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/85 "2011-07-13T15:59:41Z")
> [@3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](#): > > Arrrrgggghhhhh! Send that damn thing back! You think you’re the only Miyazaki fan out there! Right? That drives me crazy. Maybe this change will mean that people who actually watch the discs and return them won’t have to deal with as many of the streaming fans who sit on dvds for months. If I don’t watch something in 3 days, I obviously don’t want to see it that badly, so I send it back and get something else. ---
**Author:** ![Caveat\_lector\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@Caveat\_lector\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caveat_lector_1)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/86 "2011-07-13T16:06:04Z")
What mostly upset me was it seemed like it was out of left field. Not that I didn’t know that the movie studioes were abput to start demanding more, but it would have been nice to maybe have some kind of warning that some kind of increase or change was coming. Also remember some people are upset because they had Netflix because it was cheap and money is tight. If you are keeping close track of your budget any sudden price jump may be upsetting. Now that I’m less taken off guard I will be keeping both my streaming and DVDs, but in the form of sharing an account with my fiancee. We both are usually together during our free time anyway so it makes little sense for both of us to pay $15/mo when money is tight. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/87 "2011-07-13T16:11:14Z")
I’ve never watched a streaming movie. I get one disc at a time, usually watching it the day I receive it and then sending it right back. My turnaround time is outrageously quick. I love Netflix. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/88 "2011-07-13T16:16:02Z")
I don’t like it, but I’m sure they’re becoming a victim of their own success as content providers ask for more and more money from Netflix. At least I assume that is what’s happening. When I have a Tivo at $12 a month and Netflix at $16 a month with only 1 disc out at a time, I’ve got to start thinking of something like Dish network for $30 a month with more content but not on demand. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/89 "2011-07-13T16:29:42Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > I don’t like it, but I’m sure they’re becoming a victim of their own success as content providers ask for more and more money from Netflix. At least I assume that is what’s happening. That is exactly what is happening. Warner Bros. tends to lead the charge. They hate when anyone else can make a buck off of their properties, even if they share part of it with Warner. They would rather no one, including themselves, makes money. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/90 "2011-07-13T16:33:19Z")
Good article about the reason for the changes: [What Netflix Isn’t Saying](http://tumblr.hopelessgeek.com/post/7570822229/what-netflix-isnt-saying) ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/91 "2011-07-13T16:37:33Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > People who refer to criticizing the price increase as “freaking out” need to get a grip. Agreed. > [@](#): > > Arrrrgggghhhhh! Send that damn thing back! You think you’re the only Miyazaki fan out there! > [@](#): > > Maybe this change will mean that people who actually watch the discs and return them won’t have to deal with as many of the streaming fans who sit on dvds for months. AGREED! Send that damn thing back! ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/92 "2011-07-13T16:38:07Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > Good article about the reason for the changes: > > [What Netflix Isn’t Saying](http://tumblr.hopelessgeek.com/post/7570822229/what-netflix-isnt-saying) Nobody can be successful these days without everyone else piling on and wanting their piece of the pie. If the studios ever got off their ass and offered streaming each of them would cost more than Netflix, vary in quality, and you’d have a half dozen or more subscriptions to decide on. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/93 "2011-07-13T16:38:14Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > Good article about the reason for the changes: > > [What Netflix Isn’t Saying](http://tumblr.hopelessgeek.com/post/7570822229/what-netflix-isnt-saying) Previous stuff I read gave me the impression that the agreement with Sony/Starz was the number of times their material was actually streamed, not raw number of potential streamers. Anyone have a concrete answer? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/94 "2011-07-13T16:40:12Z")
> [@Caveat\_lector\_1](#): > > What mostly upset me was it seemed like it was out of left field. Not that I didn’t know that the movie studioes were abput to start demanding more, but it would have been nice to maybe have some kind of warning that some kind of increase or change was coming. Excuse me what now? You got plenty of warning. This increase isn’t going into effect for well over a month (actually, closer to 7 weeks). How much more warning would you have liked? And this goes to all the people that cancelled their subscriptions as soon as they got the news. There’s no reason why you couldn’t have ridden out your current deal for a few more weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/95 "2011-07-13T16:40:29Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > In the mid-1980s, when my parents first got a VCR, movie rentals were $3 each, you could only keep them overnight, there were late fees if you didn’t bring them back on time, and you usually had to pay a fee of about $25-$30 to get a membership at the video store to begin with. > > I’m sure back then, I spent more than $16 a month on video rentals. WAY more. And paid late fees, and had a worse selection, and had to drive back and forth to the store, and had zero instant streaming. And when the movie was over at night, but you were still awake and wanted to watch something else, if you hadn’t sprung for an extra movie (also due the next day), you were stuck with what was on TV. Nightmare scenario! That was then. This is now. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/96 "2011-07-13T16:45:05Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > Amazon Prime doesn’t give you any free stuff to watch, does it? I have Amazon Prime but I still had to shill out a couple bucks to watch ONE Breaking Bad episode. Yes, there is a selection of free [Amazon Prime Instant Videos](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sv_mov_aiv_3?ie=UTF8&node=2858778011&field-is_prime_benefit=1). They say 6000 movies and T.V. shows. Go to the Amazon Instant Video page and click on the Prime Instant Videos button. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/97 "2011-07-13T16:45:15Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Excuse me what now? You got plenty of warning. This increase isn’t going into effect for well over a month (actually, closer to 7 weeks). How much more warning would you have liked? > And this goes to all the people that cancelled their subscriptions as soon as they got the news. There’s no reason why you couldn’t have ridden out your current deal for a few more weeks. I know. 🙂 Somehow I missed in the OP it was September 1st, and when I realized it, i was like - oh wow! A whole month and a half of notice? That’s pretty damned good! Even landlords only have to give you 30 days notice to _find a new home_. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/98 "2011-07-13T16:45:34Z")
There’s currently a battle going on in my house. My wife wants us to keep streaming but I want to keep dvds. Yeah, we haven’t used dvds that much but I’m not going to pay for streaming as it’s pretty much hit or miss if something I want is even available. The odds are they’ll have the dvd of it, we’ll just have to get better at turnaround time. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/99 "2011-07-13T16:47:47Z")
I wonder if I could make enough money to cover the increase in my Netflix plan by renting out my copy of _Princess Mononoke_ to fellow Dopers? Hmmmmm… XD ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769/100 "2011-07-13T16:49:20Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I know. 🙂 Somehow I missed in the OP it was September 1st, and when I realized it, i was like - oh wow! A whole month and a half of notice? That’s pretty damned good! Even landlords only have to give you 30 days notice to _find a new home_. Hell, my first increase won’t be until September _24th_, I have over 10 weeks at the current pricing. Whatever changes I make, aren’t going to get made until late August. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-of-netflixs-new-pricing/588769.md?page=6)