http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/ Engadget HD Comments for Details of Netflix's Blu-ray premium emerges: $1.00 per month http://www.engadgethd.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadgethd.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/Aug 1st 2008 8:21AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/Aug 1st 2008 8:36AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
I'm not a Netflix fanboi, but I love their service. Is my experience so much different/better than the haters? I'm curious.]]>Aug 1st 2008 8:42AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/Aug 1st 2008 10:14AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
No, Netflix made a business decision to cut all spending on new HD DVD titles. They have lost me as a paying customer for over 5 months now. I have rented (on HD DVD) Beowulf, Michael Clayton, and Into the Wild. I had to buy and re-sell (for a small profit) the I Am Legend HD DVD. I bought the Atonement (non-Combo) HD DVD from Amazon.co.uk, which I still haven't watched {and could have gotten now with a (BOGO) "free" copy of the Juno Special Edition DVD for less from Columbia house now}. So Netflix lost me as a customer because they didn't buy 3 movies. Blockbuster lost me as a customer for a good part of that 5+ months, too, because they didn't buy 1-2 movies.]]>Aug 1st 2008 11:25AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/Aug 1st 2008 12:29PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
I don't understand your point. Are you saying you had to buy those movies because Netflix didn't stock them in HD-DVD? and that is why they "lost you as a customer"? Does this all mean you are a Netflix "hater" or are sticking up for them? Just wondering, really.

My point is that many people hate (or profess to) Netflix because of problems with Blu-Ray availability or because they dropped HD-DVD or because they are "being charged for a service they don't use" i.e. streaming or profiles, or because those get removed/modified.

I don't understand those reasons for hating Netflix. I've always thought of them as an innovative, somewhat customer friendly company that provides a service that is vastly superior to what was available before them (brick-and-mortar locations with tiny inventories, ignorant employees, very high prices, etc.). I believe all the extras have been gratis, i.e. streaming, profiles, HD/Blu (gratis 'til now anyway).

Ah, well. To each his own, I suppose.]]>Aug 1st 2008 12:56PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
I rented a total of 3 movies through Blockbuster that Netflix refused to buy. I cancelled my account because I wasn't going to have two accounts open at one time because Netflix thought they could save a few dollars. I rented the 3 movies I mentioned through Blockbuster over the last 5+ months. Blockbuster silently stopped buying HD DVD's shortly after Netflix, so I cancelled that account and bought 2 movies I wanted to watch that Blockbuster wouldn't buy.

I will watch what I want to watch when I want to watch (purchasing the movie if I have to), but I am not going to reward a company during this transitional period if they won't satisfy my needs at the time. I could have watched 2 of movies that I wanted to watch from Blockbuster in March and then re-joined Netflix, but I still wouldn't have seen every movie that I wanted to from Blockbuster (that Netflix didn't carry). And like I said, I am going to watch the movies I want to watch when I want to watch them. I am not going to hurry up, rent the movies from Blockbuster that Netflix refuses to buy, and then quick join back up from Netflix. I will do things on my schedule, not Netflix's.

I rejoined Blockbuster recently to see Michael Clayton on HD DVD (which either wasn't available when I quit Total Access or was made available just before I cancelled) and Into the Wild on HD DVD (which was available when I quit Total Access); I got the Beowulf HD DVD from Blockbuster back in March before I cancelled Total Access.

I am planning on re-joining Netflix this month with the extra DVD for one month that I am due from the Settlement. I am also a Netflix (and Blockbuster B shares) investor.]]>Aug 1st 2008 1:18PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/Aug 1st 2008 5:17PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
I actually think the increase is fine as long as they get more titles in. I might even switch from BB if word on the streets is that BD service has improved (even slightly). ]]>Aug 1st 2008 8:34AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/Aug 1st 2008 8:47AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
I just got Rambo... It came out May 27.... I got it July 31st.... thats, ummmm, 2 full months?? Paying an extra dollar for a 2 month wait is NOT worth it...]]>Aug 1st 2008 8:51AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
I have 30+ Blu-rays in my queue and only 2 are listed as Short Wait, and I'll wager that if I put them at the top, I'd still get them next anyways as has been the case before.

I only have time for the 1 at a time plan, but for the people complaining about this with 6 or more at a time, maybe it's a sign to get off your ass and stop watching/copying movies all the time. The sun is nice, you know.]]>Aug 1st 2008 11:06AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/Aug 1st 2008 12:30PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
I'm on a 4 at a time plan and the only one on wait is Jumper, which based on reviews I'm not chomping at the bit to see anyways.]]>Aug 1st 2008 3:58PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/Where did he get $1?]]>Aug 1st 2008 8:59AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/Aug 1st 2008 9:08AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
Harold and Kumar go to GitMo and 21 both arrived yesterday (both on Blu)... a couple of days ago they were on "very long wait" status

I can handle 2 bucks. I can even handle 5 bucks, so long as they keep me in Blu!]]>Aug 1st 2008 9:56AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/Aug 1st 2008 11:06AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/Aug 1st 2008 3:15PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
I wonder if the forthcoming HD functionality for their downloads service will require the $1 premium? It would make sense, given the extra bandwidth required. They could then make it a generic "HD" charge.]]>Aug 1st 2008 9:12AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/Aug 1st 2008 10:38AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/]]>Aug 1st 2008 11:30AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
The number of times the disc can be resent is their bottom line. I would be very interested to know what impact if any the scratch proof coating has (if any) on that figure. It certainly must have had an impact when it came to choosing between HD DVD and Blu Ray. HD DVDs have no coating so a scratch is far more serious. But I wonder what the bottom line cost per mailing is of DVD vs Blu Ray.

Anyway a dollar sounds pretty low. IMO suspiciously low. I expect most people thought it would be a larger premium than that.]]>Aug 1st 2008 11:11AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
I wouldn't be at all surprised if it costs them less, especially for higher volume customers. If they can get some of the people on the higher rate plans to receive a significant amount of their content online and thus reduce the number of physical discs they receive, then Netflix almost certainly saves money.
]]>Aug 1st 2008 11:14AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
It's also obvious why Netflix restrict the service to the crappest lowest selling titles. Studios demand more royalties for their popular titles, eliminating any cost savings Netflix made for offering the service. So they don't. And if it ever does extend to more popular titles you can bet they'll hike the prices up for it, possibly even split it off into its own subscription.]]>Aug 1st 2008 12:27PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/Aug 1st 2008 12:37PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/Aug 1st 2008 12:59PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/Aug 1st 2008 9:18AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/Aug 1st 2008 9:21AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/Aug 1st 2008 9:28AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
I could see keeping blu-ray off an account, waiting till there's a bunch of stuff on blu-ray that you want to check out, add it for a month and watch all those items, and then remove it again.

I will echo the agreement that if they want to add this charge, there should be practically no wait times for blu-rays. If it takes two months to finally get a new release in your queue to arrive as hinted at by andyg8180, I would actually be tempted just to get the movie on VoD or XBLM for $6 where I can watch it on release day. You are really only paying $2 more at that point.]]>Aug 1st 2008 9:41AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/Aug 1st 2008 11:01AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/Aug 1st 2008 4:59PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
Really? I have a feeling its how many Blu-ray titles people rent. I've only rented maybe 6 total and haven't gotten any notice about it. I have a feeling that the people who are getting charged $2 rent as many blu-ray titles as they can. The wait/selection isn't worth it for me, so i just rent DVDs. That and the quality my upsampling dvd player puts out is very acceptable (the PS3 does too) even when comparing to blu-ray. I'm going to wait this one out.]]>Aug 1st 2008 9:44AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
Only thing that is bad about Netflix and it goes for Starz as well is streaming movie service.

Netflix and Starz Vongo service never seem to update movies they stream. I had Vongo for 3 months and it seems they rather make new movies PPV then for the monthly fee.

So really Vongo streams the movies form their Starz Encorde channels. So why pay $9.99 a month when all 7 Encore channels cost $3.99 form my cable provider?]]>Aug 1st 2008 10:50AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
Either way, $1 will just put me back at what I originally signed up for. People seem to forget the price dropped almost a year ago.

Netflix is honestly the best service I've ever paid for. No complaints period. I've never had trouble getting a movie (Blu-rays included) and Netflix is the best deal around for movies.]]>Aug 1st 2008 10:57AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
It's been said before but I'll say it again. If the price hike means they will supply Blu-Ray customers more Blu-Ray disc, then an extra buck isn't a big deal. If the price hike doesn't add up to more discs, then it's a raw deal.

I suspended my Netflix account when they dropped HD DVD. Went over to Blockbuster and got immediate shipment of my HD DVD queue. I dropped Blockbuster after I was done with HD DVD and have now moved back to Netflix and since went purple. I'm going to wait for the availability of blu-ray to rise before i start renting blu-rays. Rather raid ebay/craigslist for good deals on used blu-ray discs.]]>Aug 1st 2008 10:55AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/Aug 1st 2008 11:26AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
I feel better now.]]>Aug 1st 2008 10:57AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
Well did it ever occur to you that not everyone goes to the movies... Also, I dont have cable. I get all my TV viewing off OTA and Netflix... I dont 3 movies a week is beyond possible...

So think before you speak... esp since you have the lowest plan at netflix... Thats like me going to a car show with a hyndai hatchback...]]>Aug 1st 2008 11:16AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
I am on the bare minimum plan of 1 at a time unlmiited and I will get charged an extra $2 according to the website.]]>Aug 1st 2008 12:04PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
It's even possible that those of us who already have the feature will get grandfathered in if we complain enough.]]>Aug 1st 2008 2:56PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
I am a member of both Netflix and Blockbuster. I am on the two-at-a-time from each one. I find I get most of the movies I want when I want them that way. Blockbuster gets many more of the new "special editions" of movies that were already released on dvd previously. Netflix rarely has those.
I would expect Blockbuster to follow suit very soon so those switching over may get the same increases.]]>Aug 1st 2008 12:05PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
Granted, Ihave not had major availability issues, but the increase is kind of steep.]]>Aug 1st 2008 12:20PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
$2 across the board for all plans
the $1 that some are seeing is for new accounts since they get a 2 week free trial, they get 50% off the blu-ray premium the 1st month]]>Aug 1st 2008 12:26PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/Aug 1st 2008 12:29PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/Aug 1st 2008 12:55PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/Aug 1st 2008 12:59PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/01/details-of-netflixs-blu-ray-premiums-emerge-1-00-per-month/
Seriously, $2 added on to an $8.99 plan? I think not.

As soon as I get the notification that my price is going up, I'm going to suspend my account indefinitely, and head over to their competition.

Access to streaming video is nice, but the selection is rather paltry.]]>Aug 1st 2008 1:37PM