Poll: Will Netflix's new Blu-ray rates cause a change in your subscription?

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 1st 2009 at 12:00PM

One only has to look at Netflix's recent growth to see how successful it's been while branching out onto new disc formats and digital delivery. Still, the news that the $1 Blu-ray surcharge is kicking upwards next month based on how many discs you can have out at once is making many previously happy (or not-so-happy) customers rethink their status. Still, Blu-ray discs are more expensive and if you've been happy with Netflix's service so far, maybe it remains a good deal. After a couple days to let the news settle in pick one, and let us know why in the comments.

Filed under: Polls, Blu-ray

Tags: blu-ray, blu-ray premium, Blu-rayPremium, fee, netflix, poll, polls, price, price hike, PriceHike, rentals, renting, subscription, surcharge

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Highly Ranked

Miggity @ Apr 1st 2009 12:09PM

Despite this change, Netflix is still the best deal out there and it blows Blockbuster's service out of the water. For real. I've had it. It stinks.

Now I heard Blockbuster axed free instore movie rentals while awaiting your next disc? Netflix still rules.

Neutral

Levi @ Apr 1st 2009 12:50PM

"Now I heard Blockbuster axed free instore movie rentals while awaiting your next disc?"

False. Get the facts here: https://www.blockbuster.com/signup/s/plan

...and be sure to click on "See all available plans" for a full breakdown.

Neutral

Miggity @ Apr 1st 2009 12:55PM

TRUE.

Get your facts HERE sucka: http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/03/23/blockbuster-hamstrings-total-access-rental-plan/

Neutral

Levi @ Apr 1st 2009 1:15PM

Um, no. You claimed that BB "axed free instore movie rentals" which is NOT true.

You can still get free instore movie rentals, they will just count as part of "maximum out" limit according to your plan. Unlimited plans get five free in-store exchanges per month.

Neutral

Miggity @ Apr 1st 2009 1:27PM

i said, axed free rentals "while awaiting your next disc"... If the movie you get at the store when you drop off you mail disc counts against your "total number of discs" out then you WON'T GET the next disc in the mail.

Am I wrong here?

that is not how it used to work.

Neutral

heffer @ Apr 1st 2009 3:35PM

Levi just got pwned.

Neutral

Levi @ Apr 1st 2009 3:11PM

You're wrong in that you're totally disregarding the plans that have no monthly limit on rentals. If you have an unlimited plan, then you can exchange a disc in store for a free rental, AND they will send out another title on the next business day.

Neutral

Miggity @ Apr 1st 2009 3:29PM

Negative. We're talking about total number discs you're allowed OUT at once, not total per month.

From Engadget article linked above:
"Previously, free movie in-store exchange rentals were in addition to the number of DVDs allowed out at-a-time under your Total Access membership plan. However, beginning in February 2009 (in some store locations) and over the course of the next few months (in the remaining corporate and participating franchise stores), this policy will change in two ways. First, all free movie in-store exchange rentals will count towards the number of DVDs you are allowed out under your Total Access plan at any one time."

Even if you get the most expensive plan you can still only have three discs at once.

So as far as I can tell, if you got three discs at home, watch one, take it to the store and drop it off, leaving the store with a free instore rental, they will not ship your next disc anymore.

Again, that sucks. That was pretty much the only thing Blockbuster had going for them.

Neutral

Levi @ Apr 1st 2009 4:12PM

@Miggity:
"That was pretty much the only thing Blockbuster had going for them."

You mean besides the lower prices, video game rentals, and the ability to go out and get the movie you want RIGHT NOW rather than waiting until the next business day? Regardless of whether it counts towards your number out or your monthly maximum, it's still an ounce of instant gratification that Netflix is unable to offer.

I'm no shill for Blockbuster either. I've used them before and they definitely have their faults. But you just can't make a blanket claim that one service is better than the other. It's a matter of opinion based on many factors, not a black and white issue.

Neutral

Miggity @ Apr 1st 2009 7:21PM

Cool, I've never "pwned" anyone before! What do I win?

"Biggest Internet Loser of the Slow Day at Work" award?

I'll take it!

Neutral

zargon @ Apr 1st 2009 12:21PM

I canceled my account. It is not necessarily about the money, more so the principle of the hike. $3 more for the 3 discs at a time is bs.

Not a loss, I have had the same movies sitting at my house since we moved in September. That and we haven't really had time to watch many movies, we just buy the ones we really want.

Highly Ranked

Miggity @ Apr 1st 2009 12:43PM

That comment is about as irrelevant to this conversation as one of the idiots that gives a product 1 star on Newegg when their order arrives DOA or broken because UPS damaged it in transit.

You haven't watched any of your movies in 6 months and yet still subscribe? That's your bad.

Highly Ranked

zargon @ Apr 1st 2009 1:20PM

If you had chosen to actually read my comment and then used reason, if you have any. You would have noticed that I said I canceled the service due to the price hike and it was about the principle more than the money.

Never did I attribute me sitting on the movies as the reason I canceled the service, only stated that canceling the service wouldn't be a loss since I wasn't really using it in the first place.

Low Ranked

Miggity @ Apr 1st 2009 1:32PM

"Never did I attribute me sitting on the movies as the reason I canceled the service, only stated that canceling the service wouldn't be a loss since I wasn't really using it in the first place."

Bill: Ted, while I agree that, in time, our band will be most triumphant. The truth is, Wyld Stallyns will never be a super band until we have Eddie Van Halen on guitar.
Ted: Yes, Bill. But, I do not believe we will get Eddie Van Halen until we have a triumphant video.
Bill: Ted, it's pointless to have a triumphant video before we even have decent instruments.
Ted: Well, how can we have decent instruments when we don't really even know how to play?
Bill: That is why we NEED Eddie Van Halen!
Ted: And THAT is why we need a triumphant video.
Bill, Ted: EXCELLENT!

Neutral

h0mi @ Apr 1st 2009 3:28PM

I'm in a similar boat but I just removed bluray from my queue. I have many DVDs in the queue and haven't actually rented a blu-ray from netflix to date (largely because Ive had the same DVD for 2 months now). So to save the $1 (now $2 a month) since I'm not renting blu's from netflix, I dropped it.

Highly Ranked

Bennie @ Apr 1st 2009 12:29PM

I have no choice but to bend over and take it. But I guarantee that I will make up for the extra $2 by piling on the free streaming service via my 360.

Highest Ranked

chumley @ Apr 1st 2009 12:30PM

I'm amazed at the number or people who say they are going to cancel altogether. I guess that will leave more BD disks for everyone else.

Neutral

Miggity @ Apr 1st 2009 12:35PM

That's what I'm saying. Dude its a couple bucks. What are you gonna do if you cancel out of some misplaced desire to protest? Not watch HD movies? Switch to Blockbuster Online?

Neither of those are viable options.

You'll get over it.

Neutral

yincrash @ Apr 1st 2009 12:40PM

Agreed. At the most, remove the blu-ray if it is no longer worth it to you. Canceling because of the hike makes no sense if there is no one to switch to that is more worthwhile.

Highly Ranked

Patrick @ Apr 1st 2009 2:43PM

I agree as well. I'm on a 2-at-a-time plan and watch 6 to 10 movies a month, most of which are on Blu-ray. So Netflix for me is still the cheapest, most cost-effective (and gas-effective) way to do what I'm doing. I'm glad if people cancel their Blu-rays, because that'll allow me to get mine faster (takes anywhere from zero days to three months to get them now).

Neutral

Justin @ Apr 2nd 2009 8:20AM

0-3 days!? On average, I am waiting 1-2 months (and in some cases 3-4 months) for BD titles. That is the only reason that I am canceling (probably just going to suspend it for awhile). I would be completely ok with the price hike if I received my BDs in a more timely manner.

Neutral

MisterLas @ Apr 1st 2009 12:31PM

$5 extra each month on my bill for Blu-ray... they are smoking something! Granted BD looks amazing...

Neutral

Jeff @ Apr 2nd 2009 5:29PM

It's five bucks. It costs you that to rent one movie at blockbusters. This is for unlimited blu ray. The discs cost netflix twice as much to buy from the studios than a DVD, so it's common business sense that they have to charge a little more, to sustain their business. Again, it's Five bucks, the cost of one drink at a bar. It won't kill ya.

Highest Ranked

numerwan @ Apr 1st 2009 12:40PM

I'll give it a month... if nothing has changed, im dropping the Blu-option... i just dont like the "per-disc" charge when some weeks i dont even get a bluray movie... I would have been content if it was $1 increase across the board instead of screwing you based on the more you rent...

Neutral

Jason @ Apr 1st 2009 12:42PM

I've un-checked the Blu-ray option. Netflix can suck it!

Neutral

Jason's a moron @ Apr 2nd 2009 5:31PM

You're an idiot. You'll spend 9 bucks to see one movie in the theater, yet you're gonna complain about a buck to see a higher quality disc, that they HAVE to charge, cause the disc costs them twice as much to buy than a normal DVD? Moron.

Neutral

Levi @ Apr 1st 2009 1:04PM

Blockbuster has a plan comparible to my current Netflix account for $5/mo. less. I'm going to give them a second chance just to send a clear message to Netflix.

Details here: https://www.blockbuster.com/signup/s/plan
(click "See all available plans" in the lower right)

Highest Ranked

James T @ Apr 1st 2009 1:11PM

So we'll see you back on Netflix in a month or do you think you will actually last two months before you get sick of their bait and switch plan that seems cheaper now.

Former Blockbuster Renter motto: "Fool me once shame on you BB, fool me twice shame on you MoFuBa BB!"

Neutral

Miggity @ Apr 1st 2009 1:19PM

I'm telling you this as a fellow former Blockbuster Online customer... its not tight. Here in Portland, OR at least, their service was sooooo slooooow. No joke.

Also you used to be able to get a DVD in the store to watch while it took 3-4 days for your next one to arrive in the mail. But as far as I can tell, they've changed it so that in-store rental counts against your total number of discs out so your next disc won't actually get sent... that sucks. That was literally the ONE thing Blockbuster had going for them.

Highly Ranked

Hearsay @ Apr 1st 2009 2:49PM

@Miggity
I have been a long user of block buster online. I loved the in store exchange which was my main reason for sticking with them. Now that they have changed the in store exchange to count against my outgoing movies I was considering changing from them soon.

Now that Netflix has raised the price of Blu-ray I am considering not switching like I was going to do. I really like the Blu-rays. I also like the video streaming from netflix.

The nice thing about BB's new rental program movies you get from the in store exchange show up on your queue so you can also rate those movies and they will then be used for your movie suggestions.

BB has many problems some have improved others have not. I still don't know what I will do with them.

Highest Ranked

Brian @ Apr 1st 2009 12:59PM

I'm on the two at a time unlimited plan and my price is going up from $1 to $3. Although I'm not happy about it, I'm willing to pay the extra $2 if Netflix is actually going to have enough BD copies of new releases to eliminate the often ridiculous wait times.

Neutral

shaitien @ Apr 1st 2009 3:01PM

I'm on the 2-at-time plan too and I agree with you, I'll pay it and hopefully have a decreased wait with Blu-Rays. I'd also like to see streaming to the PS3 but that may be asking for too much.

Neutral

chrhon @ Apr 1st 2009 1:16PM

I don't know why people are putting down the blockbuster plan. They used to be slow with Blu-ray but since Oct. or so I am getting blu-ray new releases very quickly. Sometimes they day they come out. I am super pleased with my Blockbuster online these days.

Neutral

Jeff N. @ Apr 1st 2009 1:21PM

I'm dropping 1 Blu-ray off my plan. It's not a big deal.
I still get very good service from Netflix and it's much much cheaper
to rent Blu-rays than to buy one. I can be on the 3 Blu-rays at a time plan and it's cheaper than buying one new Blu-ray.

Neutral

dagamer34 @ Apr 1st 2009 1:24PM

Meh, $1 more for the 1-at-a-time plan really isn't going to hurt the wallet.

Neutral

Matt @ Apr 1st 2009 1:53PM

I too have the Netflix 1 at a time (2 per month). With netflix it's like $6.99 (that includes the blu-ray fee), Blockbuster has the same plan for $3.99. Time to switch... of course I recommend you don't cancel Netflix, just put your account "on hold" so you can keep your queue, ratings, etc. If BB works out, I will officially cancel Netflix.

Neutral

James T @ Apr 1st 2009 1:27PM

I'm fine with Netflix increasing their cost for Blu-Ray accounts. I'm sure they are being gauged on price just like us. I'm sure when the cost to us drops Netflix will drop their price too. They have always been good about pricing and have dropped subscription prices whenever possible.

Besides, they are the only game in town. Redbox never came through on Blu-Ray... http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/11/24/its-official-redbox-welcomes-blu-ray-with-open-arms/

Four months and still nothing in any of my local boxes.

Neutral

LiqwidZero @ Apr 1st 2009 1:31PM

Nope. I stopped renting from Netflix for a while. I only stream now.

Neutral

VSingh @ Apr 1st 2009 7:55PM

I have been with Netflix since 2001 and this is the first time I feel stabbed in the back. $1 to $4 - a four fold increase is rediculous. I have disabled my Blue Ray subscription and am considering Blockbuster or at a minimum will downgrade my Netflix sub to just 2 DVDs at a time so I can stay at $16.99 per month.

Also I am not sure how they are doing the Math. The Price of Blue Ray discs is 30% higher so they increased the subscription by 400% ?????

Very disappointing!

Neutral

Nick @ Apr 2nd 2009 11:50AM

You sir, are a moron.
You don't know how they're doing the math... How are YOU doing the math? I'm on a 5 at a time plan, which costs me 30 bucks a month (roughly). If they're charging me 5 bucks extra for blu ray, that would be 16% higher than DVD, you ignorant little man. If they were increasing the price by 400%, I'd be paying 120 bucks. Take your second grade math and get out, prick.

Highest Ranked

Jherico @ Apr 1st 2009 1:40PM

I both took off blu-ray and dropped my number plan by 2 slots in protest. The blanket way of applying this change is incredibly stupid and a blatant money grab by netflix. There are probably a lot of people out there who have 4 or more discs at a time plans and who rarely watch blu-ray. I myself watch a blu-ray disc from netflix maybe once a month, meaning suddenly the charge for that privilege was a $6 surcharge for that one disc.

If they'd wanted to recoup more money for their blu-ray expenditures, there are fairer ways of doing it, such as offering a per-disc surcharge or letting you upgrade individual slots in your plan to blu-ray.

p.s. Miggity and Levi, you both sound like shills for Netflix and BB respectively.

Neutral

Miggity @ Apr 1st 2009 1:47PM

When I was a subscriber, the only thing Blockbuster Online did better was the envelopes.

Neutral

Lazarus Dark @ Apr 1st 2009 1:43PM

Went from 4 to 3 as soon as I got the email from Netflix. I've got a budget to maintain.

Neutral

Unknown @ Apr 1st 2009 1:54PM

I signed up for bluray the day before the increase was announced. So in one day they tripled the cost, it makes me think they are targeting me.

I may be paranoid but it doesn't mean I'm wrong. :)

Neutral

Greg S. @ Apr 1st 2009 2:31PM

Hey, you're missing an option on the poll. I got a BD player the same day and clicked the option to receive BluRays as soon as I heard the price went up.

Previously, I didn't know it was even an option, but that still means I increased my subscription upon hearing about the price increase.

So, I guess with me, Netflix is going to say, "Hey, price increases actually appeal to some customers!"

We're screwed.

Neutral

Derek @ Apr 1st 2009 2:40PM

Here's a similar poll:

http://tinyurl.com/Netflix-Poll

Highly Ranked

TeflonFong @ Apr 1st 2009 2:43PM

Blu-Rays are supposed to be more durable than DVDs...so in theory (with the fact that Blu-ray discs are declining in price) I really don't see the rationale of the significant rate hike. The 1.00 surcharge was fair in Oct- I really don't understand what happened between Oct. and April that made Netflix shift their stance; other than lack of competition from BlockBuster and the opportunity to shake down their premium subscribers. I enjoy the service, but I am going to change from the 3 out at a time to 2 out at a time in May- I will give them a LITTLE time to see how they respond to the instant backlash.

I wish there was a way to cancel streaming- I only get 1.5mbps in my area and I really can't take advantage of the HD streams thru my 360. Since I really only rent Blu-Rays (occasionally DVD) I would like an option to terminate my streaming option and maybe pay a dollar less/month.

Some good news: I got the Slumdog Millionaire Blu-Ray from Netflix and I noticed that none of the extra features were cut out. So maybe Netflix is not effected by the Fox policy of stripped down rented discs. Or I got extremely lucky!

Neutral

scJohn @ Apr 1st 2009 3:45PM

I currently do not have a BD player though I am considering buying one buy the end of the year. I have to admit that this increase will cause me pause. I am a 3 out at time for most of the year switching to 4 out for the summer months and then back to 3.

The really disappointing thing is that the original $1 BD surcharge has apparently not fixed the major complaint of 'very long waits' for BD movies. And I have my doubts that this latest price increase will fix that. There is nothing in their blog that says that they will be buying more copies of individual movies. Just that BD movies cost more than DVD.

So, what is NetFlix to do about BD movies? At this point in time only about 10% of their customer base has BD players. Should the other 90% subsidize the 10%? I know, the same thing could be said about their streaming service. I for one have never used the streaming service so in theory I am subsidizing those who do use it. What percentage of subscribers use the streaming service? Based upon management comments it would be seem to be far larger than the 10% BD customer base. Should NetFlix start adding a surcharge to the monthly bill for those who want to stream movies? Personally I think that you will see such a charge by the end of this year.

I will play the devil's advocate for a moment. NetFlix's future is using the internet as the delivery mechanism - not the mail. NetFlix does not care whether the internet is used for streaming or for downloading. I think that NetFlix has decided, at this point in time, that BD is going to be just a niche way of delivering their product and they are NOT going to provide financial resources to this delivery method. BD does fit into their business model and they wish that it would just go away.

Neutral

Lerch @ Apr 1st 2009 3:29PM

I had the three disc unlimited plan with blu-ray, but the third disc was a luxury: one for me, one for the wife, and a spare one for one of us to watch while we shipped our other one. With the price increase, and the fact that we often hadn't watched the "extra" disc before our replacement was shipped because the shipping speeds have gotten much better in our area, we decided to drop down to the two disc unlimited and keep blu-ray. It better reflects our current Netflix habits anyway, and our monthly subscription price remained the same.

Highly Ranked

Carl Kat @ Apr 1st 2009 3:30PM

It sucks, but I'll bend over and take it anyway... I contemplated dropping the BD adder, but the experience is so much better than DVD. I'm tired of getting throttled and nickel & dimed, though. We need some better competition to stir things up.

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