Netflix will cost more

You'll no longer be able to bundle DVDs and online streaming. You'll have to purchase them separately:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-tech/post/netflix-increases-prices-for-streaming-dvd-packages/2011/07/12/gIQA5EFvAI_blog.html

The company says the changes are to accommodate DVD-only customers. Such a shift toward the company's MORE costly option just doesn't make sense to me.

 

I bought their streaming-only service a few months ago and have been terribly disappointed. There's nothing on it. I am seriously thinking about ditching it entirely and just going with Comcast's included OnDemand (which has better offerings than Netflix streaming), and then just paying the $3.99 or whatever for the twice a month I want to watch a movie.

 

That is interesting.
I am on the cusp of buying a Roku unit so I can stream movies directly to my TV with lining in a laptop.
I have been planning to take this step with a follow up step of canceling HBO, the only premium mive chanels we get on DirecTV.
I had planned to make the move at the conclusion of the current 'True Blood' and 'Curb' seasons.

If/when I do this, I would get the 'stream only' package from Netflix.

 

The selection for the stream only stuff is not that great on Netflix

 

This should be good news for me, because I'm going to end up paying $2 less a month, but I'm annoyed. I very rarely stream any movies from Netflix but maybe once or twice a month, I do. I don't like that it's going to be all or nothing now and there's not enough good stuff available to justify paying 60% more than I do to be able to stream. There are 2 Redboxes on my block and I have On Demand through Comcast.

 

Considering Netflix's content selection, this seems like a bad idea. I imagine those who want to watch halfway decent movies are going to simply go to DVD only package, which is a step backward for Netflix, which I was under the impression wanted to ditch the costs associated with DVDs (postage, handling, etc.).

If they don't improve their streaming selections, I won't be getting that package anymore. In fact, the only reason I still have it is they spoke earlier this year about how they were hoping to improve their streaming selection with newer movies.

 

I enjoy Netflix streaming because I typically just watch the shows, and there is a good selection of shows.

I stick to Vudu to stream movies. They have all the new stuff, and you can stream in lower or higher quality depending on how much you want to spend.

 

I don't see how this accommodates DVD-viewers at all. It's seemed for awhile like Netflix is trying to steer customers toward streaming-only packages so they can save bank on mailing costs, and this just seems like another step in that direction.

I'll probably fork over the $15 a month for both, but I don't have cable at all, so Netflix is basically my only "TV" bill every month. If I was getting any sort of movie channel this'd be cause to drop it.

 

I don't think that's likely -- one big warning sign for Netflix's enormous stock run-up of the past 18 months is that their distribution deals are ending, and the next ones are going to cost tons more. For now they have a bit of an end-around, with a deal that gives them rights to Starz movies for $25 million a year, but that deal ends in 2012 and there's talk that the next deal could cost $250 million. (Plus which, the studios aren't happy that Starz let this happen and they are going to make sure their next contracts specifically prohibit it.)

To get a meaningful streaming library, especially of current films, is going to be a tall order for Netflix.

 

I would like to know what Netflix end game is for this strategy is for this.

If they beef up their streaming titles I'm in. If not I will go Blue Ray only.

 

To some extent, you had to know they couldn't keep offering what they were for the price. But, especially with a limited streaming selection, going up by more than 50 percent all at once seems a bit harsh. It's also their second price increase this year. When do they become a cable company?

They have more than 2,200 comments and growing fast on their blog. Haven't seen one comment that even suggests someone understands the move.

 

The growth rate for streaming content has been robust.
DVDs are bound to turn into fossils soon.