Netflix Increases Price : Will Members Seek Alternatives?

Yesterday Netflix announced new plans and pricing changes.  As a result those who subscribe to their unlimited streaming + 1 DVD at a time in the mail will pay $15.98 instead of $9.99.  An increase of 60%.  They tried to spin the Netflix blog post as best they could but no one could turn this story into anything but a PR nightmare.  With over 5,000 comments and counting, Netflix customers are unhappy and letting the company know about it.

Those who subscribe to Netflix streaming service without DVD by mail won’t be impacted by the changes.  However, those currently on the $9.99 unlimited streaming + 1 DVD by mail plan will see a 60% increase in price.  Bringing the monthly cost to $15.98.  What does that mean for those impacted by the change?  Will they swallow the extra cost or seek alternatives?  Where will this whole episode end for Netflix?  Time will tell but I sure wouldn’t want to be working as a Netflix customer service rep right now.

Let’s face it, Netflix has it’s advantages but they also have some pretty big limitations.  I remember the first time I connected to the Netflix streaming service.  Thinking how cool it was to have instant access to all of that content.  Then after a few days I realized that the streaming content was fairly limited.  With long delays for most movies.  In addition to most current TV series being at least a season behind.

Here are just a few Netflix alternatives:

Redbox video

  • Standard DVD’s – $1 a day
  • Blu-ray movies – $1.50 a day
  • Video games – $2 a day
  • 28 day delay on some new DVD releases

Blockbuster Online

  • $11.99 for 1 DVD at a time by mail
  • $16.99 for 2 DVD at a time by mail
  • $19.99 for 3 DVD at a time by mail
  • No 28 day delay on new DVD releases

Amazon Instant Video

  • Free with an Amazon Prime subscription
  • Unlimited access to of over 6,000 movies
  • Free two-day shipping on Amazon Prime items
  • Rent movies and TV shows starting at $1.99

Hulu Plus

  • $7.99 a month for unlimited streaming
  • Access to 33,000 TV episodes
  • Hundreds of movies and documentaries
  • High def (720p) on some content

With Redbox you search for movies online and find the closest Redbox kiosk with the title in stock.  While Blockbuster Online provides movies by mail.  Hulu Plus and Amazon Instant Video are online services.  Similar to Netflix instant streaming.  For online services consider Personal VPN access.  Starting at $5 a month a good VPN will help secure your connection and ensure your privacy at home and when connected via public wifi.