The big problem is the way content is packaged.  Having 200+ channels, including all the crap no one really wants, for $75/month is partially due to how the content is sold to the cable and dish companies.  Using the previous example, the consumer would much rather pick-and-choose channels ala cart for $0.38 / channel / month – but it’s just not going to happen under the current system.  The NFL channel costs the cable/dish provider more than Ion channel.  Reasonable ala cart pricing for consumers would substantially reduce the overall revenue for cable/dish providers and add complexity to their service, so there’s no incentive for them to fight for it.

I’m no apologist for cable/dish companies.  The whole system is rigged from the content producers to the content delivery companies to extract as much money out of our pockets as possible.  But when you sign up for a service, no one’s robbing you and you don’t have the right to steal from them.

No.
Because every time I turn on to watch an old movie, Netflix doesn’t have it on streaming.  I spent more time feeling frustrated by their lack of content than I did watching anything on Netflix.  Better off spending that $8/month on the lottery.  Better chances there than finding anything you want on Netflix.

Had been a Netflix customer for several years until Reed Hastings decided to tell us what he really thought of his customers (hit the road..we really don’t care). Took him up on his offer and haven’t missed it. Had already watched anything worth watching and they hardly ever had any new content. So yes, $7.99 is too much when I can spend that elsewhere for better streaming content. Also now get the occasional disc from Redbox without any monthly subscription charges.

Now I use redbox and the public library on occasion for DVDs. Hulu and other sources for streaming.

We Aussies are left out ALOT, maybe thats why we pirate everything so much.

Now that Discovery might be in the loop, I might reconsider.  We only use basic cable (to get cable internet), which includes locals in HD too.  That’s still a lot of channels, with several of the big networks in HD.  But my Discovery channels are SD, and if their shows are available in HD on Netflix, I might sign up again.  When we do watch tv, DSC’s stuff is about 1/3 of it.

there is not much new selection. I have watched 3 movies in three months, so I am paying 8 per movie which isn’t great value…I used to try to balance it with 4 DVD per month but that’s gone. If you haven’t seen many movies then its worth it, but for most it loses its value quickly 

However amazon video on demand is getting stronger.  I’ve been watching shows recently on that instead of netflix as I have a prime membership anyway.  Netflix is more stable though and works better on tablets.  Wider choice as well of movies.   

Netflix actually did me a favour in the end.  I ditched the dvds and now save $$$.

Also have a Samsung BR player with NetFlix and Hulu + clients.

We get DVD and streaming from NetFlix and streaming from Hulu. Total cost is less than $30 a month.

For us, this is a bargain. A 30 mile round trip to the nearest Red Box actually costs about $5, assuming they have what we want and it isn’t so scratched my player pukes.