Comments on: Is this the chance Netflix rivals have been waiting for? http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/ Feeding Your Gadget and Tech Obsessions Tue, 15 May 2012 14:06:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Leslie K http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-143307 Leslie K Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:29:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-143307 When you are relying solely on streaming for all your TV entertainment (no cable or dish), Netflix is a bargain, even with the price increase.  I could care less about the DVD’s mailed out to me.  Unfortunately I have to choose this plan in order to get streaming on all of my devices in my home.  5 rooms and 3 ipods to stream?  Yep, worth it.  Unlimited streaming is all I’m after.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-124451 Anonymous Tue, 19 Jul 2011 22:26:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-124451  ” biggest expense is  licensing for all the movies”

Any you can get both great service and content by completely bypassing that bottleneck. Ergo http://www.letmewatchthis.ch

I use them easily 10x as much as my netflix subscription.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-124450 Anonymous Tue, 19 Jul 2011 22:22:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-124450 The big question is: Why use a service at all?

I watch shows and movies at the free site http://www.letmewatchthis.ch WAY more than I use my Netflix subscription. Enjoy.

http://www.letmewatchthis.ch

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-124447 Anonymous Tue, 19 Jul 2011 22:15:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-124447 Actually my take on the whole thing is that Netflix’s increase is a sign to come across all businesses. The price increase is a response to coming inflation, nothing more. Today Netflix, tomorrow it’ll be every product you buy.
THAT is the unstated reason why everyone is upset. 

“All this anguish over a McCheese, fries, and medium McSoda?”

Quite soon those could become luxury items with the financial path we are on. See you there.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-124445 Anonymous Tue, 19 Jul 2011 22:11:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-124445 If you aren’t upset at a 60% price increase for no reason other than profit in the middle of the worst economy this century, coupled with no added value, I would call that a problem. Most intelligent people view ANY reduction of their spending power, which is what this is, a response to inflation, with trepidation.
What if next time the increase isn’t $6/month, but substantially higher? Oh wait, I forgot you have unlimited income. We’ll just go eat cake then….

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-124446 Anonymous Tue, 19 Jul 2011 22:11:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-124446 If you aren’t upset at a 60% price increase for no reason other than profit in the middle of the worst economy this century, coupled with no added value, I would call that a problem. Most intelligent people view ANY reduction of their spending power, which is what this is, a response to inflation, with trepidation.
What if next time the increase isn’t $6/month, but substantially higher? Oh wait, I forgot you have unlimited income. We’ll just go eat cake then….

]]> By: Yong Pong http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-124031 Yong Pong Mon, 18 Jul 2011 22:43:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-124031 Poor planning on their part should not constitute an inconvenience on our part.

]]> By: The Nerdy Nurse http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-124030 The Nerdy Nurse Mon, 18 Jul 2011 22:37:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-124030 Honestly, with shipping times, you really can’t get 8 movies a month from Netflix. I mean I guess you could, but its usually at least 3 days before I get another, especially if a weekend is involved. Redbox doesn’t close and you have til 9pm to return it, not whenever the mail decides to run

]]> By: smalls http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123867 smalls Mon, 18 Jul 2011 12:22:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123867 If you can’t afford a $6 a month increase, you have more serious problems to deal with.

]]> By: Mike http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123849 Mike Mon, 18 Jul 2011 09:10:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123849 What I find funny is how many people believe they were getting a great deal from Netflix.  Yes many people overused the service. But a great deal of people didn’t even get their monies worth on the service. This is a gym membership business where the vast majority of people are paying and not using it. This is just another we can get this to $19.95 a month scams in life that at some point they will blame other industries for why they need to charge $100 a month just like cable does now. All a scam to get more out of your pockets. The idiots that feel like they are getting a deal at the new price are the same idiots that think iPods/iPads are worth every penny.  Get over it if you idiots would say no we would all get iPads for $100 and 60gb iPods for $40. Price is driven by what the market will support not what it costs. Cost hasn’t been a factor for years and many markets have become cheaper with technology putting retail outlets out of business.

]]> By: Mike http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123850 Mike Mon, 18 Jul 2011 09:10:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123850 What I find funny is how many people believe they were getting a great deal from Netflix.  Yes many people overused the service. But a great deal of people didn’t even get their monies worth on the service. This is a gym membership business where the vast majority of people are paying and not using it. This is just another we can get this to $19.95 a month scams in life that at some point they will blame other industries for why they need to charge $100 a month just like cable does now. All a scam to get more out of your pockets. The idiots that feel like they are getting a deal at the new price are the same idiots that think iPods/iPads are worth every penny.  Get over it if you idiots would say no we would all get iPads for $100 and 60gb iPods for $40. Price is driven by what the market will support not what it costs. Cost hasn’t been a factor for years and many markets have become cheaper with technology putting retail outlets out of business.

]]> By: Answrtek http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123534 Answrtek Sat, 16 Jul 2011 02:48:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123534 We are in hard economic times. There is no way to paint this move as positive when they have increased pricing by 60%. No matter what the “market will bear”, which is just more geek speak for whatever they can overcharge for, I cannot afford it and cancelled entirely today. I’ll bet a lot of people did the same. No way you can convince me that a decision that costs you subscribers for all future purchase decisions is a smart “strategic move”. Name one organization that alientates its customer base and also doesn’t have a monopoly on the market. They just saved Blockbuster from Oblivion.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123525 Anonymous Sat, 16 Jul 2011 02:23:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123525 I saw this coming a good year ago when I cancelled after their first price hike on the 3 at a time DVD and unlimited streaming option. I knew sooner or later they’d realize that they’d probably make a killing on the streaming only option and that’s the market they really want to capture. Shipping DVD’s out aren’t good for their bottomline even though they were still very profitable from that venture. I’m glad I cancelled before I incurred any of the new charges from their greedy hands. From this point forward I’ll just use Redbox, maybe Vudu, amazon, Hulu, and even better than them all…the INTERNET. The only thing I pay there is for the service itself.

]]> By: Ezra M. Fortune http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123424 Ezra M. Fortune Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:13:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123424 This. I am with you on this. It seems like a good service, but the streaming content isn’t the best. They have 30 day free trials for anyone who can prove they were a Netflix customer…too lazy to find the link..google it haha.

Alternatively, I am considering the NetFlix streaming (the PS3 app is too convenient to lose) and renting at Redbox/Amazon/Blockbuster. My current Netflix plan will go to $20/month, but I can stream Netflix for $8..so that leaves $12/month for Redbox rentals and downloads. Seems like a good idea to me, as I could only get about 12 Netflix discs a month anyways.

]]> By: Ezra M. Fortune http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123425 Ezra M. Fortune Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:13:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123425 Ditto! Or at least say, “Look at all this new content you are getting!”

]]> By: First Name http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123326 First Name Thu, 14 Jul 2011 21:52:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123326 Yes, there was a reason I was with Netflix in the first place. The price was right for what was offered, and more critically, Netflix was the only game in town. That isn’t true anymore. There are competing DVD rental services (Blockbuster and Redbox) and streaming services (Amazon Prime, Hulu Plus) at very similar price points. To put this in perspective, Amazon Prime amortized out is now only 58 cents more a month than Netflix’s streaming plan, and then you also get free 2-day shipping on nearly anything you buy from them. Blockbuster is $2 more a month than Netflix’s 1-DVD plan, and then you get unlimited in-store exchanges and you can get games in addition to DVDs.

Before, Netflix was far and away the best deal for both services if you used both services. But now that Netflix costs have risen by 60% (!) they are far and a way less competitive on that basis. I as a customer am reevaluating my options, as should you and everyone else that used their services. Maybe Netflix is still the best deal for you and many others, but maybe it’s not. I’m fairly certain it isn’t the best deal for me anymore.

And a 60% price hike is a *huge* deal, no matter what business a company is in. You talk about McDonalds… what do you think would happen if they had a 60% price increase? I for one would eat at Taco Bell more!

]]> By: First Name http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123323 First Name Thu, 14 Jul 2011 21:25:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123323 I’ll be switching to Blockbuster as soon as my parents watch the movie they have out. For a dollar less a month than Netflix is bumping their price to I can go from 1 DVD w/ streaming to 2 (including games) without streaming. That should translate into a heck of a lot more to watch, particularly with the unlimited instant exchanges at any of their stores. Sure, I won’t be able to stream anything (which really does suck since I just bought a pair of Roku XDs for myself and my parents) but at this point I almost feel like we’ve already watched everything on their streaming service, given their thus far abominable rate of adding good content.

]]> By: DaGuest http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123302 DaGuest Thu, 14 Jul 2011 19:17:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123302 While I cannot say that I am completely surprised by the amount of venom being spit Netflix’s way, I am a bit surprised by the lack of perspective.
Netflix streaming + DVD was a remarkable value…and quite frankly underpriced in relation to the market.  We have benefited from this for quite some time now.  While I know that everyone wants a “deal”, I think it is hilarious that people feel that they deserve a steal.  The new pricing structure is STILL more than fair.  Additionally…there ARE alternatives.  I dare you to try them out and see how happy you are.
There is a reason that you were with Netflix in the first place, and this change is (remember…perspective) minor.  Don’t go get that McMeal one day in the month. Eat a sandwich form home 1 day.  That’ll pay the difference.  Really?  All this anguish over a McCheese, fries, and medium McSoda?

]]> By: Sekhar http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123274 Sekhar Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:56:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123274 Considering it takes about 3-4 days turnaround for a single DVD, you are looking at about 8 discs or less a month, especially if you are not good at putting them in the mail to return them. If you can and do watch more than 8 movies from Netflix a month (which I am not sure that you can), then the deal is a better one than Redbox. Like Avayagoods said, it is going to be streaming from Netflix and Redbox or Blockbuster for DVDs for me. In fact Blockbuster has regular and Bluray rentals for 99c a night!

]]> By: MaryBeth Williams Lowell http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123269 MaryBeth Williams Lowell Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:37:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123269 I’m so bummed about the price increase. I was hoping they’d grandfather in the loyal customers at the original rates.

]]> By: Rich http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123265 Rich Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:28:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123265 Netflix has to raise rates in order to survive.  Their contracts for streaming those precious shows and movies you all want to watch are going up ten-fold and higher as those original contract negotiations were so low as they were a new company.  Now that years have past and the first entry level contracts are expiring those same companies that own the rights of those videos and shows are increasing their fees as what was stated in the original contract.  There is no way any of these movie studios are going to lower their price they own the market and they want to continue running it. 
 Netflix does not have a say in this…. I wouldn’t be surprised if Netflix goes out of business and going out of business because the media companies don’t want their content being offered at a such low price that Netflix has to raise their prices just to break even.

]]> By: Guest http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123246 Guest Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:14:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123246 Only used the streaming so I don’t really care.  However I cancelled a few weeks back because a) no app support for android tablets (Asus Transformer) and b) terrible selection for Canadian market.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123242 Anonymous Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:55:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123242 Personally I don’t care about this split. I’ve had the same DVD’s sitting on my table for months simply because I’ve been to lazy to mail them back. Heck I’ve already watched them and since I can stream anytime well…………….

Who cares and thanks for all the good flicks Netflix.

]]> By: Denster2u http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123219 Denster2u Thu, 14 Jul 2011 12:20:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123219 You know, it wasn’t that long ago, when people (including myself) drove to Blockbuster and paid $3-$4 a pop per movie, per night. We probably shelled out $30-$40 a month in movie rentals. Now, in the age where you can stream unlimited movies and rent unlimited DVDs for a fraction of the cost, everyone is going to bitch about a price increase? If you ask me, we’ve been spoiled. Now that we have the all-you-can-eat movie buffet for $10 a month, we get appalled by what amount to a negligible price increase when you put things in perspective. How many people still spend $100+ month for overpriced cable TV?  The fact is Netflix has a smart business model and there biggest expense is  licensing for all the movies. In order to provide us with the best selection of movies, especially new releases, they are going to have to generate more revenue to arrange for more lucrative deals with the movie studios. I think it’s a legitimate price increase and it will be reflected in improved content in the near future.

]]> By: Denster2u http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123220 Denster2u Thu, 14 Jul 2011 12:20:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123220 You know, it wasn’t that long ago, when people (including myself) drove to Blockbuster and paid $3-$4 a pop per movie, per night. We probably shelled out $30-$40 a month in movie rentals. Now, in the age where you can stream unlimited movies and rent unlimited DVDs for a fraction of the cost, everyone is going to bitch about a price increase? If you ask me, we’ve been spoiled. Now that we have the all-you-can-eat movie buffet for $10 a month, we get appalled by what amount to a negligible price increase when you put things in perspective. How many people still spend $100+ month for overpriced cable TV?  The fact is Netflix has a smart business model and there biggest expense is  licensing for all the movies. In order to provide us with the best selection of movies, especially new releases, they are going to have to generate more revenue to arrange for more lucrative deals with the movie studios. I think it’s a legitimate price increase and it will be reflected in improved content in the near future.

]]> By: J_Breez http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123185 J_Breez Thu, 14 Jul 2011 04:55:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123185 Anybody can see that this might not truly be something the folks at netflix wish to do themselves but have to. As far as this being the chance for rivals, it’s really not unless they do some massive overhaul of their respective models, Hulu still has the ads and a not so great move catalogue, Blockbuster is more expensive and has virtually no streaming option, Redbox also has no streaming but in my opinion is a better alternative with game rentals in addition, Amazon is kind of iffy on quality, and then there’s youtube and Apple rentals that can rack up expenses fast.

]]> By: J_Breez http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123186 J_Breez Thu, 14 Jul 2011 04:55:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123186 Anybody can see that this might not truly be something the folks at netflix wish to do themselves but have to. As far as this being the chance for rivals, it’s really not unless they do some massive overhaul of their respective models, Hulu still has the ads and a not so great move catalogue, Blockbuster is more expensive and has virtually no streaming option, Redbox also has no streaming but in my opinion is a better alternative with game rentals in addition, Amazon is kind of iffy on quality, and then there’s youtube and Apple rentals that can rack up expenses fast.

]]> By: Jason http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123148 Jason Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:21:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123148 This isn’t the first time they raised their rates on me. This wont be the end, and i’m done playing along.

]]> By: Jason http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123149 Jason Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:21:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123149 This isn’t the first time they raised their rates on me. This wont be the end, and i’m done playing along.

]]> By: Jason http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123150 Jason Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:21:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123150 This isn’t the first time they raised their rates on me. This wont be the end, and i’m done playing along.

]]> By: Avayagoods http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123140 Avayagoods Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:08:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123140 In my experience, Redbox has better availability of newer releases than Netflix has ever had.  Couple that with the poor selection of streaming content from Netflix and it looks like the only good choice (at least for now) is Netflix streaming and Redbox for new DVD’s. 

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123137 Anonymous Wed, 13 Jul 2011 23:54:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123137 Ya, discussed here: http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Netflix-Imposes-Significant-New-Price-Increase-115120

Looks like Netflix got handcuffed by their content providers. “Pay up or get nothing” … and so Netflix has to pass it on to their customers.

]]> By: Jonathan Smith http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123130 Jonathan Smith Wed, 13 Jul 2011 23:40:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123130 “Sure, customers who have DVD-and-streaming plans won’t be happy by the news, but do we really think it will be enough to push them to other services?” Yes. It has. I cancelled my Netflix subscription and switched to Amazon. I’m also actively promoting friends and family in to getting newsgroup subscriptions and network media streaming software such as PlayOn, as well as digital DVRs to save the video they download or stream.

I’m not naive enough to think this is entirely Netflix (I’m looking at you, MPAA and the rest of the crew), but passing their costs off to customers by a factor of this size is absolute garbage.

]]> By: Jonathan Smith http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123131 Jonathan Smith Wed, 13 Jul 2011 23:40:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123131 “Sure, customers who have DVD-and-streaming plans won’t be happy by the news, but do we really think it will be enough to push them to other services?” Yes. It has. I cancelled my Netflix subscription and switched to Amazon. I’m also actively promoting friends and family in to getting newsgroup subscriptions and network media streaming software such as PlayOn, as well as digital DVRs to save the video they download or stream.

I’m not naive enough to think this is entirely Netflix (I’m looking at you, MPAA and the rest of the crew), but passing their costs off to customers by a factor of this size is absolute garbage.

]]> By: Sean Switzer http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123118 Sean Switzer Wed, 13 Jul 2011 23:20:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123118 Netflix has no true competitor.  That is why they can get away with this price change.

]]> By: Sean Switzer http://www.slashgear.com/is-this-the-chance-netflix-rivals-have-been-waiting-for-13164838/#comment-123119 Sean Switzer Wed, 13 Jul 2011 23:20:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=164838#comment-123119 Netflix has no true competitor.  That is why they can get away with this price change.

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