Netflix Announces New Plans and Pricing

If you have not heard the news, I would be pretty surprised.  Right now, Netflix is a hot topic on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media outlets.  They have announced a new pricing plan.  For new members, it is effective immediately, for current members it will change over on September 1st.

The new set up separates the DVD options and online streaming options.  There will no longer be a plan for both.  The 7.99 unlimited online streaming will continue to exist.  A new plan for unlimited DVD’s with one out at a time has been created for 7.99.  Want both?  You’ll now have to pay for both!  For most people that will want to remain with the combo plan they have, this will mean a 60% increase in cost.  For those that wanted to add DVD’s to their streaming plan will now pay double.

Some do not seem to mind the change as they only want one or the other.  But many, like myself, who had the instant stream have come to the realization that the selection is horrible.  Way too often do I find the option to “Add DVD’s” to my plan as the only way to watch a movie I have searched for.  I have even found shows that have some episodes online and some DVD only.  I was recently considering upgrading my plan to fill the void of their selection.  After hearing this new announcement I have canceled my subscription instead.

Many groups on Facebook and Twitter are emerging, encouraging everyone to cancel their subscriptions on September 1st, when the switch over is suppose to occur.  I “liked” one of those groups on Facebook, but couldn’t wait.  When all the TV shows I watch are available for FREE on hulu and Comcast On Demand, and I have a Redbox down the street for the occasional DVD, why pay 15.98 to Netflix?

You can read a pretty good article here , which does point out that if one would choose the paid youtube, amazon, itunes, or comcast on demand options; after watching a few rentals you get pretty close in price to what Netflix is changing to.  However, the author does not point out the many free options and alternatives like Red Box.

Now, I do understand that Netflix does have a legitimate reason to increase their price for their services.  The demand for DVD’s is higher than they expected and licensing for streaming and DVD’s is increasing in price.  However, this is not a small increase over a few years.  This is a drastic jump in their pricing, one members are not ready for.  Just view their status on Facebook which announces their new plans.  When I started the article it was under 35,000 comments, now it’s over 35,000.

Does this new change effect you?  Will you cut back to only one of the plans, or will you upgrade to keep what you currently get?  Or like me and soon to be many others, will you cancel?