Netflix has decided to increase my plan price by 60%

[Shooter]

I'll probably keep the stream for $8 a month, my wife likes crappy horror movies and there is a decent amount of kid programming on there. If the streaming works for you, great! Personally, I'm not the type to just sit down and start searching for something. When I have time to watch a movie I want to watch something on my "must see" list. If I have to start flipping around and scrolling through lists to find something interesting, I'll just go do something else. I have chores and errands and two kids, along with trying to reserve a little time for hobbies and myself. The second I have to go putting effort into what should be a relaxing hour or two then I just move on to something else, maybe catch up on the reading I never seem to have time for anymore. So, the streaming will stay for now as long as the rest of the family is using it and we'll get new releases through Redbox or similar services.

 

[Germelli1]

I'll probably keep the stream for $8 a month, my wife likes crappy horror movies and there is a decent amount of kid programming on there. If the streaming works for you, great! Personally, I'm not the type to just sit down and start searching for something. When I have time to watch a movie I want to watch something on my "must see" list. If I have to start flipping around and scrolling through lists to find something interesting, I'll just go do something else. I have chores and errands and two kids, along with trying to reserve a little time for hobbies and myself. The second I have to go putting effort into what should be a relaxing hour or two then I just move on to something else, maybe catch up on the reading I never seem to have time for anymore. So, the streaming will stay for now as long as the rest of the family is using it and we'll get new releases through Redbox or similar services.

Understandable! Most time when I stream it is to put on while I study/analyze data from research lab/etc. Sometimes I prefer music and sometimes streaming movies. I make sure and rate the movies afterward and the Netflix recommendations are usually decent. When I sit down to enjoy a movie it is usually one from that list or I will go to a genre>subgenre that I am in the rood for, sort by rating and try one out.

Plus instant just got a few Quniton Tarantino movies, so its quality just exploded in my mind

 

[Shooter]

Understandable! Most time when I stream it is to put on while I study/analyze data from research lab/etc. Sometimes I prefer music and sometimes streaming movies. I make sure and rate the movies afterward and the Netflix recommendations are usually decent. When I sit down to enjoy a movie it is usually one from that list or I will go to a genre>subgenre that I am in the rood for, sort by rating and try one out.

Plus instant just got a few Quniton Tarantino movies, so its quality just exploded in my mind

Yeah, I do need to rate more of what I watch. I have also found a couple of random gems on Netflix. So, it's not like there isn't some interesting stuff on there I haven't heard about, but I usually have a film or two in my head before going on the service and if I can't find them I turn it off and go do something else. Like I said, my wife watches a lot of just awful/campy horror films while working out and the kids use it. So, the stream stays for now and the DVDs are going goodbye.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

We have dropped cable in favor of Netflix and Roku programming and honestly, I see no reason to go back even after consideration of the price plan change.

Is it irritating? Sure.

Unexpected? No.

The streaming service is whgat I expect it to be and is no better or worse than similar options. And frankly, since the switch I am less connected to TV as are the rest of my family. Opting instead for activities more physical.

But, for childrens and series programming, Netflix streaming gets a BIG win from me at $7.99 Unlimited to multiple devices. And now, with the promise of Ro-Connect and some tweaks my 3 Roku boxes are delivering on their promises too. To be able to rip a DVD to a HDD and have it where my 5 year old and wife can just browse for a title and play it is a nice convienience.

 

[sithspitt]

guess im canceling too. i dont use it enough anyway

 

[the_bird]

... and as I noted in another thread, I am *the_King* of finding interesting... uh... "late-night" programming on Netflix.

 

[Germelli1]

... and as I noted in another thread, I am *the_King* of finding interesting... uh... "late-night" programming on Netflix.

Watch "Student Services" if you have not already

 

[Bedlam]

Sneaky bastard

What Netflix is trying to do is this:

They will have all the people who dont stream (think of all the rural people in bumblefunk who cant even get DSL) switch to DVD only plan (no change for Netflix).

.

That'd be me. Streaming SUCKS monkey anatomy for us. We actually DO have DSL, but are so far from the node that it takes about 10 min to stream 15 min of a show. Not worth it.

But, we also are 10 miles from a cell phone signal and practically have a party line for a phone, too. Honestly, I can often hear other folks dialing/talking when I'm on our land line. Isn't it 2011? Or did I take a wrong turn somewhere?

I suppose I should just be thanking my lucky stars that I don't have to use beta...

Reporting from Bumblefunk,

Bedlam

 

[the_bird]

Watch "Student Services" if you have not already

We did. There's a lot of stuff that ends up getting vetoed by the_Wife once it turns violent/non-consensual, that was one. "9 Songs" is probably the best late-night flick, along with "Room In Rome" and "Exterminating Angels."

There's a bunch of really, really weird Japanese nudie flicks out there, too, stuff that's not subtitled or dubbed or anything.

 

[cheezydemon3]

"O" is all I have to say.

Not sure if it is still on there though.

 

[Homercidal]

We did. There's a lot of stuff that ends up getting vetoed by the_Wife once it turns violent/non-consensual, that was one. "9 Songs" is probably the best late-night flick, along with "Room In Rome" and "Exterminating Angels."

There's a bunch of really, really weird Japanese nudie flicks out there, too, stuff that's not subtitled or dubbed or anything.

Tell us more..

 

[mr_goodwrench]

I would gladly pay the $15.98 a month for streaming only if I could stream their entire catalog. For me, the DVD is a bit of a hassle. I haven't decided what I want to do yet. SWMBO wants to drop streaming, I would rather drop the DVD. Our daughter watches plenty of kids shows on streaming so just for that the $7.99 would be a decent deal. I would prefer to go a different route altogether for movies.

 

[bmsteele]

I had Netflix years ago and once I saw Hulu, I switch instantly and never looked back.

HULU (www.hulu.com) is free (~90 sec ads during the commercial breaks) and is streamed in 480P.

For something comparable to Netflix (more selection, less advertising), their service is $7/mo and is streamed in HD, and is then available on your phone, Ipad, etc.

No way, Hulu sucks ass compared to Netlix.

Okay, not really...

But to me the commercials get very annoying very quickly... and they are super repetitive and several popular shows (Simpsons, Community for example) are web only so you can't watch them on something like an Xbox or PS3... what is that sh*t??

I would gladly pay in the $10-$15 a month range for Hulu+ if they axed the commercials at least.

And in other news... freaking screw the movie/ tv production studios etc. They are the ones to blame for stupid streaming stipulations, licensing absurdity and restrictions. They're the ones that are going to increase Netflix' licensing fees by somthing stupid like 300%... They're the ones to blame for pushing so hard to see that the Redbox and Netflix models fail.

...and it just pushes me to pirate/torrent sh*t even more

ok so it's a bit of a touchy subject for me... okay time for an afternoon beer.

 

[bmsteele]

I would gladly pay the $15.98 a month for streaming only if I could stream their entire catalog. For me, the DVD is a bit of a hassle. I haven't decided what I want to do yet. SWMBO wants to drop streaming, I would rather drop the DVD. Our daughter watches plenty of kids shows on streaming so just for that the $7.99 would be a decent deal. I would prefer to go a different route altogether for movies.

+1.

And another +1 on the kids shows... life saver.

 

[jkarp]

I would gladly pay the $15.98 a month for streaming only if I could stream their entire catalog. For me, the DVD is a bit of a hassle. I haven't decided what I want to do yet. SWMBO wants to drop streaming, I would rather drop the DVD.

We're in the exact same boat. With Netflix now holding back new releases a minimum of 30 days anyway, I'd rather punt DVDs and just watch the 1 or 2 worthy new releases each month on PPV.

Of course, that's EXACTLY what Netflix wants us all to do. They want out of the DVD business ASAFP and this pricing is the 1st step towards that goal. Bring up a private / incognito browser session and go to Netflix's homepage. Not even a hint about DVD rental.

 

[RMitch]

There's too many damn kids shows on Netflix. I wish you could filter them out when searching alphabetically.

 

[RMitch]

We're in the exact same boat. With Netflix now holding back new releases a minimum of 30 days anyway, I'd rather punt DVDs and just watch the 1 or 2 worthy new releases each month on PPV.

Of course, that's EXACTLY what Netflix wants us all to do. They want out of the DVD business ASAFP and this pricing is the 1st step towards that goal. Bring up a private / incognito browser session and go to Netflix's homepage. Not even a hint about DVD rental.

I heard it was 60+ days. Only 30 days?

 

[jkarp]

I heard it was 60+ days. Only 30 days?

Depends on the deal they signed with the studio. Pretty sure you're right - some are 60 days.

 

[RMitch]

What Netflix should just do is increase membership fee, buy some damn servers, and go full streaming access.

Until then, Megavideo FTW.

 

[Mongrel]

The watch instantly redesign is awful. If anything, I'll stick with the dvd side.

 

[RDWHAHB]

What a bunch of whiners. Pony up your $6 or step away from the tv.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

The watch instantly redesign is awful. If anything, I'll stick with the dvd side.

What redeisgn? On the PC?

I have always searched/browsed the Instant streams from Roku and I haven't noticed any changes in that GUI.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

What a bunch of whiners. Pony up your $6 or step away from the tv.

$8.00USD. Please keep up!

 

[RDWHAHB]

Oh, never mind. I'm with the pitchfork crowd at the $8 mark. Carry on.

 

[RMitch]

What redesign?

I usually watch on the ole xbox rather than pc anyways. 60 inch flat screen > 24 inch flat screen.

:cross:

 

[Germelli1]

The redesign SUCKS! I load up my instant que for xbox from the PC and I hate the new layout. Makes me want to punch babies and strangle puppies

Disclaimer: That was a joke (Not the hating the new layout part though)

 

[Mongrel]

What redeisgn? On the PC?

I have always searched/browsed the Instant streams from Roku and I haven't noticed any changes in that GUI.

Yeah, on the PC. I queue up my movies to stream through my blu-ray player.

 

[JJL]

If Netflix could stream everything they have in the DVD catalogue, they'd be charging a helluva lot more than $8 a month! Certainly the demand would be there, but they'd also be paying a lot more in fees to the content owners.

I'm more than happy with streaming, but a lot come down to expectations. I don't go looking for a specific title to stream, I sit down and look for something (among the limited offerings) that looks interesting. I've watched a ton of movies, some excellent, some terrible, that I never would have watched otherwise. I mean, ****, it's not like I'm going to go LOOKING for documentaries about polka musicians who run Ponzi schemes.

For $8 a month, it's not going to replace your $100/month cable.

I still think/hope that Netflix ultimately evolves into a tiered service. Keep a very basic service at about the current price point, but offer an "enhanced" service that includes more recent offerings and a better overall selection.

I don't necessarily go looking for anything specific on streaming anymore either. It's gotten to the point where I can sit and scroll through for 20 minutes and find nothing of any real interest. I'm not expecting streaming to replace cable at $8/mo. What I am expecting is that if they are billing themselves as a movie/tv aftermarket provider, they should offer me something I would actually want. They do offer the DVD movies and TV I want. I am more than willing to wait for something to be released on DVD to watch it if I know it will be available at some point. But, to randomly surf around to try and find something that might be remotely interesting from their streaming library is really worth $0 to me. But that's just me. To each his own.

 

[RMitch]

I don't necessarily go looking for anything specific on streaming anymore either. It's gotten to the point where I can sit and scroll through for 20 minutes and find nothing of any real interest. I'm not expecting streaming to replace cable at $8/mo. What I am expecting is that if they are billing themselves as a movie/tv aftermarket provider, they should offer me something I would actually want. They do offer the DVD movies and TV I want. I am more than willing to wait for something to be released on DVD to watch it if I know it will be available at some point. But, to randomly surf around to try and find something that might be remotely interesting from their streaming library is really worth $0 to me. But that's just me. To each his own.

I'd rather pay more to have full streaming access. But maybe it's just me. Say I'm hanging with friends and want to throw on a movie, its just not as fun to tell them, "Hey guys, its cool...come back next week and we'll watch it. I just gotta queue it up, and let them mail it to me, then we'll watch it."

Renting DVDs through Netflix is pointless. If I want a a new release I'll just walk over to RedBox, throw a dollar in and have it instantly.

On Xbox, they have Zune service which would be good if it weren't so damn expensive, as they do tend to have the new releases on it pretty quickly. $6-7 to rent a digital copy of a movie for 24 hours? No thank you.

 

[JJL]

I'd rather pay more to have full streaming access. But maybe it's just me. Say I'm hanging with friends and want to throw on a movie, its just not as fun to tell them, "Hey guys, its cool...come back next week and we'll watch it. I just gotta queue it up, and let them mail it to me, then we'll watch it."

Renting DVDs through Netflix is pointless. If I want a a new release I'll just walk over to RedBox, throw a dollar in and have it instantly.

On Xbox, they have Zune service which would be good if it weren't so damn expensive, as they do tend to have the new releases on it pretty quickly. $6-7 to rent a digital copy of a movie for 24 hours? No thank you.

For me, it's nearly a 30 minute drive to a Rebox, so I'm ok with paying for the convenience of having a DVD delivered to me. But yes, I'd be willing to pay a little more for streaming if the offering was better.