No More Unlimited For You! Netflix Ending Unlimited Streaming and DVDs for $7.99

Nix July 12, 2011 POSTED IN » News

“Netflix it!” People actually know what you’re talking about when you say that, that’s how big the movie online distributor has gotten in recent years. Basically, it means to get the movie on DVD or, more likely nowadays, stream it through Netflix’s vast catalog of movies and TV shows. You were able to get either/or with Netflix’s highly affordable $9.99 a month unlimited plan. Well, not anymore.

Starting September 1st, existing Netflix customers will no longer be able to stream AND get movies in the mail for $7.99. Instead, customers will have to make a choice of either sticking to the unlimited stream-only $7.99 plan or unlimited DVDs in the mail for $7.99. Or if they still want both, they will now have to PAY for both ($15.98).

Says Andy Rendich, chief service and operations office for Netflix:

Netflix members love watching instantly, but we’ve come to recognize there is still a very large continuing demand for DVDs by mail. By better reflecting the underlying costs and offering our lowest prices ever for unlimited DVD, we hope to provide a great value to our current and future DVD-by-mail members.

Translation: “We’re so in your kitchen now, we think we can charge you more, and make up for the lost of pissed off customers with the higher rates.”

The new pricing plan will go into effect immediately for new members, but existing members will get a month and a half to get used to the idea of paying double for what they’re currently enjoying now.

How this effects you will depend entirely on how you “Netflix” your movies. If you’ve only streamed, then this will have no effect, as you could just switch over to the unlimited streaming pricing plan. Or if you don’t do that fancy schmancy streaming and prefer your movies on DVD, you could switch over to the unlimited DVDs-by-mail. Of course, not all new releases are available immediately for streaming, so there’s that issue. Personally, I know of plenty of Netflix subscribers whose parents get the movies on DVD, while their kids stream, so those people will either have to pay double now or someone’s getting the shaft.

And hey, for those of you who still gets a thrill out of getting into your car to go rent a movie, there’s still Redbox.

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  • Records 1138

    So run all the competition out of business, then jack up the price. Netflix reps fail to understand that their streaming content is all but useless. They don’t offer anything worth watching. Even films that have been out for twenty years are only available on DVD via their website. So, what do they expect? People aren’t going to pay them eight bucks a month for the opportunity of streaming crappy films!

  • http://twitter.com/Terminator2366 Bad Zack

    if you can pay for dvd’s at 7.99 what dif does it make to stream them

    • http://www.beyondhollywood.com/ Nix

      Say you want to watch every episode of a show. You can stream them one after another whereas you would have to wait for the DVDs.

  • Anonymous

    Yeah, expected this to happen once the Blockbuster closures went into the next phase. Really really sucks because I was using the service for TV shows mostly while primarily renting Blu-rays in their full 1080p, bonus-content glory.

  • http://twitter.com/TwistedCritic Chris

    Well I guess it’s a good deal for people who like watching lots of TV shows OR renting movies, but the people who like both are getting screwed big time.

  • Anonymous

    I currently have the netflix streaming and DVD package for 9.99 a month, and when movies either first come out or for some reason are not available for instance certain Californication season 3&4 I have to have sent to my house because it is not available for streaming are now out of the question and I have to wait for at least six months to a year or until the show is canceled to be able to stream it. This is obviously the old “the first taste is free” sentiment most drug dealers use before charging up the yen for their product. Come September more than likely stream only it will be since my daughter loves to watch her Dora and Spongebob.

  • Anonymous

    I think its completely reasonable. They “Jacked up their prices” by VERY little and if you can’t find something to watch on the stream, then you shouldn’t have it. I find tons of things to watch on the stream and there are very good indie films and straight to dvd films put on the stream all the time. I can make a list of things to watch if you need it. (Not being a smart ass, I really can make a list for you) I watch at least 2 things from the stream every day and also have the 2 movies coming in the mail and their price hike still seems worth it. I guess it depends on what you want. I stopped watching tv in middle school, and caught up with everything worth watching later as to avoid Over priced cable for stupid tv shows, reality tv, and what passes for News these days. If you have time to complain about how long it takes shows to come out, there is a fix. Pay 90 dollars a month for cable (+15 dollars per premium channel, or absorbent amounts for the premium bundle) and get the dvr option. I am fine with my 22 dollar option. Oh and don’t forget kids, you can always risk attack for IP infringement and just download what you want to see! People cry about every little thing these days.