NetFlix "streaming-only" plan

[jeffshoaf]

Got an email today from Netflix - the good news (for some) is they are now offering a streaming-only plan for $7.99 a month.

The bad news is that my 1 BluRay disc at a time plan went up $1.

[sigma1914]

It goes up in January.

[Stewart Vernon]

Looks like it finally was made official. I had posted in another thread a few weeks ago that I was seeing different pricing on Netflix, sometimes seeing the $7.99 plan.

It sounds like new customers can get that plan today... but existing customers have to wait until January to get the streaming-only plan.

I'm considering that plan as I have no need for DVD rentals via mail.

[sigma1914]

Price list:


http://www.dslreports.com/r0/download/1601060~2b5b61260440bc67d2e45054d9b3f70e/netflix$.jpg

[IndyMichael]

Looks like it finally was made

It sounds like new customers can get that plan today... but existing customers have to wait until January to get the streaming-only plan.

mail.
Your current plan is no longer offered, a new plan will take effect 11/29/2010

That's what I got when I switched to streaming only.

[Santana]

Got an email today from Netflix - the good news (for some) is they are now offering a streaming-only plan for $7.99 a month.

The bad news is that my 1 BluRay disc at a time plan went up $1.

Yes, good news for some. Personally, I am not too happy with the direction Netflix is heading. They are moving more and more to a streaming content service. The downside for those of us who subscribe to the BluRay plan and prefer watching HD content is that they are buying fewer and fewer physical discs, and we are waiting longer and longer to watch new releases. There is still a relatively small selection of video even available for HD streaming (still not BluRay quality) and unfortunately for me, I do not even live in an area where I can get fast enough internet to watch HD streaming content. When they finally upgrade my area and I can get a faster connection, and when Netflix actually carries a decent HD selection, maybe I would be more interested in their streaming service. That probably is still a few years away.

[shaun-ohio]

i am a current customer, and i had no trouble switching to the 7.99 plan with streaming only

[mkdtv21]

I am a current Netflix customer and when I tried to change to the 7.99 streaming only plan it said "error unable to change plan"

I guess only certain current customers can immediately change to the plan.

[Stewart Vernon]

I am a current Netflix customer and when I tried to change to the 7.99 streaming only plan it said "error unable to change plan"

I guess only certain current customers can immediately change to the plan.

Do you have a DVD in your home? I'm wondering if they won't let you switch off the rental plan IF you have one.

[IndyMichael]

Do you have a DVD in your home? I'm wondering if they won't let you switch off the rental plan IF you have one.

I have one to send back and it let me switch.

[Davenlr]

I just got a notice my 1 disc at a time plan was going up $1 as well, to $10 a month. Still worth it to me, since streaming is included.

[P Smith]

Looks like it finally was made official. I had posted in another thread a few weeks ago that I was seeing different pricing on Netflix, sometimes seeing the $7.99 plan.

It sounds like new customers can get that plan today... but existing customers have to wait until January to get the streaming-only plan.

I'm considering that plan as I have no need for DVD rentals via mail.

Totally correct and supported by email to me as Netflix's customer:


Dear xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx,

We want to let you know about two important changes to the Netflix service.

1. The price of your current plan is changing from $8.99 a month to $9.99 a month. This new price will be effective with your next billing statement on or after January 2, 2011, and will be referenced in your Membership Details. With your current plan you can both instantly watch unlimited TV episodes and movies on your computer or TV and receive unlimited DVDs by mail.

2. We now also offer a new $7.99 a month plan which lets you instantly watch unlimited TV episodes and movies on your computer or TV. This plan does not include any DVDs. All the titles you can watch instantly on your current plan are also available on this new plan, and as a reminder, not all titles on DVD are available to watch instantly. This new plan is available immediately – if you'd like to switch to this new plan at any time, simply visit Your Account.

Why the changes? Our selection of TV episodes and movies available to stream has grown dramatically, and as a result most members want us to deliver unlimited movies and TV episodes two ways: streaming instantly over the internet plus DVDs by mail. The price change will allow us to continue to offer the popular plan choice of unlimited TV episodes and movies streaming instantly along with unlimited DVDs. The new plan, which does not include DVDs, is a great option for the increasing number of members who only want to watch instantly. The $7.99 a month price reflects no DVD shipping costs on this plan.

We hope you're enjoying great TV shows and movies from Netflix, and that you'll continue to enjoy Netflix on whichever plan you choose. We realize you have lots of home entertainment options, and we thank you for your business. As always, if you have any questions, please call us at 1-800-715-2146.

–The Netflix Team

[Hutchinshouse]

I’ll jump onboard “streaming-only” when Netflix delivers DD5.1 to Apple TV.

[Chris Blount]

Just not enough content for streaming only. I still need Blu-Ray access. Besides, the quality on Blu-Ray is miles ahead.

[redfiver]

Just not enough content for streaming only. I still need Blu-Ray access. Besides, the quality on Blu-Ray is miles ahead.

They are streaming 1080p with DD5.1 to PS3 devices. Not a lot of titles, but some. And, the streaming content is still growing.

[P Smith]

So, we could calmly wait for a year or two, when the PS3 monopoly will be ceased and more BD titles will be available.

[mkdtv21]

Do you have a DVD in your home? I'm wondering if they won't let you switch off the rental plan IF you have one.

I just got an email from Netflix saying that my streaming only plan will automatically be changed to the new streaming only plan this January.

[LarryFlowers]

Yes, good news for some. Personally, I am not too happy with the direction Netflix is heading. They are moving more and more to a streaming content service. The downside for those of us who subscribe to the BluRay plan and prefer watching HD content is that they are buying fewer and fewer physical discs, and we are waiting longer and longer to watch new releases. There is still a relatively small selection of video even available for HD streaming (still not BluRay quality) and unfortunately for me, I do not even live in an area where I can get fast enough internet to watch HD streaming content. When they finally upgrade my area and I can get a faster connection, and when Netflix actually carries a decent HD selection, maybe I would be more interested in their streaming service. That probably is still a few years away.

Do you have some source that Netflix is cutting back on Blu Ray purchases? I have ZERO trouble getting BluRay discs and rarely have to wait for a title. In fact it has never been better.

[SayWhat?]

When you stream, is it live-watch-it-now only, or can you save for later? What about PVR-ish type functions --- pause, rewind, slo-mo, etc?

[sdirv]

When you stream, is it live-watch-it-now only, or can you save for later? What about PVR-ish type functions --- pause, rewind, slo-mo, etc?

It is live, watch it now.......no value in "saving to watch it later", since if you want to watch it later...it's there. You can watch 1/2 a program, turn it off and when you come back later (even to a different device) it will ask if you want to start over or resume.

Yes...you can pause, rewind, fast forward, don't know about slo-mo...haven't seen that.

[P Smith]

I just got an email from Netflix saying that my streaming only plan will automatically be changed to the new streaming only plan this January.
Why not post it here if it different from post#12 ?

[jeffshoaf]

When you stream, is it live-watch-it-now only, or can you save for later? What about PVR-ish type functions --- pause, rewind, slo-mo, etc?

With my Roku, rewinding and fast-forwarding are a bit frustrating - you get a display of a series of still frames (which I like) so you can see where you're at, but when you switch back to normal speed it has to re-buffer. It's not worth backing up or going fast-forwarding unless you're going to go a pretty good ways. The newer models may have a larger buffer, but the buffer in mine is very small.

Pause works well, but no slo-mo that I know of.

[Glen_D]

With my Roku, rewinding and fast-forwarding are a bit frustrating - you get a display of a series of still frames (which I like) so you can see where you're at, but when you switch back to normal speed it has to re-buffer. It's not worth backing up or going fast-forwarding unless you're going to go a pretty good ways. The newer models may have a larger buffer, but the buffer in mine is very small.

Pause works well, but no slo-mo that I know of.

That's pretty much the way it was with my BD player when I subscribed to Netflix. The limited buffer on these devices make those DVR-type features essentially useless, IMO.

[P Smith]

Same on Wii.

[Stewart Vernon]

I just got an email from Netflix saying that my streaming only plan will automatically be changed to the new streaming only plan this January.

My father was able to change to the new streaming only plan... and he got a message that he needed to return the DVD he currently had within (I think) a week or be billed... and when they got it back, they emailed again to confirm receipt.

So it looks like it was fine to switchover even while having a DVD at home as long as you send it back quickly.

[Santana]

Do you have some source that Netflix is cutting back on Blu Ray purchases? I have ZERO trouble getting BluRay discs and rarely have to wait for a title. In fact it has never been better.

You've got me there; I have no direct evidence they are buying fewer copies. But I do have 7 movies sitting at the top of my queue that are all on long (or very long) waits, including Iron Man 2 released two months ago. Of course, Iron Man 2 is not available for streaming, so this could just be a result of normal throttling practices. In any case, they are not buying enough copies if I am still waiting for a movie two months after its release.

[sigma1914]

You've got me there; I have no direct evidence they are buying fewer copies. But I do have 7 movies sitting at the top of my queue that are all on long (or very long) waits, including Iron Man 2 released two months ago. Of course, Iron Man 2 is not available for streaming, so this could just be a result of normal throttling practices. In any case, they are not buying enough copies if I am still waiting for a movie two months after its release.

Maybe your distribution center sucks. I never have waits here near Dallas & get discs on Wednesday if I send them the preceding Monday. I even get new releases on Tuesday if I send 1 back on the preceding Friday or Saturday.

[wipeout]

I prefer Blu Ray and the wait time for new releases on this format are unexceptable to me. This long wait and very long wait issue stinks and they are going to charge me $1/mth more for it. I do not want to see streaming replace physical media.