Netflix Intros Streaming-Only Plan, Raises Prices on DVD Plans

Take a look at most new TVs, Blu-ray players and media servers and it should be abundantly clear that streaming is serious business for Netflix. But, the lack of a plan completely free from the red envelopes hasn't existed until today. For $7.99 a month, you can now stream as much as you want without a single disc ever showing up at your door. Unfortunately for those who still like physical media as well, the prices of their other plans will be going up. A one-at-a-time account is going from $8.99 to $9.99, while the classic three-at-a-time account jumps three bucks to $19.99. Oh, and you'll still have to pitch in an extra couple bucks a month if you want the option of Blu-ray.

If you sign up today, you'll immediately be hit with the new prices, but current members will have until January to cope with the change. It will certainly be interesting to see how the userbase shifts in the Netflix universe. But, it stil seems that the fastest way to grow the streaming service would be to add content that people really genuinely want to watch. DVD and Blu-ray subscribers are now effectively paying more money for a selection limited by studio deals that keep new releases away from your queue for 30 days after release. Add that to a recent Hulu+ price drop and it seems we have a bit of a bidding war on our hands.

Official Netflix Blog Announcement

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