Netflix users beware: New prices hit this week

August 30, 2011 By Molly McHugh

Get ready to be angry all over again, Netflix subscribers. That price hike goes into effect this Thursday.

When Netflix announced a price hike earlier this summer, it nearly ignited a user revolt. Renting both DVDs and using Netflix streaming meant subscribers would be forced to pay more, and try as it might, Netflix failed to sell this as an improvement. The company has kept its claim over the living room, but its stock performance felt some hurt as a result of the price changes.

And now it’s decision time. This Thursday , September 1, the higher prices will officially hit Netflix subscribers. Just as a quick reminder, users were previously able to rent one DVD at a time as well as stream unlimited content for $10 a month. This plan will be wiped out beginning Thursday, replaced by a $7.99 a month for unlimited streaming plan and a separate respective $7.99 a month for one DVD at a time plan. Both services will cost $15.98 a month, a nearly $6 hike.

If you subscribed to the hybrid plan, Netflix will automatically switch you over to the $15.98 a month plan. Not the case? Then you need to head over to the site and switch your subscription over.

How many users Netflix will lose between now and Thursday remains to be seen. Given consumers initial response to the price change, it could be more than a few. No matter how much business sense the decision makes, users don’t have to like it.

Showing 17 comments

Adam Krant at 5:12am 31st August 2011 like the instant streaming DVDs are to expensive
Michele Bohmke at 2:21am 31st August 2011 Went back to streaming, Netflix is okay for that. I dropped the DVD plan like a bad habit. Sorry Netflix.
jb at 5:20pm 30th August 2011 It's obvious that they are trying to eliminate DVD rentals, and it makes sense. Streaming is more convenient, and from the business point of view, it is a smart move,
1. Ian Bell at 5:38pm 30th August 2011 Uhhh, streaming will not replace Blu-ray quality.
Lequang242 at 4:05pm 30th August 2011 Canceling my account on the eve of 31st!
James Miller at 9:02pm 30th August 2011 Kept streaming and cancelled the disc. Only rented 6 physical discs this year so it wasn't feasible to keep. I watch streaming a lot though. Worth the $8 on this end.
Keoki Holguin at 8:35pm 30th August 2011 glad I cancelled mine. Not taking any crap from The Man
Joshua R Williams at 8:03pm 30th August 2011 It's not about the nominal amount...$6 is huge, percentage-wise. Thanks, DT, for the heads up!
Jason Gehrman at 7:36pm 30th August 2011 I already cancelled my account when the announcement was made and I went back to Blockbuster. Plus I don't have to wait 30 days anymore for the new stuff.
Matty Thornley at 7:34pm 30th August 2011 Omfg this is 6 DOLLARS! Is that really a huge deal? I'm tired of hearing about complaints because you have to pay six extra dollars a month. Why don't you just not go to McDonalds for a day.
Denise Ridinger Reis at 7:21pm 30th August 2011 That's why I cancelled my account. Goodbye Netflix!
Roberto Rob Knives Nieves at 7:19pm 30th August 2011 NEIN!
Joshua Vanwormer at 7:13pm 30th August 2011 their price hike is ridiculous, especially when they keep removing movies from instant.
Joshua Vanwormer at 7:12pm 30th August 2011 let the complaint calls fly :)
Joshua Mestre at 7:10pm 30th August 2011 Dislike.
Erica Kramer at 7:09pm 30th August 2011 Already changed my subscription to DVD only. I really don't appreciate bot being grandfathered in under the original terms. What a blow.
Jacque Tyu at 7:07pm 30th August 2011 :(