Get that Blu-ray fix via Netflix? Don't get too comfy; they are about to jack up the price... again.
For a long time, there was no premium for viewing your movies in HD, but in 2008 Netflix tacked on a $1/month surcharge for Blu-ray rentals. That was respectable. However, those days will soon be gone. Netflix says that starting April 27, they will raise subscription prices an additional 20 percent for Blu-ray renters.
Reuters says that 10 percent of Netflix's 10 million subscribers are currently renting the 1,300 high-def titles in stock. Still, we have to wonder if the new pricing structure will drive people to their local Blockbuster or to Blockbuster's own rent-by-mail service. Blockbuster has the added convenience of offering in-store drop-off and pick-up of your movies, in addition to the rent-by-mail service.
And for the value-conscious occasional renter, there's always Redbox, who recently announced it would add Blu-ray titles in select locations at the same pricing as DVDs - as low as $1 per night. Of course, Netflix has an ace in the hole, and that's unlimited instant movie streaming (from a smaller selection of titles). Netflix' "Watch Instantly" feature is currently free on any of their unlimited plans. But how soon will it be before this also becomes a "premium service?"
You can check out the service with a free 2-week Netflix trial and decide for yourself whether it's worth the scratch.
Meanwhile, here is a peek at the new pricing structure:
1 DVD out at-a-time (2 DVDs a month)
Monthly plan cost: $4.99
Additional monthly charge for Blu-ray access on this plan: $1
Free trials of Netflix or Blockbuster:
Netflix Unlimited Streaming Starting at $7.99/Month - Try a month for free!
