Netflix to charge extra for Blu-ray rentals
Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:59AM EDT
See Comments (23)
Get ready to pay a "modest monthly premium" if you want to rent Blu-ray movies from the by-mail DVD giant.
Speaking during a conference call with analysts, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said the extra charges are coming because "purchasing Blu-ray DVDs costs more, both at retail and wholesale, than standard definition DVDs" and that "consumers are used to paying more for high-definition content," according to Crave.
So, let's see if I've got this straight...HD viewers are used to getting gouged, so we'll just gouge 'em some more? Great.
Up until now, renting HD DVDs and Blu-ray movies on Netflix was a simple matter of selecting a radio button in your account preferences; monthly subscriptions fees remained the same, regardless of whether you were renting HD movies or not.
Hastings didn't say how much the "modest monthly premium" would be, or when it would go into effect.
But as someone who just enabled Blu-ray movies on his account (and who, as it turns out, doesn't have all that many Blu-ray movies in his queue), I'm pretty annoyed to learn that I'm about to be taxed for my Blu proclivities.
Then again, Netflix could have simply raised prices for everyone to cover the added cost of Blu-ray movies—a move that wouldn't have been too popular (or fair, for that matter) for those who are just renting standard DVDs. And yes, Blu-ray discs are significantly pricier than DVDs—about $35 at retail, compared to about $20 for your typical DVD movie.
So, here's the big question: How much will the Blu-ray premium be? Hopefully, we're just talking two or three bucks a month—personally, I wouldn't be thrilled, but I could live with it. But if the fee starts creeping into the $5-$10/month range, well, expect Blu-ray-viewing Netflixers to start jumping to Blockbuster—and hey, I might be one of them.
What do you think? How much of a Blu-ray premium is too much? Would you defect to Blockbuster if the Blu-ray fees are too high? And for those of you who are just renting standard DVDs, does it sound like a fair policy?
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Comments on Netflix to charge extra for Blu-ray rentals
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2 Posted by callenf on Tue Apr 22, 2008 11:31AM EDT Report Abuse
If they raise the price on Blu-ray rentals then I will cancel my account. Period. If everyone did this then they would have no other choice than to keep the prices where they are now.
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3 Posted by bigdavecc44 on Tue Apr 22, 2008 11:34AM EDT Report Abuse
If no one paid the extra fee to rent Blu-ray movies than they wouldn't be able to charge a fee at all. Sure, you might have to go a whole year of not renting Blu-ray movies, but who cares? It's the same principle behind movie theater snacks and sport stadium concessions. If no one paid the money, they wouldn't be able to charge ridiculous prices. Of course, it will never work, because their are too many people that are stupid with their money and will continue to pay the high prices.
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4 Posted by jlarz20 on Tue Apr 22, 2008 11:43AM EDT Report Abuse
$5 is pushing it, considering there still are not a ton of BlueRay movies, at least ones I like...
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5 Posted by damienanderson228 on Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:38PM EDT Report Abuse
wow!! this sux, but i knew it wouldn't be long. "the man" strikes again.
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1 Posted by matt_archbold2002 on Tue Apr 22, 2008 11:18AM EDT Report Abuse
I'd say my max would be about 5.00 more per month for Blu. I dont see myself paying more than 5.00 extra per month for bluray movies. If it were to be more than that, i'd probably go somewhere else.