Netflix may offer streaming-only plan by end of the year
Wed Feb 18, 2009 1:15PM EST
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Rather skip the DVDs and only pay for Netflix's streaming "Watch Now" videos? Well, that might be an option in the next year or so, according to Netflix CEO Reed Hastings.
That would presumable give Netflix time to shore up its catalog of 12,000-odd streaming video titles—not bad, but kinda puny compared to its library of 100,000-plus DVDs and Blu-ray discs.
Still, Hastings told Bloomberg he's well aware that streaming—not physical discs—is the future of video, and that "some point in the long term, the streaming will be good enough that an appreciable number of people will find streaming is all they need."
The Netflix CEO also revealed that he's pursuing streaming deals with the likes of HBO and Showtime, according to the Bloomberg story.
As it stands, you must be a Netflix by-mail subscriber to access the instant "Watch Now" movies, which you can view on PCs, Macs, various LG and Samsung Blu-ray players, and the Xbox 360.
The move makes a lot of sense—and indeed, I'm running into more and more people who do practically all their movie and TV watching over a Web browser.
So, here's the big question: How much would you be willing to pay? The cheapest by-mail Netflix plan that allows for streaming costs $8.99 a month, so I'm assuming a streaming-only plan would be cheaper. What do you think … $6.99 a month? $4.99? Fire away.
Related:
Netflix Chief Sees Streaming-Only Pricing by 2010 [Bloomberg]
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27 Posted by chrissims62 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:24PM EDT Report Abuse
I think the soon we will see first run movies on a pay per stream basis. as little as 1.99 per movie. which would actually give netflix more profit per title than they get now. If you take full advantage of the mail system for DVD's you can get them for as little as $1.20 per movie. Imagine not having to pick up, handle and mail back every movie you see. It will reduce the buisness to basicly paying for only the intellectual rights to view. No shipping, making DVD's or cataloging. A big part of the overhead will be gone. I am sure Netflix sees this.
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28 Posted by silverdraggin on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:23PM EDT Report Abuse
Netfilx is win and the future. Between Netflix and Gamefly I have no idea how Blockbuster and Hollywood Video stores are still open. Only a fool would pay late fees nowadays.
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29 Posted by makailahite on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:04PM EDT Report Abuse
I hate it when people make dumb mistakes (like buying a blue ray player) and then get mad when someone does something creative like this. This is the future, it rocks, Bring it on. If you don't won't it, don't get it.
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30 Posted by rgkramp on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:38PM EDT Report Abuse
Streaming to my Xbox 360 is great. The selection needs to grow, but otherwise the service is wonderful. DL is definitely the future and the reason that Bluray is failing as a medium. Films on disc will soon go the way of the CD.
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31 Posted by russell.ruggieri on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:56PM EDT Report Abuse
I recently purchased the ROKU box for $100 just to see what it had to offer. Pleasantly surprised on how easy it is to use and the multitude of output formats it supports including HDMI 1.3. I manage my "Instant Play List" via the Netflix site and the titles are in my browse list instantly for viewing. Netflix is poised to be the number one streaming media provider for "A" titles, Indies and documentaries. 10 bucks a month would be very resonable. Russell/LA
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32 Posted by summerfunx2 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:47PM EDT Report Abuse
Netflix streaming through a laptop to a TV works great. In reality, the laptop could replace your TV... not a bad idea for watching movies in bed or away from home or away from the family that doesn't like to watch a horror movie. --- At $5.99 a month, then Netflix could take business from cable companies without a lot of expense (servers & support only... no mailing expense). Just add more movies to Instant Viewing.
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33 Posted by brewsterlewster on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:13PM EDT Report Abuse
Blue Ray and DVDs are soon to be dead. If you cannot see the writing on the wall, you are sadly lacking in faculties. My ROKU box had growing pains but now with the latest firmware it is a godsend to stream my Netflix for $8.99 a month, especially in this economy. I would be VERY happy to continue paying this price. It should go down a bit due to saving postage, but then again with more titles they will have to pay more royalties so I hope it just stays the same.
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34 Posted by ginaraemote on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:09PM EDT Report Abuse
All's you need is a ROKU ($100.00)to hook up to your TV. We have a wireless router so we can move it around the house. It's too cool, we have movies on demand my little one watches over and over. We have the $8.99 per month subscription. I think it is well worth it and very convenient- just delete the movie when your done.
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35 Posted by marcienbrian on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:06PM EDT Report Abuse
I would pay the 8.99 if they included all their movies,way to many b movies on their now. We would need good new releases also.
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36 Posted by missnicolec on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:22PM EDT Report Abuse
If you just bought a blueray player you're an idiot, because everyone could see this coming LONG ago. Streaming is the way people are wanting to do things now. Hopefully Netflix doesn't try to rip anyone off though.
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37 Posted by tygerland on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:25PM EDT Report Abuse
As a current Netflix customer, I don't agree with a "streaming only" approach. I love the ability to stream movies to my Xbox 360, but will they be able to deliver new movies day & date with its DVD/Blu-Ray counterpart? In my opinion they should leave it the way it is, at least until they are able to offer movies on street dates.
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38 Posted by tonyend2001 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:16PM EDT Report Abuse
I stream Netflix using my TivoHD and it's great! The only downside so far is the relatively small selection compared to dvd. I have the $8.99 plan, but would forgo getting any DVD's if I could stream them all.
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39 Posted by poohba86 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:16PM EDT Report Abuse
i've streamed a few things on my x-box but the video quality was pretty horrible and the selection was even worse. if they can get all the new releases availabe to stream as soon as they are released and get it availabe in HD quality though it's something that i can see myself doing all the time. there's a long way to go before this replaces physical DVD's. but yea, that fancy BR player was a waste of your money.
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40 Posted by zytkiewicz on Thu Sep 3, 2009 11:02PM EDT Report Abuse
I love Netflix and I stream all the time. But I would not choose streaming only unless they significantly increased the number of titles available to stream. I currently pay about $18 a month for Netflix, I would continue to pay that much if I had access to ALL the movies.
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26 Posted by tjblack7 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:12PM EDT Report Abuse
I would use mine ALOT more if the movie selection wasn't just B movies or oldies. None of the first run top tier movies are streamable right now. So no I wouldn't pay for the same selection as streaming only option. In order for me to consider that, I would need top tier, first run movies in Blue Ray hi-def quality. Otherwise I'll keep renting Blue-Rays from netflix and buying DVD's. I don't buy Blue-Ray movies because most of the time they cost 2 to 3 times as much as the dvd versions and aren't worth it for the small visual upgrades.