We talked about the big change to Netflix’s pricing structure back in mid-July, and it’s finally time for those changes to take place. Instead of offering unlimited streaming with any DVD plan, the company will offer streaming as a separate plan, effective September 1, 2011.
What does this mean for you? There are three scenarios, depending on how you want to respond to the change.
- If you want to continue getting both unlimited streaming and DVD service, you don’t need to do anything. The first charge after September 1, 2011 automatically updates your account to the two new plans. For example, if you get one DVD out at a time, the price automatically changes from $9.99 for the old plan to $15.98 ($7.99 + $7.99) for the two new plans. Again, this happens automatically.
- If you want to drop DVDs or drop unlimited streaming, follow this link and make the changes to your account. Remember to scroll down to the bottom of the page and click Continue, then Confirm Change in the popup message to complete your changes.
- If you want to drop Netflix altogether (perhaps to switch to Blockbuster’s hilarious alternative), follow this link to complete the cancellation.
Remember, if you are dropping one or both services, you must complete the change today to keep from being charged the new combined price. Netflix has chosen to opt everyone into the higher price rather than opting everyone out of it, which is a bit baffling. A smarter option might have been to move everyone to DVD only with an easy one-click change on the first attempt to stream content. Perhaps that could have tempered the second wave of backlash that is almost certainly coming when subscribers get their September bills.
If you’re considering switching to streaming only, Techcitement‘s got you covered. In the past month we reviewed Google TV and Veebeam, and we took a brief look at changes to Apple TV. Later this week, we’ll take a look at the new Roku 2. All of these options include integration with Netflix streaming. Nintendo Wii, Xbox, Sony PS3, and many newer televisions, Blu-ray, and DVD players include streaming capabilities as well.
Netflix’s new pricing structure is here to stay. We at Techcitement hope you’ll use the information we’ve provided to make informed choices about your entertainment options.
I should think that the last day to cancel is not today but the last day of your current billing cycle. Did you miss that point?
You have a point. Today is the last day Netflix is charging under the old pricing structure,but subscribers can presumably make the change until right before their account is billed.
I just hate to see people charged more because they don’t know their individual deadline.