Netflix Rate Hike Spurs Outrage
If you have a facebook account, no doubt you have seen people venting their animosity about Netflix increasing their prices. Many threaten to cancel the service and some will likely follow through with the threat. The Netflix Facebook page has about 1.5 million fans out of 23.5 million subscribers in North America, and showed somewhere around 30,000 comments letting the DVD giant know how angry they were with the decision.
Many people have looked forward to receiving the red envelope in the mail at the end of the week to watch their pick of movies. It is a way to keep up with the cinematic world and not break the bank in the process. Something that has had a great deal of appeal to people who are continually facing financial difficulties that have not been seen in the U.S. and Canada since the 1920’s. Now it would seem that one of their entertainment bastions has been compromised and it has been a wild ride.
Instead of thinking of red as an exciting color, they now see red when it comes to the rental giant. Netflix profits have been rising since the decision in 2007 to include streaming options plus one DVD rental per month for $10. Now, after the announcement that the same service would cost 60% more, $16, people are seeing red and calling for action.
Steve Swasey, vice president of corporate communications for Netflix said the timing of the price change was “appropriate”. “$6 more is a remarkable value, a latte or two every month. For most folks it’s absorbable,” being sure to add that Netflix is “sympathetic to those in terrible financial straits.”
He continued, “We anticipated some folks were not going be happy with the change. It didn’t surprise us… 30,000 or so is a sub set of 23 million subscribers. They’re not speaking for the majority. But, their opinion is important and we value them.”
well whats your opinion on the netflix price increase for the dvd and streaming service? honestly we dont really care at all because when you think about it, the more you pay for netflix the more shows they can get us and in the end members will be happy again. but what do i know?