Netflix to Offer New Unlimited DVD Plans
Leading Internet subscription service for movies and TV shows Netflix is launching new unlimited DVD-only plans in the U.S. at $7.99 a month for the 1 DVD out at-a-time plan and $11.99 a month for the 2 DVDs out at-a-time plan.
New members can sign up for these plans by going to DVD.netflix.com.
The company is separating its unlimited streaming and unlimited DVD plans in the U.S. to better reflect the costs of each and to give members a choice: a streaming-only plan, a DVD-only plan or the option to subscribe to both.
[ Also Read: Blockbuster Movies for 99 Cents per Day ]With this change, Netflix will no longer be offering unlimited plans that include both streaming and DVDs by mail. The unlimited streaming plan will remain at $7.99 a month. The price for getting both unlimited streaming and unlimited DVDs will be $15.98 a month ($7.99 + $7.99).
For new Netflix members, the changes will be effective immediately. For existing members, the new pricing will start for charges on or after September 1.
[ Also Read: Glee with Sons of Anarchy on Netflix ]Strengthening its presence in the home entertainment market, Netflix is taking other steps too. The company says streaming from Netflix on TVs will be as easy as one click of a remote control.
Leading consumer electronics companies have joined in a development effort to place Netflix-branded one-click buttons on remotes that operate Internet connected TVs, Blu-ray disc players and other devices that connect the Internet to the TV. (Read: Netflix Streaming with One-Click Remotes)
For giving more entertainment options to consumers, Netflix and multi-faceted company FilmDistrict signed a multi-year agreement through which first-run, theatrically-released films distributed by FilmDistrict will be licensed to Netflix. (Read: Netflix Offers More Options to Film Lovers)
Moreover, close on the heels of its rival Hulu’s Internet video subscription service offer, Netflix introduced a similar $7.99 streaming-only subscription plan in the United States.
[ Also Read: Netflix Allows Miramax Movies to Go Digital ]“Netflix members love watching instantly, but we’ve come to recognize there is still a very large continuing demand for DVDs by mail,” said Andy Rendich, Netflix chief service and operations officer.
“By better reflecting the underlying costs and offering our lowest prices ever for unlimited DVD, we hope to provide a great value to our current and future DVD-by-mail members.”
The announcement was made Tuesday, July 12.
Netflix introduced streaming to its popular DVD-by-mail business in 2007. Since then, it says, membership has climbed from 6 million to 23 million in the U.S. as people want to watch movies and TV shows instantly on consumer electronics devices capable of streaming content from Netflix to members’ TVs.
