Netflix profits surge, so what do they announce? Higher prices for to rent Blu-Ray discs.

Netflix’s profits are up 36%, so what do they announce? Higher prices for subscribers who want Blu-Ray discs.

I’ve been a fan of Netflix for a long time. And I’ve put my money where my mouth is–I’ve been a subscriber since 2001. But Netflix is now trying hard to get me to dislike them.

First, Netflix prematurely quit carrying HD-DVD discs in February. I believe this announcement greatly sped up the downfall of HD-DVD. There were a lot of people like me that purchased an inexpensive HD-DVD players, safe in the knowledge that while it didn’t make sense to buy many HD-DVD discs (there was a format war underway after all), there would always be Netflix renting HD-DVDs. Wrong. Netflix ditched HD-DVD, and a couple days later HD-DVD was dead. Some complained that the only way this made sense was if Netflix had been bought off by Sony.

When Netflix killed HD-DVD some people argued that HD-DVD was a cheaper format and deserved to survive. Looking back, that was a good argument because Netflix has now discovered that Blu-Ray discs are expensive and wants to charge us Blu-Ray subscribers more for the privilege of renting Blu-Ray discs.

I wouldn’t necessarily have a problem with Netflix charging more for high definition discs, if it had done this when HD-DVD and Blu-Ray discs came out. It would have been sense at the time. But you have to wonder if Netflix dumped the cheaper HD-DVD to help make the case that it needs to increase subscription prices for those of us who want to rent Blu-Ray discs.

If this ticks you off, you can let Netflix know at
http://www.netflix.com/ContactUs, or you can call customer support at 800-279-5688.