It’s a wonderful time for having media at your fingertips whenever you want. If you want to watch a movie or a TV show then all you have to do is log into Hulu or Netflix, and the best part is the price. The only let down is that on Hulu Plus you still have to watch 30 second ads every 10 minutes. Well, it looks like both the price and the ads are going to change.
Netflix
Netflix will have a slight price increase, as reported by The Guardian, over the next 10 years. Right now there are three price tiers depending on how many screens you watch it on, $7.99, $8.99 and $11.99. These prices are for streaming only but if you also want to have a disc out then you’re tacking on another $12-$20. As of right now the price increase looks to be only affecting the streaming side and it’s only because they are going to be adding more content. With the success of most of their original shows the price may increase to bring more as well as get more contracts with movie companies. Currently Netflix has a deal with studios that it will wait 30 days after the DVD/Blu-ray release of a movie before it streams on Netflix. I don’t believe these rules apply to movies that are directly on video on demand. There is no definite rate that they are looking to hit, but I’m sure we’ll all be emailed as it happens.
Hulu Plus
Love it or hate it, Hulu Plus makes you watch ads but it’s the only place you can watch every episode of Seinfeld. Currently the price point for $7.99 but coming this fall this price point may increase. As reported by the WSJ, the no ad subscription may run you between $12-$14. Now, before you turn your nose up at this price let’s compare. You look at Netflix as a great thing for having both movies and television seasons, but Hulu gives you most network shows the next day. For $8 a month you get to enjoy most shows and a couple of ads, that take you out of the experience if depending on what you’re watching. Now if you put those two together, then it would be great. You’d be able to watch your favorite shows the next day commercial free and it would only cost a few dollars more. To me this is something I’d pay for, I hate watching commercials while I’m watching a show. This could also help persuade CBS to let them air their shows on Hulu Plus. I don’t watch much CBS, but if I had a chance to check some shows out with no commercials I’d be all for it.
Right now no price is definite and things may fall through or change.