Slashdot Mirror
Netflix is Testing a New 'Ultra' Tier of Service (cnet.com)
Netflix may be introducing a new, higher tier of service. From a report: Known as Ultra, the new tier would allow four devices to receive Ultra HD video and audio streaming simultaneously, according to Italian blog Tutto Android. Netflix currently has three subscription plans: $7.99 Basic, $10.99 Standard and $13.99 Premium. Basic allows users to watch Netflix on one screen at a time; Standard allows viewing on two screens; and Premium allows four screens. Screens can be TVs, laptops, tablets or smartphones. "We continuously test new things at Netflix and these tests typically vary in length of time," Smita Saran, a Netflix spokeswoman, said in an email. "In this case, we are testing slightly different price points and features to better understand how consumers value Netflix."
I'm a $0 tier member myself, so I guess I can't dispute your claim, but what nonsense is this? I have and still think of Netflix as the least-bad streaming option. i.e.: a single fee covers everything, no rentals, no paying extra to be add-free or to gain access to all of the episodes of a show. Netflix does track you, which is bad, but way less than Amazon or the conglomerates that Hulu represents, which is less-bad. And their own programming is consistently critically acclaimed.
So, what's the deal? There's room for improvement of course, but what's so bad about Netflix?
All you said is true, but they're problems for the *business* owner, not the consumer. At the end of it, I want my £7.99 to give me access to the things I want to see. At the beginning of subscription, it pretty much did. These days, unless I'm interested in Netflix originals, it pretty much doesn't. Now as it happens I *am* interested in a couple of Netflix originals - Stranger Things, A Series Of Unfortunate Events. So I keep subscribing right now. It's getting more tenuous to justify though.