Dear Netflix

I have to chime in on the trending topic, though I don't have time to do it eloquently as I have to be at work and then roller derby, so I won't be home for the next 14 hours...

Dear Netflix Users Who Are Complaining,

Netflix didn't pull a bait and switch on you. If you really believe that, then know that the movie studios pulled a bait and switch on Netflix. Netflix contracts for rights to rent content run out this year and the studios, who thought Netflix was a wild idea when they signed those contracts, have decided that Netflix is a great idea-- and they wish they owned it.

So Netflix is being charged exorbitant rates for content they had the rights to, content you're used to seeing, content their business revolves around. They have to pass on the cost or it would destroy them. Meanwhile many of those studios are starting their own copycats (like Hulu, etc) and the ones who aren't, still know that the films have a higher value to Netflix now that they're established and need them. They're holding the entire company ransom for higher payout.

Here we are, complaining about $5 a month. If you actually use the 2-disc plan actively, then you're saving WAY more than that, still, by not renting from Blockbuster or BUYING DVDs. I've saved HUNDREDS by not buying DVDs, and thousands by not having cable. I stream Netflix, so I still save over $40 a month, not having TV.

And the truth is, this is NOT the same service that started off at $14.99 with streaming. There are more convenient ways to stream since I signed up (Ps3 to my TV!) and WAY WAY WAY more movies and TV shows. The insta-queue used to have a lot of indies and maybe one out of every 6 big releases. Now the majority of movies you can think of are instant or will be 6 months after DVD release.

Get over it. Prices go up everywhere. This is not their fault or their nefarious plan. Netflix is a business and cannot operate in the red.