The last time the streaming video company substantially changed its pricing plan was in 2011, when it separated streaming and physical DVD mailings, creating a huge price increase for customers that wanted both services. The company also created a new brand, Qwikster, for the physical mailing piece of the business.
The customer backlash was immediate and dramatic, and an estimated 1 million people dropped their subscriptions altogether. Netflix issued a public apology, dropping the new brand name (but not the pricing plan.) A price increase in 2014 followed.
This time, not only was the price increase moderate ($1 for streaming customers using the Standard Plan, which allows HD viewing on two devices at a time), but it doesn't hit immediately for current subscribers. New customers will pay the higher rate, but existing plan holders will have a grace period of up to a year before the new price hits.
Streaming video customers now have three plans to choose from: Basic, at about $8/month, which allows normal definition viewing on one screen at a time; Standard, at $10/month, which allows HD viewing on two screens; and Premium, at $12, which allows Ultra HD when it's available on four screens at a time. (If you have trouble seeing the plans link, log out of Netflix first.)
