Octopus Overlords

Posted: **Thu Feb 09, 2023 12:17 am**

Rumpy wrote: ↑Wed Feb 08, 2023 10:05 pm Yeah, heard that on the radio today. It sounds reasonable when you hear about the additional slots already being part of the package.

What you mean by that? People that pay for premium can have two members outside the household without paying extra or premium can pay extra for members outside the household up to two?

Is it 20.99 + 7.99 + 7.99 for premium with two members who don't live in their household?

Or 20.99 for premium with two members who don't live in their household?

Posted: **Thu Feb 09, 2023 12:38 am**

The way I read it was that while no outside slots came with the basic plan, the other plans did at no extra cost, but could add more if they wanted to for an extra fee. That seems like the way to go to me.

Posted: **Thu Feb 09, 2023 12:47 am**

Yeah, on the Canadian $16.99 plan or whatever, you can pay $7.99 for one additional household max. And only one person at the secondary address can stream at one time I believe. On the 4K $20+ plan, you can add up to two $7.99 slots, and two people at the secondary address(es) can stream simultaneously.

Posted: **Thu Feb 09, 2023 12:07 pm**

Rumpy wrote: ↑Thu Feb 09, 2023 12:38 am The way I read it was that while no outside slots came with the basic plan, the other plans did at no extra cost, but could add more if they wanted to for an extra fee. That seems like the way to go to me.

I read it that only the higher plans had the option of adding extra members. You'll still have to pay for it, though.

My Dad uses my login, so I'll probably end up paying to make sure he can continue to use it. Paying $25+ a month for Netflix is going to suck. The only way it makes sense is because I use Dad's cable login to get HBO and access to various other channels/apps. Mainly ESPN/FOX/NBC during football season.

There's no way in hell Netflix is worth that cost by itself though.

Posted: **Thu Feb 09, 2023 1:56 pm**

msteelers wrote: ↑Thu Feb 09, 2023 12:07 pm
Rumpy wrote: ↑Thu Feb 09, 2023 12:38 am The way I read it was that while no outside slots came with the basic plan, the other plans did at no extra cost, but could add more if they wanted to for an extra fee. That seems like the way to go to me.
I read it that only the higher plans had the option of adding extra members. You'll still have to pay for it, though.

My Dad uses my login, so I'll probably end up paying to make sure he can continue to use it. Paying $25+ a month for Netflix is going to suck. The only way it makes sense is because I use Dad's cable login to get HBO and access to various other channels/apps. Mainly ESPN/FOX/NBC during football season.

There's no way in hell Netflix is worth that cost by itself though.

Yeah, on second thought, it seems like the $7.99 was to unlock the extra slots, with standard unlocking one slot, and premium unlocking two. Or is it $7.99 for each individual slot? It's confusingly worded.

Posted: **Thu Feb 09, 2023 1:57 pm**

Rumpy wrote: ↑Thu Feb 09, 2023 1:56 pmYeah, on second thought, it seems like the $7.99 was to unlock the extra slots, with standard unlocking one slot, and premium unlocking two. Or is it $7.99 for each individual slot? It's confusingly worded.

It said "each" so I'm thinking it's $7.99 per slot.

Posted: **Thu Feb 09, 2023 2:35 pm**

Right, but it's also just as easy to think the 'each' was referring to the standard and premium plans themselves.

Posted: **Wed Oct 18, 2023 11:28 pm**

Netflix hikes prices again

The streaming giant said in its third-quarter earnings report that its premium ad-free plan in the United States will increase by $3 per month, to $22.99, starting Wednesday. Its one-stream basic plan will rise to $11.99 in the United States. All other plans, including its entry-level, $6.99-a-month ad-supported tier, will remain at the same monthly cost.

Netflix also announced price increases for some subscription tiers in the United Kingdom and France.

Posted: **Thu Oct 19, 2023 1:23 pm**

More on the price increase:

The "steady programming" and "variety and quality" Netflix cites as key to its success in its Q3 results are likely going to cost Netflix a good deal more in the coming year, which may have precipitated going ahead with a price hike before the year was out.

Netflix, along with other streaming services, will soon have to share performance metrics with writers as part of their new contracts with the Writers Guild of America, as well as increase residual payments to writers. While the outcome of the SAG-AFTRA actors' strike is unknown, Netflix CFO Spencer Adam Neumann said on an earnings call last quarter that the writers' and actors' strikes might add "lumpiness" to Netflix's cash flow in 2024.

Netflix is also facing cost pressure from competitors that both make content and now have their own streaming services. Companies like Max (or HBO, as most people still call it) license shows like Ballers and Six Feet Under to Netflix, generating both revenue and new audiences while still keeping a few marquee shows for their own offerings. Despite its numerous original offerings, Suits, a USA network show, is one of its biggest recent hits.

Posted: **Thu Oct 19, 2023 1:51 pm**

I still get way more value out of Netflix than I do out of cable, which I am also paying for, but 5-6x as much as the new Netflix costs.

Posted: **Thu Oct 19, 2023 2:28 pm**

I probably use Netflix less than Disney Plus, Hulu and Max, so this increase will probably get me to cancel. It's getting to the point where I can't justify keeping all of them. Especially if Netflix is the most expensive and least watched.

Posted: **Thu Oct 19, 2023 2:33 pm**

I'm the exact opposite. Netflix and Hulu (and Shudder to a lesser extent) make up about 80 percent of my viewing habit. I reduced Max recently to the ad sponsored level and it's been fine. Disney I watch maybe 3 or 4 hours a month at most...and only if there's a new Star Wars or Marvel show. But I get that bundled with my Hulu for less than 3 bucks a month.

Posted: **Thu Oct 19, 2023 2:34 pm**

My family watches it enough to justify continuing to pay for it, but it's still REALLY annoying. They're by far the most expensive streaming service I subscribe to and I seriously question whether their content is worth the premium price they slap on it. I mean I have Disney over here giving me new Star Wars and Marvel content, and on the other side I've got Netflix giving me another season of Love is Blind.

Posted: **Thu Oct 19, 2023 2:39 pm**

Scraper wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2023 2:28 pm I probably use Netflix less than Disney Plus, Hulu and Max, so this increase will probably get me to cancel. It's getting to the point where I can't justify keeping all of them. Especially if Netflix is the most expensive and least watched.

Yeah this will be enough to get me to cancel Netflix for now. We'll be back when they release something we want to watch but it's by far the least-watched service for us and I personally haven't watched anything since the most recent season of Stranger Things.

Posted: **Thu Oct 19, 2023 2:45 pm**

Exodor wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2023 2:39 pm
Scraper wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2023 2:28 pm I probably use Netflix less than Disney Plus, Hulu and Max, so this increase will probably get me to cancel. It's getting to the point where I can't justify keeping all of them. Especially if Netflix is the most expensive and least watched.
Yeah this will be enough to get me to cancel Netflix for now. We'll be back when they release something we want to watch but it's by far the least-watched service for us and I personally haven't watched anything since the most recent season of Stranger Things.

If you liked 24 or The Bodyguard (British), check out Night Agent before you go!

Posted: **Thu Oct 19, 2023 2:46 pm**

There really is so much good stuff on Neflix (and a lot of crap), but I'm constantly feeling overwhelmed with new content coming (on all the various subscription services) and I can't keep up. I even keep lists at my desk to try and remember and still get overwhelmed.

Posted: **Thu Oct 19, 2023 3:19 pm**

What I've come to appreciate about Netflix is their foreign tv and movie collection. I've discovered so many great shows that I normally would never have come across if it weren't for showing up on Netflix.

Posted: **Thu Oct 19, 2023 3:27 pm**

We have been culling back as of late. Max we subscribed through Hulu and 16 bucks a month is a bit much. For some reason it's been a month and Max still works even though I'm not paying for it. Methinks Hulu didn't pass on that I cancelled. I had a deal on my CC that if I spent 100 on Max I would get 25 back. I was going to do that, but as it's not cancelled I can't. Whatevers... 75 would be 6.25 a month which hells ya.

Posted: **Thu Oct 19, 2023 3:36 pm**

hepcat wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2023 3:19 pm What I've come to appreciate about Netflix is their foreign tv and movie collection. I've discovered so many great shows that I normally would never have come across if it weren't for showing up on Netflix.

It's great for language learning. There are plugins that'll pull in native subtitles from the native language and has me locked into the platform.

Posted: **Thu Oct 19, 2023 3:53 pm**

coopasonic wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2023 1:51 pm I still get way more value out of Netflix than I do out of cable, which I am also paying for, but 5-6x as much as the new Netflix costs.

Same here. Still the most convenient. And that could be because overall, Canada has less choice in the Streaming area.

hepcat wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2023 3:19 pm What I've come to appreciate about Netflix is their foreign tv and movie collection. I've discovered so many great shows that I normally would never have come across if it weren't for showing up on Netflix.

Absolutely. Netflix is a goldmine of foreign releases. And sometimes even they'll have good dubbing. Just a few weeks ago, we watched a really good Polish movie about a Doctor with amnesia who can't remember who he is, but keeps doing good deeds as a healer. We watched it in English and the dub they had was actually very good. I believe dubbing is something that is continually being improved upon.

Posted: **Thu Oct 19, 2023 4:08 pm**

malchior wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2023 3:36 pm
hepcat wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2023 3:19 pm What I've come to appreciate about Netflix is their foreign tv and movie collection. I've discovered so many great shows that I normally would never have come across if it weren't for showing up on Netflix.
It's great for language learning. There are plugins that'll pull in native subtitles from the native language and has me locked into the platform.

Ya the kiddo does this. I'm always freaking turning off subtitles everywhere.

Posted: **Thu Oct 19, 2023 4:14 pm**

I can't watch a foreign language show dubbed. I find it too distracting. I always go with subtitles.

Also, none of us here would have been exposed to the greatness of RRR without Netflix.

Posted: **Thu Oct 19, 2023 4:27 pm**

RRR was flipping amazing. I really need to track down more movies like that.

Posted: **Fri Oct 20, 2023 12:30 am**

hepcat wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2023 4:14 pm I can't watch a foreign language show dubbed. I find it too distracting. I always go with subtitles.

Also, none of us here would have been exposed to the greatness of RRR without Netflix.

For me it entirely depends on the production. Sometimes they speak so fast and the subtitles disappear before I'm able to read them. Some productions have some great dubs that are completely natural sounding and not distracting. Bad dubs all sound like they've been recorded in a bathroom.

stessier wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2023 2:45 pm
If you liked 24 or The Bodyguard (British), check out Night Agent before you go!

Oh man, The Night Agent was amazing. The Diplomat got all the attention, but I feel The Night Agent was even better IMHO.

Posted: **Fri Jun 07, 2024 10:47 am**

Not really about jacking prices (for once), but perhaps a benefit for all the price jacking we've endured - they're rolling out a UI re-design:

Can you believe it’s been 10 years since Netflix last made any big changes to its interface? A new TV app redesign will be rolling out to a subset of users on Thursday. It’s a new Netflix for a new streaming landscape that’s no longer just focused on movies and shows only but on live sports or even video games.

The first thing you’ll probably notice is that the redesign of the TV app removes the left-most vertical menu. In its place is a smaller, horizontal menu along the top of the app with streamlined options including “Home,” “Shows,” “Movies,” and “My Netflix.” That latter tab was first added to the mobile app version, and now it’s on TV as well. If you hit the back button on your remote, you should immediately return to the top menu bar. Gone are tabs like “New and Popular” and “My List.” The “Categories” menu is still there, but you’ll now have to find it in the Search function.

Change is hard, so here's hoping this is painless.

Posted: **Fri Jun 07, 2024 10:56 am**

Oh, I'm sure it will suck.

But, yeah - it could use a few improvements...

Posted: **Fri Jun 07, 2024 11:29 am**

Whether I'm happy depends on whether their goal is a better experience, or better marketing.

Corporate behavior over the past few years has made me a pessimist, so I'm guessing the latter.

Posted: **Fri Jun 07, 2024 11:30 am**

The only interface components I use routinely are My List, Continue Watching, and the search box. As long as those aren't hidden or removed I'm fine with whatever.

Posted: **Fri Jun 07, 2024 1:36 pm**

(He says as more and more streaming services make Keep Watching and My List harder to find by putting them under the ads and multiple rows of 'For You' suggestions.)

Posted: **Fri Jun 07, 2024 2:55 pm**

They've always been constantly tweaking it. But what I've found annoying is how they've been constantly reshuffling the order of 'continue watching' and 'my list'. Sometimes you'd find it near the top, but other times you'd have to scroll through several lines of categories before finding it. These two should be pinned lists, always staying at the top.

And I'll never be watching anything on a mobile device, and I find the two UI's need to be different as they have different needs. I mean, a UI that works well for mobile devices is not necessarily going to be best for TV interface with remote. Funnily enough, I see them advertising their mobile games which they paid so much for, again only available on mobile devices. I use the mobile version very infrequently.

Removing 'New and Popular' is a bummer. I used that thing all the time to figure out what was coming out, seeing as discovery is very poor on Netflix. It was one of the only ways you could actually know what was coming out via Netflix itself. I would use it at least once a week to find stuff that would be coming out and set reminders. I think instead of Netflix deciding what we want in the menu bar, that they should give customization options for what to put in the menu.

Make it more user-friendly instead of less, Netflix.

Posted: **Fri Jun 07, 2024 4:22 pm**

I assume they do that for the same reasons grocery stores (and maybe Costco is the worst offender) do "resets", where they change EVERYthing around. More time in store = spending more in most cases.

They hate people like me who know a store inside and out that can just go to the exact spot on a specific aisle and get what he needs and get out. Netflix et al probably want you to spend as much time as possible having to browse so you can find as many things of interest as possible.

Posted: **Fri Jun 07, 2024 4:41 pm**

Carpet_pissr wrote: ↑Fri Jun 07, 2024 4:22 pm I assume they do that for the same reasons grocery stores (and maybe Costco is the worst offender) do "resets", where they change EVERYthing around. More time in store = spending more in most cases.

I had always assumed Costco did this because they change inventory so often, which annoyed me a whole lot more than moving things around an aisle area. Brands could change without notice and even whether or not they carried a specific type of thing. I've left Costco for BJs, which is closer and allow me to buy in smaller quantities. BJs do the same thing and are actually worse than Costco was and it drives me crazy. I know everyone here are coffee snobs but I like my Folger's. For my taste buds, It's the perfect coffee flavored coffee when you use about 1.5 as much grounds as you are supposed to. Back in March, BJs just stopped carrying it. If I had known that was coming, I probably would have stuck with Costco. $5 chickens and 44 oz (thank you shrinkflation for disappearing 4 oz for the 48 oz) cans of Folger's grounds on the cheap are the main reason I have membership and without it, annually paying for the privilege of buying a limited selection of groceries makes much less sense.

Posted: **Fri Jun 07, 2024 5:03 pm**

If you want to see that taken to extremes, check out a casino sometime. There are design experts with degrees in psychology who specialize in nothing but manipulative layouts.

Non-linear aisles keep you from ever going straight from point A to point B, and instead herd people to the tables, the cashier's cage, and other high-spend areas. Mirrored walls and lines of lights make it tough to tell which way is out. The whole point is to get you lost so that you'll see something you want to try.

Then, free drinks lower your decision making ability. Free snacks keep you from wandering off to look for food. Dark windows and no clocks keep you from realizing how late it's getting. Chairs are designed to be comfortable enough not to cause pains, but precarious enough that you don't sink in and get drowsy. Need change? There's usually someone with a change belt within eyeshot (or, rather, they used to be - I doubt casinos make much use of cash in the areas where change would be relevant.)

Every single element is designed to get you to the right areas and keep you from leaving.

Working in a casino for a few years opens your eyes to just how little of anything in customer-facing business is accidental. From where things are in a store, to where My List is, to where information is located on a website, to how products are placed on Amazon, everything is by careful design.

Posted: **Fri Jun 07, 2024 5:23 pm**

Jack Kornfield wrote:Every facet, every department of your mind, is to be programmed by you. And unless you assume your rightful responsibility, and begin to program your own mind, the world will program it for you.

Posted: **Fri Jun 07, 2024 9:08 pm**

Carpet_pissr wrote: ↑Fri Jun 07, 2024 4:22 pm I assume they do that for the same reasons grocery stores (and maybe Costco is the worst offender) do "resets", where they change EVERYthing around. More time in store = spending more in most cases.

It makes more sense for a grocery store as they constantly have to shuffle things around due to sales and such, or to feature new products. But it makes less sense for a personalized service, with features tailored to the personal experience.

Posted: **Fri Jun 07, 2024 10:50 pm**

It makes more sense when you see that the #1 personalized feature is the ads (including pushed content), which drive sales and feature new productions.

Posted: **Sat Jun 08, 2024 2:18 am**

That would have to assume that one is seeing ads.

Posted: **Sat Jun 08, 2024 8:56 am**

Rumpy wrote: ↑Sat Jun 08, 2024 2:18 am That would have to assume that one is seeing ads.

Every time the app shows you a movie or TV show while you're looking for the content you actually want, you're seeing an ad. It's just that it's an ad for Netflix itself, rather than a 3rd party product.

Posted: **Sat Jun 08, 2024 11:34 am**

Octopus Overlords

Good news, everyone! Netflix jacking prices again!

Re: Good news, everyone! Netflix jacking prices again!

Re: Good news, everyone! Netflix jacking prices again!

Re: Good news, everyone! Netflix jacking prices again!

Re: Good news, everyone! Netflix jacking prices again!

Re: Good news, everyone! Netflix jacking prices again!

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Re: Good news, everyone! Netflix jacking prices again!

Re: Good news, everyone! Netflix jacking prices again!

Re: Good news, everyone! Netflix jacking prices again!

Re: Good news, everyone! Netflix jacking prices again!

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Re: Good news, everyone! Netflix jacking prices again!

Re: Good news, everyone! Netflix jacking prices again!

Re: Good news, everyone! Netflix jacking prices again!

Re: Good news, everyone! Netflix jacking prices again!

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Re: Good news, everyone! Netflix jacking prices again!

Re: Good news, everyone! Netflix jacking prices again!