With Netflix raising their prices and losing Starz as their primary streaming movie source, millions are looking for alternatives for streaming or mail-in DVD rentals. There really aren’t too many options if you’re looking for a new streaming movie provider in place of Netflix, however you may want to read over your options before you decide to kick Netflix to the curb.
Why not just use HULU Streaming Service for Free?
Hulu offers free streaming TV shows and a few movies here and there, but is it worth it? From my recent experience watching a TV show on Hulu Free streaming was frustrating. Constant commercials were as annoying as a mosquito buzzing around my ear. Before you start watching a TV show there’s a commercial, then there are a few scattered throughout the show. On some occasions Hulu asks if you want to take a short survey in place of watching commercials throughout. I took the survey and the commercials stopped. I can’t imaging they’re publishers are receiving good survey results, because to be honest, I chose random answers just to get back to the TV show. To me Hulu Free Streaming was so aggravating it’s not even worth it.
PROS: Large TV show database; entire Criterion Collection catalog; HD-streaming; compatibility with several gaming systems, smartphones, and other devices.
CONS: There are many commercials you have to sit through and the movie selection doesn’t compare with Netflix, even without Starz.
PROS: Enormous selection available for stream; compatibility across many devices; dependable HD streaming.
CONS: No all-you-can-stream option; no physical DVDs; need a fairly new television.
According from Reuters:
(Reuters) – Dish Network Corp won Blockbuster Inc in a bankruptcy auction for $320 million, further broadening its business beyond satellite TV and setting up a possible showdown with Netflix.
Dish Network and Blockbuster still need to work on the transition from brick-and-mortar to streaming before they can even be considered a considerable option for streaming content. However, even their Blockbuster by Mail isn’t that bad of a deal. One DVD or Blu-Ray plans start at $11.99 per month. It’s $5 more than the Netflix plan but you can actually go to the store and rent movies there if you happen to want to see a movie quickly rather than wait for the DVD mailing. They Blockbuster by mail also comes with video games at no extra charge and they also stream most new releases On-Demand, so you can stream releases starting at $2.99.
Of course since Blockbuster was mainly a store-only movie service, their streaming lacks in selection. The streaming selection is so poor that you probably shouldn’t get the Blockbuster service, at least not now, if that’s your intended use for it. On the other hand, if you like the mail DVD rental feature you may like their service since you can just walk into their store at your convenience.
PROS: Huge selection of physical DVDs and Blu-Rays; comes with video games; brick-and-mortar rentals and returns included (while brick-and-mortar stores still exist).
CONS: Still more expensive than Netflix; awful, practically non-existent streaming service.
Unfortunately there’s not a one-fit solution to replacing what Netflix offers, even if they lose Starz, which is why they probably felt comfortable raising their prices and splitting their services. The decision is not an easy one but you’ll need to decide what works best for you. Many are fine dropping Netflix completely and plan on using Redbox for a dollar a rental. Others are sticking with Netflix because they can’t find an alternative. To me the only real competitor to Netflix at the moment is HULU plus. Until someone steps up to the plate and can provide a massive resource of streaming movies and TV shows, you’ll have to settle for one of the players above.