Netflix has launched a new subscription plan that gives customers unlimited access to streaming on-demand video without any obligation to rent DVDs — a move that promises to shake up the movie-rental industry. While setting the cost of the streaming-only service at only $7.99 a month, the company nudged up fees for plans that include both streaming videos and DVDs sent to customers the traditional way: By mail. Is this a sign that DVDs will soon be dead? (Watch an interview with the Netflix CEO)
Yes, the days of DVDs are numbered: Netflix apparently has seen the future, and it doesn't involve DVDs, says Nick Bilton at The New York Times. Not only is the company offering an inexpensive streaming-only plan while hiking charges for DVDs, it's using the extra money from DVD subscribers to expand its library of streamable movies.
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