One only has to look at Netflix's recent growth to see how successful it's been while branching out onto new disc formats and digital delivery. Still, the news that the $1 Blu-ray surcharge is kicking upwards next month based on how many discs you can have out at once is making many previously happy (or not-so-happy) customers rethink their status. Still, Blu-ray discs are more expensive and if you've been happy with Netflix's service so far, maybe it remains a good deal. After a couple days to let the news settle in pick one, and let us know why in the comments.

Ruh roh. In a move that will undoubtedly cause an incredibly raucous stir, only to fade away as movie renters realize that Netflix is still the best deal going, America's most adored by-mail rental service is hiking the price of Blu-ray rentals once again. If you'll recall, Netflix already implemented a $1 per month fee for Blu-ray customers back in October, and now it's looking to push that premium higher by around 20 percent across its pricing tiers. The company asserts that the increase (slated to hit April 27th and only applicable to BD customers) is due to it buying more titles on BD to "accommodate the increasing number of Netflix members who prefer renting movies on Blu-ray." In fact, nearly 10 percent of all Netflix customers are choosing BD now, and obviously these platters cost quite a bit more for anyone (even Netflix) to procure. Head past the break to see how big of a hardship this will be on you.

So, you thought all those cable carriers out there were going to raise prices while DirecTV sat idly by, adding enough HD channels to push it well over the 100 mark and be totally content with its current revenue stream? Wrong. Word on the street has it that the satcaster will be pushing rates up on a number of packages starting March 4th. We've got to say -- if there's one operator out there that can justify marginal increases, it's DirecTV. We mean, it's the HD leader, after all. The list of changes is far too long to cover here, so tap the read link and start pinching those pennies.

[Thanks, Vanbrothers]

Those of you who reckoned AT&T was simply "above" those ignoble price hikes that cable companies are so famous for have some reality to check. Within the last week and change, the operator has announced that it will be pushing up some U-verse TV prices in February, ditching the whole "free access to Flickr Pro" thing and now, raising rates for new subscribers in the Badger State. According to a new writeup in Madison-based The Capital Times, a company spokesman has affirmed that three of its primary TV packages (U100, U200 and U-family) will increase by $5 per month for new customers, while existing subs will narrowly escape the hike for now. The changes are set to go into effect on February 1, 2009, and of course, they come hot on the heels of Charter's decision to push prices skyward. So much for competition driving prices south, huh?

Those subscribers still around on DISH Network should pay attention, as word out of the latest retailer chat has revealed everything coming down the pipe in the near future. First, the bad news: price hikes are on the way, starting February 1 Turbo HD packages increase between $5 - $10 per month, while the HD add on package price stays the same. Of course, increased HD services are promised to make the higher price worth it, and in a bit of good news, The Dark Knight hits DISH On Demand in 1080p the day after Christmas for $6.99, for all three of us who haven't bought the Blu-ray yet. Other than assorted other price changes, DISH is switching to a confusing new naming scheme for its SD channel lineups and all receivers, so say goodbye to the ViP722 and hello to the Enhanced HD Duo DVR Receiver. We can tell you've been overwhelmed by the excitement, check out the rest of the details at Satelliteguys.us and then let us know how you feel.

It was only a few months ago that AT&T struck a nerve with HD subscribers due to a $5 monthly increase for three new channels, and now it seems it's back to the tried-and-true nickle and dime approach once more. Customers are beginning to receive email notifications (posted in full after the break) that beginning February 1, 2009, the monthly rates for a few services will be headed skyward. For starters, those non-DVR U-verse receivers will soon cost $7 per month versus the $5 per month that they cost now. Additionally, the Movie Package will shoot up from $15 to $20 (monthly) and Paquete Español will increase from $10 to $15 (also monthly). Got any other impending hikes we should know about, AT&T?

[Thanks, Darrell]

When it comes time for the proverbial belt to tighten, what's one of the first places you turn? That outlandishly huge cable bill, we'd wager. Apparently Comcast users in particular have been calling in by the hundreds asking how the carrier can lower their monthly bills, and it has even gone so far as to create an "economy video tier that costs below $30 a month with 50 TV channels plus music channels." Of course, it also just raised rates for most subscribers along with practically every other provider in America (Atlantic Broadband notwithstanding), but hey, it can't hurt to call up and politely throw around that "switch to satellite" threat.

We already counted four major cable providers who either already have or soon will increase their rates in one aspect or another, and now you can make it an even five. Insight Communications will be hiking rates for many customers by around $3 per month come January, and while it would be easy to link said increases to the recent Digital 4.0 update, spokeswoman Sandy Colony says it's actually just due to "higher programming costs from various channels." Of note, those who subscribe solely to basic cable won't see a change, but anyone utilizing the "classic cable service" will be asked to hand over three more bucks per month. Ah well, at least this increase is easier to swallow than most -- having a full plate of HD to chew on for the next 12 months makes the pill go down that much smoother.

You know those cable price hikes that have been going around lately? Looks like you're not the only one who's a tad upset about it. The Federal Communications Commission has actually come forward to express its concern from the rampant outbreak of cable pay-TV increases, with spokeswoman Mary Diamond proclaiming that "over the last decade, average cable rates have more than doubled, and now cable companies are charging consumers more but consumers are receiving less." Of course, it's not like the almighty FCC is going to step in and pony up for the delta or anything philanthropic like that, but it is good to see The Man standing up for the children. Even if it's just empty words in the end.

[Via Columbia Tribune, image courtesy of YouthRetirement]

You know it how it goes -- come one, come all. As the price hike bandwagon continues to grow, we now have Cablevision joining the likes of Comcast, Charter and Mediacom, who are all raising at least some of their prices on cable. Reportedly, Cablevision will be escalating prices by around 3.5% on average in 2009, and while spokesman Jim Maiella points out that said rate is "below the current rate of inflation," we can't imagine that making everything alright in the eyes of customers. Of note, the outfit's triple-play promotion (TV, high-speed internet and digital phone) will remain pegged at $90 per month, and the carrier is asserting that the rate hikes are going to fund its Wi-Fi initiative and VOD enhancements. Makes you feel all better inside, doesn't it?

We've already seen Mediacom and Comcast fess up to forthcoming price hikes, and now we've got Charter Communications pulling some of the same tricks. Recently, the cable carrier announced that (at least in some locales) it will be pushing the price of Expanded Basic up by $2 per month while lowering the HD Ultra View tier by $3 per month. Granted, "many" HD channels are being moved from the latter into the former, but there are the facts. On a positive note, the basic cable package, high-speed internet and digital phones prices are all staying put, so yeah, it could definitely be worse.

Earlier this month, Comcast announced that it would be boosting cable rates by around 4.6%. Now, Mediacom is joining the fun by pumping up the prices in various locales around the country. We're seeing a number of local news outlets putting out information that the carrier will be raising rates in their neck of the woods, with Cedar Rapids, Iowa expecting a 7.2% increase on its mainstay Family Cable package next month. Additionally, the greater Quad Cities area will see a similar change beginning in mid-November, and everyone in Princeton / Caldwell County, Kentucky will be paying more in a few weeks as well. We guess someone has to pay for all those huge HD expansions, right? At least we're only half kidding there.

Read - Cedar Rapids announcement
Read - Quad Cities announcement
Read - Kentucky announcement

Don't even think about saying we didn't warn you. Just as we expected at the first of the year, Comcast is gearing up to hike rates on unsuspecting cable customers, and it's consoling us all by stating that the increase is still well below the rate of inflation (wait, for real?). Beginning on November 1st, the carrier will be raising rates on most cable TV services, DVRs and HD STBs on the average of 4.6%. Interestingly, we're told that high-speed internet and digital home phone services won't see bumps, and neither will bundles. You know what that means? Bundle up or switch out.

[Via ABC, image courtesy of Flickr; thanks Garst]

Blockbuster CFO Tom Casey can say whatever he wants, but to push aside the threat of digital downloads altogether just seems silly. At a recent conference, said bigwig was in attendance to pump up his company, noting that DVD / Blu-ray rentals were still tops in its mind. He pointed out that it's still supporting a $36 billion industry, while the VOD market was remarkably tiny in comparison. He also noted that same-store revenue had recently risen 9%, and while it has been taking big losses of late, he still expects to pull a profit for the year. In related news, further price hikes on rentals could be coming as Blockbuster spends to freshen up stores, add stock and insert kiosks to draw more folks in. We still find it tough to believe that relying on a B&M model in a mail-order / download-at-will world is the best thing to do, but to each his own, we guess.

[Image courtesy of Street Knowledge]

Read - Blockbuster CFO speaks
Read - Blockbuster could raise rental rates

Netflix taketh away, and Netflix giveth. Netflix is about to taketh once more (this time from your wallet), with CEO Reed Hastings noting on a recent conference call that the promised Blu-ray premium would be instituted "very shortly." Specifics weren't mentioned, but we are hearing that the new pricing will be applied across its entire subscriber base "based on how the tests go." Hastings did note that BD rentals still make up a "very low" percentage of rentals, but of course, that will obviously change as time progresses. Any guesses as to how much said "premium" will be?

[Image courtesy of WorkItMom, thanks Dan]