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Poll: Will Netflix's new Blu-ray rates cause a change in your subscription?

by Richard Lawler Apr 1st 2009 @ 12:00PM


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.

How will Netflix's new Blu-ray surcharges affect you?

SlySoft moving to subscription-based upgrade model

by Darren Murph Dec 12th 2008 @ 10:32AM

It was nice to purchase SlySoft's AnyDVD HD once and let the gurus in Antigua continually re-break whatever DRM Hollywood chose to throw out, wasn't it? After this year, you can kiss that luxury goodbye -- that is, if you continue to sit on the sidelines. SlySoft has just announced that starting on January 1, 2009, it will "change its update policy from free lifetime updates to an annual subscription fee." The good news? Anyone who buys a SlySoft product before that day will not be affected by the change. In other words, you've still got a few weeks to decide whether or not you want to join the Blu-ray backup crowd, and to make your decision easier, the outfit is offering a 20% discount on all software products (save for upgrades) through December 31st.

AT&T's U-verse HD Premium Tier explained: $5 for three channels

by Darren Murph Oct 24th 2008 @ 1:28AM


Ugh. This is just downright ugly. For the longest while, AT&T had quite the edge in the pricing department compared to most other HD programming competitors. For just $10 per month, users had access to over 40 high-def channels, but apparently, all that is about to change. Following a ominous postcard sent out to select California-area U-verse users, AT&T has confirmed on its website that the newfangled HD Premium Tier is real. And it's a ripoff. Beginning "soon," subscribers who wish to see Universal HD, MGM HD and / or Smithsonian HD will be forced to pay an additional $5 on top of the $10 HD access fee. We're not sure if this so-called Premium Tier will eventually host even more HD channels for the same low, low price of $5 per month, but until we find that it does, we'd recommend holding off. Seriously, AT&T? $5 per month for three channels?

[Via U-talk forums, thanks Anthony]

Verizon hikes up monthly FiOS DVR charge

by Darren Murph May 20th 2007 @ 8:52PM

Verizon is certainly no stranger to cranking up the fees on its number of services, and while it doesn't exactly have a vast footprint of FiOS subscribers just yet, the monthly charge for your DVR is going up nonetheless. Reportedly, current subscribers are getting notices now that show FiOS DVR pricing going from $12.99 to $15.99 per month "on new services added and orders places on or after July 13, 2007." It still seems ambiguous as to whether or not current customers will be grandfathered in at the lower rate, but we've got all ideas that everyone will end up footing the higher bill. Additionally, the cost of a full disconnect ($74.99) will now be charged to the departing user if "it requires a technician to visit," so we'd strongly suggest delivering your wares sans hired help if you decide to pull the plug.




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