Netflix hike may prompt search for more options

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Updated: October 27, 2011 12:30AM

As Netflix hikes its fees for streaming movies and TV shows over the Internet and sending DVDs by mail —as much as 60 percent — there are a growing number of options for watching movies and TV shows online, on DVDs or through cable TV’s on-demand services.

Netflix Inc. is charging $16 combined for streaming and one DVD at a time, a 60 percent increase from $10 under the old package. Smaller fee increases are coming for Netflix more expensive plans, which offer more DVDs. A plan that offers only online streaming remains unchanged at $8 per month.

So what are some other options?

Amazon’s Instant Video. Amazon.com Inc.’s service offers thousands of movies and episodes of TV shows for online rental. Rental prices range from $1 to $5. There is no monthly subscription plan. Customers can stream movies and shows on computers or on TV sets using a compatible, Internet-connected device such as Blu-ray players and set-top boxes from the likes of Sony, Panasonic, TiVo or Logitech.

Apple iTunes. Customers can rent regular or high-definition flicks and watch them on iPhones, iPads, computers or TV sets using Apple TV set-top boxes. Apple lets people rent first-run, high-definition movies the day they come out on DVD for $5 each, though most movies cost $3 or $4. TV shows are generally $1.

Redbox. This unit of Coinstar Inc., has more than 27,000 bright-red DVD kiosks in grocery stores, drugstores and elsewhere around the U.S. Customers can rent DVDs for $1 per night — $1.50 for Blu-ray.

Blockbuster. Blockbuster shifted to per-day pricing — $3 for the first day for just-released films and $2 the first day of other newer movies. Additional days are $1. Blockbuster offers no monthly streaming plan.

Cable. Of course, you need monthly cable service. The average cost of Comcast Inc.’s basic package is about $60 for TV service, about 100 digital channels, music channels, video on demand and XfinityTV.com. Most cable companies charge $5 for a new movie release and $2 for older movies. Being a subscriber also gives you access to its offerings online and on the iPad and iPhone.

Hulu and Hulu Plus. Besides a free option, Hulu Plus subscribers can pay $8 per month for more content, high-definition viewing and access on the iPad and newer-model iPhones, as well as video game consoles and high-end TV sets from Samsung, Sony or others.

AP