Netflix Considering A Streaming Only Subscription Plan For Those In The US

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As we recently saw, Netflix officially launched in Canada as of yesterday. Though it seems the launch did not go as smooth as everyone would have hoped. Or more accurately, the service seems to be doing fine, however CEO Reed Hastings became the subject of some criticism after what he describes as an “awkward joke.”

Of course, that joke lead into some potential good news for US subscribers looking to ditch the DVD’s. But first the joke.

“Yesterday, I made an awkward joke with a reporter in Toronto about Americans (like me) being self-absorbed relative to Netflix pricing in Canada.”

Thankfully Reed Hastings did go on to publish an apology on the Netflix blog stating that “he was wrong” and does not “believe that one of the most philanthropically-minded nations in the world (America) is self-absorbed or full of self-absorbed people.”

Needless to say, the service in Canada launched as streaming only. In fact, in Canada there are no plans available with the option to have DVD or Blu-ray disks mailed. Given that, the price of the service in Canada is a little lower as compared to the US. The Canadian pricing is $7.99 per month and the cheapest plan in the US is $8.99. Granted that includes mail and streaming, but some do not want the mail option at all.

Long story short, thanks to his blunder we have word that a streaming only plan is a possibility for the US market.

“We are looking at adding a streaming-only option for the USA over the coming months.”

Personally, I stream much more than I get by mail, but at the same time for just $1.00 extra per month it is nicer to have the option available. That said, I am curious, anyone here in the US that would be willing to save a buck each month and lose the option to get DVD’s by mail?