[TrunkleBob]

It's really no different than any other early adopter premiums. They pay $80-$100 every month to watch "Breaking Bad" now; I pay $8/month and I'll get to watch it in a year or so when it hits Netflix. Just like the people driving hybrids and electrics are bringing the cost down to where the rest of the population can afford it.

The only real difference is that in this case the early adopter is the normal case and the late adopters are the outliers.

[jacobbudin]

+1. You'll pay more to watch a movie in a theater than you will months later when it's available on DVD. You'll pay more to watch the same movie on DVD than you will months later when it's available on Netflix Watch Instantly.

This is how successful media business models work: milk the most money from those who most desire the product.

[k-mcgrady]

>> "You'll pay more to watch a movie in a theater than you will months later when it's available on DVD."

This isn't the case where I live. A new release DVD costs approx. £10. I can get a cinema ticket for as little as £3.50.

[jacobbudin]

> This isn't the case where I live. A new release DVD costs approx. £10. I can get a cinema ticket for as little as £3.50.

I'm referring to renting the DVD. Or even buying the DVD, and watching it together as a family or group (£10 DVD vs. 4*£3.50 movie tickets). But yes, there are some caveats.

[k-mcgrady]

Thanks for clearing that up. I didn't consider the cost of tickets for multiple people or renting the movie.

[scpotter]

You're correct for purchasing, but I assumed this was DVD rental. Also there's often Pay-per-view rental between theater and dvd availability.

[oftenwrong]

If you wait for shows to become public domain, you can watch them for free!*

*although you'll be dead long before you can watch breaking bad

[SourPatch]

You can watch many shows for $1.99 on Amazon right after they air.

[whichdan]

I do this for three or four shows, and it's great being able to go back and re-watch entire seasons on a whim. I don't use Amazon Prime Video much since I usually go to Netflix first, but I rarely feel like I'm overpaying or missing out.