By MoviePass was bound to change when Netflix co-founder Mitch Lowe became CEO in June. Founded in 2011, MoviePass allowed customers to pay as little as $30 a month to see a 2D movie every 24 hours at participating theaters. (MoviePass is $45 a month in New York City. Rates vary by city.)
In late June, some customers got a rude awakening: MoviePass is upping its prices and changing its business model for the worse. Instead of paying a flat fee of $30 to $45 a month for a theatrical film every 24 hours, customers now only have two choices:
- $40 a month for up to six-and-only-six 2D or 3D movies ($50 a month in NYC)
- $99 a month for one movie every 24 hours, including 3D, IMAX, and larger formats
Looks like the party’s over, cinephiles.
Like many others, I’m disappointed by the changes. I’ve only been a member since March and was seeing about 8 movies a month. Theater selection in NYC was diverse: pretty much all multiplexes, The Film Society of Lincoln Center, Nitehawk, Metrograph, IFC Center, the Angelika, and BAM. I was able to see a number of blockbusters as well as indie movies and revival screenings, and I was planning on seeing about 11-12 movies this month. This probably made me a problem customer (i.e., not profitable), and hence a target for culling. They call it an experiment in their business model, I call it a bum deal.
There’s been an outcry over MoviePass’ changes over the last week, with numerous customers voicing their complaints on social media and canceling or suspending service. Many early adopters who have supported the company over the years feel especially upset and even betrayed by these sudden and, frankly, crummy changes.
We’ll have an editorial on this MoviePass blunder tomorrow afternoon. For now, how do you feel about the MoviePass rate hike? Do you have the service and did you avoid the price increase scythe? Are you staying with the service? Let us know in the comments.
[via Geek Dad]