Netflix subscribers are hoppin' mad

Netflix customers -- those who didn't bolt when the company announced what amounted to a 60% price increase -- got more major news this week. In the near future, those who have both the mailed-DVD and online streaming service will have to deal with two separate websites to manage those accounts. They'll be "even easier to use," CEO Reed Hastings said in a blog post.

There were 23,702 comments at last count at The Netflix Blog, and we'd guess that 99% of those who voiced an opinion aren't buying it. "Two websites and two monthly bills, all for what? Certainly not 'ease of use' for your customers," wrote Ben Cornue, who said he's canceling.

It's unusual to see so much venom directed online at a company.

"This is a terrible idea. What are they thinking? Netflix is a well-known brand name and until recently ... well-loved. ... Are they trying to get rid of us? This consumer was satisfied even with the new pricing, but is now considering other options," reader "nanabolini" commented at The Washington Post. (Looking for Netflix alternatives? You'll find them here.)

There are a few defenders. "Raym2" said at the Post:

None of you get it. They were expecting the DVD service to die on the vine anyway. Splitting the streaming and DVD services is just the clean break they have been planning all along so they can kill the DVD service eventually in the not-too-distant future.

I blame all the cheapskates who thought it was such an insult to pay $16 instead of $10 monthly for an excellent service. $6 friggin' dollars!!! People spend more than that in one trip to McDonald's without batting an eyelash.

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How will these two separate services work?

• Managing your online streaming account will continue to be done at Netflix.com.
• Managing your mailed DVDs will be done at a site called Qwikster.com. (The name "Qwikster" is already claimed on Twitter by "a user with a profile picture of Elmo smoking and a Twitter feed littered with foul language," The Washington Post reports.)
• Qwikster will have a service upgrade that includes video game rentals. Details yet to come.
• If you keep both services, you'll get two separate charges on your credit card.

Post continues after video.

Other common questions:

Will I be able to see at both websites whether the movie I want is available via streaming, DVD or both? CEO Hastings' post at The Netflix Blog suggests not (while putting the best possible spin on this): "Each website will be focused on just one thing (DVDs or streaming) and will be even easier to use." He also said, "A negative of the renaming and separation is that the Qwikster.com and Netflix.com websites will not be integrated."

What about my movie ratings? What happens to old reviews is unclear. However, Hastings said, "Similarly, if you rate or review a movie on Qwikster, it doesn't show up on Netflix, and vice-versa."

Is Qwikster a throw-away name or what? Yes, but that may be part of Netflix's plan for the mailed-DVD business. The goofy name (and separate website) "all seems to make a bit more sense when you're proactively ridding your company of a business that will do nothing but nosedive in the years to come," Darren Murph editorialized at Engadget.

Yes, folks, this is about the future. Mailed DVDs eventually will become a thing of the past. (Note: Most of those 1 million customers who fled after the price increase were DVD-only customers.) That's despite the fact that Netflix's DVD selection is much bigger than movies available for streaming -- 100,000 vs. 20,000, according to one estimate -- and that half of Netlflix's 24 million customers still use both.)

Some observers think Netflix made a smart decision to split the company and assign its well-known name to the streaming venture. Erick Schonfeld wrote at TechCrunch:

With this move, Hastings is reaffirming his long-held belief that streaming is the future of Netflix and the future of entertainment, and Wall Street can judge its progress by how well the streaming business is doing on its own. Separating the businesses will also force customers to make a choice, and it is obvious which choice Hastings wants them to make (hint: it starts with an "N").

But what about us, customers want to know. "Streaming and DVD service may be two different services for Netflix but for the customer, they are largely one in the same -- access to films," David Barba wrote at The Netflix Blog. "If I can stream it, great, but if not, send me the DVD. Until all the films are available to stream (or at the very least a high percentage), this doesn't make sense."

Levi Kaplan wrote:

I simply do not want to keep up with two bills, two services, and two websites. Streaming movies made up for the time it took for a DVD to get to me, and the DVDs by mail made up for how few movies I looked for I could actually find able to be streamed.

Sir, You do not have two successful companies here, you HAD one.

More on MSN Money:

• Netflix's risky bet on video games
• Netflix to split into 2 companies
• Alternatives for angry Netflix customers
• Should you cut the cable TV cord?
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• Netflix has a bigger problem than you think