Amazon touts video titles, just as Netflix customers pick plans

Amazon touts its streaming video library in a bid to put it on Netflix customers' radar as they choose plans ahead of a rate increase.

Written by Larry Dignan, Contributing Editor on Aug. 18, 2011

Amazon really wants to poach a few Netflix customers and its touting its instant video library accordingly.

The e-commerce giant said in a statement that it now offers more than 100,000 movies and TV shows in its library to rent, purchase or stream for free. Amazon Prime members can watch more than 9,000 movies as part of their membership.

None of those statistics are all that newsworthy, but the timing of Amazon's statement is notable. Why? Netlfix customers have to pick their plans by Sept. 1 under the company's new pricing scheme. In a nutshell, folks that had the streaming and 1 DVD out plan have to pick either streaming or DVDs for $7.99 each---or cough up $15.98 for both services.

For what it's worth, I went with the streaming only even though I have some serious reservations about the lack of selection. Redbox is my new DVD service---actually it was my DVD services for the most part anyway.

Amazon Prime may fill in the blanks for me if I get a TV that bundles the service. With that backdrop, it's clear Amazon wants folks to know it's out there in case you're disgruntled with Netflix.

On the financial side, Netflix's price increases are really about escalating content costs. In Netflix's most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company said that has $2.18 billion committed to streaming library content as of June 30. As of Dec. 31, 2010, Netflix reported commitments of $1.07 billion. That's a massive jump in costs.

If Amazon starts a content library war, those costs are only going up.