Netflix, Blockbuster, Hulu: Who Will Take the Reins?

For those angry Netflix customers, there is hope outside of the red envelope that once upon a time graced mailbox's and computer screens for the low cost of $9.99.

If you still want to hold onto the glory of Netflix's convenience of DVD streaming and mail delivery, you will have to pay a lot more -- 60 percent more in-fact. Soon, the cheapest option will cost $15.98 a month, a big price in

crease from the current $9.99 monthly rate.

Since that dark day when Neflix increased their low prices to a higher industry standard price -- customers have been up in arms over it. And sadly for Netflix (NFLX), their stock has dropped nearly 10% from its peak, reports CNN.

So while Netflix figures out what is in store for them -- their second-quarter results will be announced this coming Monday -- Netflix customers can look through some other options.

Although the blissful coupling, that was Unlimited Streaming along with deliverable DVDs, have parted ways, life in DVD-land is far from over.

Blockbuster: Their Web site offers movies, TV shows, and games (something Netflix didn't offer). They also have on-demand options to stream, and renting by mail without a subscription (at prices around $4.99 for a seven-day rental, $3.99 to stream). If you want to go for the subscription, they begin at $11.99 per month for the one-DVD/Blu-ray-at-a-time plan. Blockbuster also promises that more releases are available than what Neflix is currently offering to its streaming customers.

Hulu Plus: Hulu has been around for a few years now, but it's only been in the recent year or two that it's really taken off. Viewers can watch Hulu.com for free, but the number of episodes will be limited. But the $7.99/month option, known as Hulu Plus, offers entire seasons of many of your old and new favorite shows, and movies. The free Hulu.com option streams to computers only, but the Hulu Plus plan has options to stream to TVs, smart phones, tablets, etc. The drawback to Hulu and Hulu Plus is the programming is accompanied by advertisements.

Redbox: This is the non-fuss option. No contract, nothing -- just you and a red box. Those who choose to simply pick up a DVD can opt for this option. Redbox is located in supermarkets, outside some fast-food restaurants, such as McDonalds, and convenience stores. It costs about $1 to rent at a kiosk, or you can use the website to reserve a title to be picked up at a specific location. The drawback is the discs must be returned the following day, by 9 p.m.

The benefit to Redbox is they carry recent films, but they are limited to what the kiosk has stored. However, Redbox isn't known for renting out many classic films. So those Marlon Brando fans, who liked his On The Waterfront days better than his Godfather Days, will be, for the most part, out of luck.

In addition to Netflix, Blockbuster, and Redbox, there is also Amazon Prime, iTunes, Network websites which stream recent episodes, video stores, and more.

With the departure of Neflix's dual option the days of a $9.99 value may be gone, but hope is not lost. There are other options to choose from.