Briefs

Netflix is raising prices by 60 percent for subscribers who want to watch films and TV shows both online and via mail-order DVDs. Previously, viewers could opt for a $9.99 monthly package for DVDs by mail and unlimited streaming. Under the new plan, those options will be unbundled and will cost $7.99 each. Netflix needs to boost revenue to raise funds for expansion, acquire new content, and renegotiate contracts with Sony, Walt Disney, and others. On July 13 the Los Gatos (Calif.) company signed a multiyear agreement renewing and expanding its rights to movies and TV shows from NBCUniversal, including The Office and 30 Rock.

Looking to reduce costs and revive profit growth, Cisco may trim its workforce by about 14 percent, or 10,000 jobs, according to two people familiar with the plans. The cuts include as many as 7,000 jobs by the end of August, in addition to 3,000 workers who have accepted buyouts. Cisco has been losing market share in its core switches and routers businesses to competitors such as Hewlett-Packard and Juniper Networks. In May, Cisco cut 550 jobs when it shut down the Flip video camera unit.