Netflix, the world’s largest streaming service, announced on Wednesday that it is raising prices for some of its subscription plans in the U.S., U.K., and France. The price hikes come after Netflix reported strong subscriber growth in the third quarter of 2023, adding 8.8 million customers and bringing its total to 247.2 million12.
The new prices are as follows:
- In the U.S.:
- Standard with ads: $6.99 per month (no change)
- Basic (no longer available): $11.99 per month (up from $9.99)
- Standard: $15.49 per month (no change)
- Premium (with 4K streaming): $22.99 per month (up from $19.99)
- In the U.K.:
- Basic: £7.99 per month (up from £6.99)
- Standard: £10.99 per month (no change)
- Premium: £15.99 per month (up from £13.99)
- In France:
- Basic: €8.99 per month (up from €7.99)
- Standard: €12.99 per month (no change)
- Premium: €17.99 per month (up from €15.99)
Netflix said that the price increases are justified by the value it delivers to its members, citing the variety and quality of its original content, as well as its crackdown on password sharing1. The company also said that the higher prices will help fund more investments in content production and talent acquisition, as it faces increasing competition from other streaming services such as Disney+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+2.
However, some analysts and consumers have expressed concerns that Netflix is becoming too expensive and may lose some of its loyal customers to cheaper alternatives4. According to a survey by The Harris Poll, 74% of Netflix subscribers said they would cancel their subscription if the price increased by more than $2 per month4. Moreover, some of the most popular shows and movies on Netflix, such as The Office, Friends, Harry Potter, and Marvel films, have left or will leave the platform soon, as their owners launch their own streaming services or strike deals with other competitors4.
Therefore, Netflix faces a delicate balance between maintaining its market dominance and profitability, while also keeping its customers satisfied and loyal. The company has proven its ability to adapt and innovate in the past, but it also faces unprecedented challenges and uncertainties in the future. How Netflix will fare in the streaming wars remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: streaming is not getting any cheaper for consumers anytime soon.