NEW DELHI: Netflix is reportedly gearing up to increase subscription charges for an ad-free experience, with the price hikes initially rolling out in the US and possibly extending to Canada. This move comes on the heels of the cancellation of the actors strike in HHollywood. While the exact details remain unconfirmed, Netflix witnessed a similar price surge the previous year.
Meanwhile, for Indian subscribers, Netflix plans range from ₹149 to ₹649 per month. Despite efforts to crack down on password sharing, a research firm noted that Netflix sign-ups remained robust, indicating that new users are opting to pay for their own accounts rather than resorting to sharing their passwords.
Few months back, Netflix had introduced No password sharing in India, signalling an end to the era of freely shared accounts. The streaming giant was planning to shoot off emails to members who are sharing passwords beyond their households. Reportedly, there was no mail received by the subscribers regarding the same, however, Netflix had mentioned in a blog post that it would start sending mails to users.
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The OTT industry faced scrutiny during the recent strikes by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA, representing unionising writers and actors, respectively. Striking members emphasised the inadequate compensation for the creative minds behind award-winning content, especially amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan, in August, pointed out the irony of streaming giants raising subscription prices while those in the creative industry experienced reduced earnings. Netflix’s ‘Standard with ads’ plan costs $6.99 per month for US residents, while the standard and premium plans are priced at $15.49 and $19.99 per month, respectively.
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In a bid to curb password sharing and streaming by different users, Netflix has now offered extra member slots for $7.99 per person monthly, while also phasing out its basic plan in the US.