By After an increase in January that saw a $2 raise for new customers, Variety is now reporting that the streaming juggernaut is upping their rates for all US customers starting in May.
Reports indicate the following changes for monthly streaming plans:
Standard plan–two HD streams–to increase from $10.99 to $12.99
Premium plan–four HD streams–to increase from $13.99 to $15.99
Basic plan–one non-HD stream–will increase (for the first time) from $7.99 to $8.99
No mention on changes to Netflix’s DVD or Blu-Ray options (the former of which I’m still a proponent of), though surely that will follow suit.
The word from Netflix is that the price hikes are to “continue investing in great entertainment and improving the overall Netflix experience.” With major hit Stranger Things returning for its third season in early July, May would be the time to get folks paying a bit more for their binge-service.
Variety notes that the standard plan’s new $12.99 asking price still places Netflix in the mid-range of streaming service costs, with HBO Now asking for $15 a month, while Hulu offers an $11.99 plan.
The question of “subscription fatigue” is brought up, and certainly something worth taking into account. With services like DC Universe, CBS All Access and, soon, Disney+ popping up content is becoming increasingly fragmented and exclusive, and downright sometimes downright frustrating to access. I’d love to check out Doom Patrol! But these things become a hassle to watch.
Yet for any complaining I might do about Netflix’s increase, it doesn’t feel like too much will change. For many, the original content on display is top-of-the-line, and with films and content released by Netflix riling up industry titans and even instigating potential legal drawbacks, their presence is undeniably solidified in modern entertainment.
Netflix Prices for All U.S. Customers Will Increase in May 2019 [Variety]