Netflix Again Raises Prices for All Plans, 4K Streaming Now $20 Per Month

[MacRumors]

Netflix today updated the prices for its streaming plans, and all of its offerings are now more expensive. The Basic plan is now priced at $9.99 per month, the Standard plan is priced at $15.49 per month, and the Premium plan is priced at $19.99 per month.

The Basic plan is $1 more expensive, up from $8.99 per month. This plan allows users to watch on just one screen at a time, and it limits quality to 480p standard definition, with no HD streaming available. The Standard plan is $1.50 more expensive, up from $13.99 per month. It allows for 1080p HD streaming and allows users to watch on two screens at a time.

The highest-end Premium plan is now $2 more expensive per month, up from $17.99. It allows users to watch on four screens at the same time and it is the only plan that provides a 4K HDR streaming option.

Netflix says that the prices apply immediately to new members and will "gradually take effect" for all current members. Current members will get an email notification 30 days before their price changes and will have the option to change plans or cancel.

Netflix previously raised its prices in October 2020, so it's been a bit over a year since the last significant price jump. As of now, the Premium plan is $4 more expensive than it was in fall 2020.

The Basic Netflix plan is now twice as expensive as the $4.99 per month Apple TV+ subscription, and the Premium plan is four times as expensive. Netflix of course has a lot more to offer than Apple TV+ in terms of content, but it is also more expensive than most other streaming services on the market.

Hulu's basic plan starts at $6.99 per month, for example, and the no ads plan is $12.99 per month. HBO Max is $14.99 per month, Disney+ costs $7.99 per month, and Peacock Premium costs $4.99 per month.

Hulu, Apple TV+, and other services also do not charge for higher quality streaming capabilities, with even the basic plans offering 4K support.

Article Link: Netflix Again Raises Prices for All Plans, 4K Streaming Now $20 Per Month

 

[btbeme]

Remember when streaming meant you could save money instead of an expensive DirecTV contract? Seems like a long time ago...

 

[Isengardtom]

I didn’t even know my basic plan subscription is not HD ?

 

[nutmac]

Geeze, this is ridiculous.

The least Netflix can do is offer 4K across all tiers, differentiated only by # of simultaneous streams.

 

[antiprotest]

Remember when streaming meant you could save money instead of an expensive DirecTV contract? Seems like a long time ago...

Well, if you just want something to watch you can choose one streaming service and stick with it. If you want everything, then yeah, it's not really cheaper now.

 

[greenbreadmmm]

Man if broadcast TV could figure out 4k, I think everyone would just give up the 13 a la carte services and switch back.

 

[Think|Different]

Archaic streaming model, charging more for the modern high definition that is 4K! All the other players don't do this.

 

[jrlcopy]

Suddenly I realized I no longer need netflix.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Remember when streaming meant you could save money instead of an expensive DirecTV contract? Seems like a long time ago...

Those days are over a long time ago. Even YouTube has its own subscription base service model. Providing services... that's where the money is at now.

Look at Apple. The majority of the revenue is coming from the services.

 

[aapl owner]

Remember when streaming meant you could save money instead of an expensive DirecTV contract? Seems like a long time ago...

Yep, this is a total rip off, so you need to spend $20/month for 4k, only for fools. Never did get the fascination with Netflix shows, I subscribe for 1 to 2 months per year and watch all the shows I find interesting. The vast majority are uninteresting to me.

 

[sw1tcher]

Remember when streaming meant you could save money instead of an expensive DirecTV contract? Seems like a long time ago...

Even with this price jump, I'm still saving money.

Before I cut the cord over 10 years ago, I was paying $70-$80/mo just for cable tv (no internet). With internet and Netflix and Hulu, I'm paying under $60/mo.

And I get to subscribe to Disney+, Amazon Prime, etc. for a month, binge, and cancel if I wanted to... and which I have. You can't do that with cable tv.


. . . . so I just checked Spectrum for current rates to compare . . . .

$44.99 for internet (discounted by $24/mo for 12 months for new subscribers)
$44.99 for tv (discounted by $32/mo for 12 months for new subscribers)
$17.99 for broadcast fee
$8.99 for HD box
$5.09 for taxes/misc fees

That's $122.05/mo, then it would jump to $178/mo after 12 month promo... unless I can get them to extend promo price by threatening to cancel.

Ridiculous!

 

[TheDailyApple]

Well, if you just want something to watch you can choose one streaming service and stick with it. If you want everything, then yeah, it's not really cheaper now.

It can still be pretty cheap if you cycle through the services watching what you’re interested in and then unsubscribing and moving on to the next one.

 

[Steeley]

We’re in the midst of the pandemic, businesses are going under and people are uncertain about their financial futures. Way to read the room, Netflix.

And for what? Netflix has had its bones picked by every studio launching their own streaming service and we are left with Netflix Originals and crappy shows and movies from the throw out bin at Blockbuster.

 

[appleguy123]

Netflix is not worth $240 a year. The shows lately have all felt uninspired and algorithmic and then if a show is good it’s canceled too soon. I stopped Netflix almost 2 years ago and really don’t feel like I’m missing anything that compelling.

I spend a lot of time watching TV too. I usually have 5+ active content subscriptions. Nearly every other streaming service is a much better value.

 

[philpalmiero]

I dumped Netflix the last time they raised their rates. I don’t miss them.

 

[johnalan]

Remember when streaming meant you could save money instead of an expensive DirecTV contract? Seems like a long time ago...

I remember when I could buy a Cola for 50c.

 

[ProVideo]

Even with this price jump, I'm still saving money.

Before I cut the cord over 10 years ago, I was paying $70-$80/mo just for cable tv (no internet). With internet and Netflix and Hulu, I'm paying under $60/mo.

And I get to subscribing to Disney+, Amazon Prime, etc. for a month, binge, and cancel. You can't do that with cable tv.

Also being able to share accounts with family members in different households. If it wasn't for that ability, I would likely drop half of my streaming services. Been trying to get my parents to drop cable tv all together and we each go half on YouTube TV to cut their cable bill in half, but they are stuck in their ways.

 

[FightTheFuture]

Suddenly I realized I no longer need netflix.

That's the key here. Netflix will lose 100,000 subscribers for price hikes like this. But the rest of the 200 million will stick with it and pay the extra $1.50.

 

[TechRunner]

My wife and I were just commenting the other day how little we watch on Netflix anymore. This might be the push we need to discontinue our service.

 

[johnalan]

Geeze, this is ridiculous.

The least Netflix can do is offer 4K across all tiers, differentiated only by # of simultaneous streams.

You should launch a competitor. Clearly a gap in the market.

 

[mjtomlin71]

 

[Smoovejayy]

Geeze, this is ridiculous.

The least Netflix can do is offer 4K across all tiers, differentiated only by # of simultaneous streams.

Exactly. Now I'm paying close to $15/mo for Netflix and I ONLY GET 1080p. What in the actual f**k.

 

[gaximus]

Archaic streaming model, charging more for the modern high definition that is 4K! All the other players don't do this.

Its the commercials for me that's the problem.

 

[imamacperson]

Bye bye Netflix. Nice knowing you.

 

[BradWI]

The increase is bad enough on its own but even worse is it gives cover to all the other services to raise their rates as well. "Sure we raised them but we're still cheaper than Netflix"