Netflix raises its prices again in the UK and I'm not sure how many more price hikes I can take.
Is it time to change your streaming subscriptions?
Netflix has decided to raise the prices of its subscription plans in the UK, following a similar trend implemented in the United States last month. The increases affect both the ad-supported and premium plans, which now cost £1 more, while the standard ad-free plan has seen a £2 hike.
The price increase applies to all three subscription types, with increases reaching up to £2. The standard ad-free plan rises from £10.99 to £12.99, marking the largest increase, while the premium plan goes from £17.99 to £18.99. Meanwhile, the most affordable plan, which includes ads and was launched in 2022, has also raised its price from £4.99 to £5.99.
This decision aligns with similar price hikes implemented in Canada, Portugal, and Argentina, suggesting that more global subscribers could face increases in the future. However, Australia might be exempt from this change, as its prices had already gone up in May of the previous year.
In addition to the subscription price adjustments, Netflix has introduced a new additional charge for users who wish to share their account with someone outside their household. For those with ad-free plans wanting to add an extra member, the fee will be £5.99, while those using the ad-supported service will pay £4.99, unchanged.
Subscriber reactions on social media indicate widespread dissatisfaction due to this new increase. Many believe that even the high-quality content Netflix offers, such as its popular series and movies, no longer justifies the rising costs, especially at a time when the service seems to be investing more in live events like sports.
Technical issues observed during recent events streaming, such as the boxing matches between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, have left some fans dissatisfied, contributing to the discomfort among viewers.
In this context, an increasing number of customers are considering switching streaming services monthly as a strategy to save money, with some even thinking about canceling their Netflix subscriptions altogether. In a Reddit thread, several service users expressed their intention to leave it out of their subscription rotation.
Despite the recent decline in service usage by some users, Netflix reported its best quarter for new sign-ups at the end of 2024, adding a record 19 million new subscribers. This figure can be attributed to various company strategies, such as the introduction of its ad-supported plan, the crackdown on password sharing, and focusing on increasing its content offerings, including live sports.
It is expected that even with new streaming alternatives offering content at lower prices, interest in Netflix may remain strong, especially with anticipated releases like the fifth season of Stranger Things and the seventh season of Black Mirror.
