Netflix is reportedly planning to raise the prices of its ad-free subscription tiers, according to sources. The increase is expected to happen a few months after the resolution of the actors strike. Initially, the higher rates will affect customers in the U.S. and Canada before being implemented in other markets.
Currently, Netflix offers two ad-free plans: Standard, priced at $15.49 per month, and Premium, costing $19.99 per month. Earlier this year, the streaming giant discontinued its ad-free Basic plan. In November 2022, Netflix introduced an ad-supported plan priced at $6.99 per month. It remains to be seen whether this tier will also see an increase in fees.
Netflix last raised its subscription prices in early 2022, with Basic increasing by $1 per month, Standard by $1.50, and Premium by $2. The response of existing customers to the upcoming price hike remains uncertain. While some may accept the increase, others may opt for the cheaper ad-supported tier or consider alternative streaming services. Additionally, some subscribers may choose to cancel multiple subscriptions to save money.
To avoid discontent among subscribers, Netflix has decided to delay the price increases until after the resolution of the actors strike. This move acknowledges that raising fees during a period without new content could be difficult for some users to accept.
In related news, Warner Bros. Discovery has announced that the ad-free version of its Discovery+ streaming service will see its monthly cost rise from $6.99 to $8.99. Conversely, the price of the ad-supported plan will remain at $4.99 per month. Similarly, Disney+ has also revealed plans to increase the fees for the ad-free versions of its streaming platforms Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+.
