What the New Netflix Price Hike Means for Your Subscription

Netflix’s Latest Price Hike: More Bang for Your Buck or Just More Bucks?

Netflix is once again tightening the subscription screws, hiking up prices for customers in the US, Canada, Argentina, and Portugal. Set to take effect on January 28, the price increase was announced just before the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call. The streaming giant justifies the move by pointing to its ever-growing library of shows, movies, and even live programming—like its new deal to broadcast WWE matches in 2025. This marks the second price bump in just over a year, with the last one happening in October 2023.

For those who share accounts, Netflix is keeping its extra member fees steady, but there’s a new twist: an ad-supported option for $7 a month, a dollar less than the ad-free version. This means users can still split their subscription, but they’ll have to sit through commercials to save that extra buck. Meanwhile, standalone plans in the US are climbing—ad-supported subscriptions now cost $8 a month, while the Standard plan is rising from $15.50 to $18. Premium subscribers will see a $2 bump, bringing their monthly fee to $25.

This move follows a growing trend across the streaming industry. Disney, Hulu, and ESPN Plus all raised their prices in late 2024, and platforms like Peacock and Paramount Plus adjusted their costs last year as well. The silver lining? Some customers can still find ways to bundle and save. Comcast’s StreamSaver, for instance, offers Netflix, Peacock, and Apple TV Plus for $15 a month, while Dish and Verizon provide Netflix bundles for select users.

Netflix’s price increase reflects its strategy of evolving beyond traditional streaming, expanding into gaming, live sports, and exclusive content. But with more options popping up in the streaming wars, the question remains—how much are viewers willing to pay before they start looking elsewhere?……..[read more]