Netflix is hiking its subscription costs again, raising monthly prices by $1 to $2 across its major tiers after it recently backed out of its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Key Facts
- Netflix’s standard plan with ads increased a dollar to $8.99 a month.
- The streamer’s standard with no ads and premium tiers both jumped up $2, reaching $19.99 a month and $26.99 a month, respectively, according to Netflix.
- Prior to Thursday, Netflix’s last hiked subscription costs in January 2025.
- Netflix told Variety the price hike for existing members will be rolled out over the coming weeks and that members will receive an email one month before new prices are applied.
How Much Have Netflix Prices Increased In Recent Years?
A little more than three and a half years ago, when Netflix introduced its ad subscription, prices were significantly lower. In October 2022, the cheapest plan was $6.99 per month, while the standard plan was $15.49 and the premium plan reached $19.99—the current day price of the standard subscription.
Tangent
Netflix backed out of its $82.7 billion offer to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery’s studio and streaming business last month. Paramount Skydance is now poised to purchase the media conglomerate after paying Netflix a $2.8 billion breakup fee. Netflix co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters said in a statement the offer for Warner Bros. Discovery “was always a ‘nice to have’ at the right price, not a ‘must have’ at any price.”
Key Background
Netflix boasts the most expensive streaming service out of all its competitors. However, it is one of the most successful streamers and accounts for 8.8% of monthly TV viewing by Americans, according to Nielsen. Hulu’s most expensive standalone plan costs $18.99 per month, the same price as Disney+’s premium plan. Unlike Netflix, Disney offers bundle plans including Hulu, ESPN and Warner Bros. Discovery’s HBO Max. The Disney+ and Hulu premium bundle costs $19.99 per month—the same price as Netflix’s standard plan.
This article was originally published on forbes.com and all figures are in USD.
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