Cord cutters have long cited pricing of standard cable and satellite as a reason for dropping those services and switching to streaming services like Netflix. But with more and more channels, like Disney, pulling away from partnerships with these streaming services to create their own online services and apps, getting to all the content fans want is getting to be more expensive. And prices of these services, while still cheaper than cable on their own, are just going to increase.
As Mashable reports, beginning now for new Netflix users, and coming soon for existing users, prices will increase for the Standard and Premium services by $1 and $2, respectively. The Basic package will remain at $7.99 while the new Standard package is set at $10.99 and the Premium package is set for $13.99. The last price increase for Netflix was announced in 2016, but it was considered “un-grandfathering” to align long-time users to their current pay structure; it also introduced the three tiered structure.
Netflix has expanded their offerings from curated movies and television shows to include original content, like Stranger Things, House of Cards, and The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and has even purchased comic book publisher Millarward for future Netflix Originals releases. While none of these ventures are cheap and could be used as an excuse to raise the prices of the streaming service even more, Netflix’s small bump in cost for customers seems like too little to amount to much, but considering that Netflix has just over 100 million subscribers, that little bit adds up.
Reactions to Price Increase
How are those subscribers taking the news of the price increase? Not surprisingly, many fans are reacting with far more acceptance than seen in other networks creating their own streaming service for one or two shows:
Netflix Price increased again, but it’s still worth every penny.
— Michael Kukielka (@DetroitBORG) October 5, 2017
hey u know what if netflix's price going up means they can get the rights to and make more movies and tv shows then I'm honestly fine w it
— mik//SW TOMORROW (@N0TWITHOUTYOU) October 5, 2017
Even with the price increase I am going to keep my #Netflix. It provides a ton of entertainment. May ditch my #WWENetwork losing interest.
— Greg (@NinjaGreg34) October 8, 2017
Hi @netflix I would be happy to pay the higher price, Pls listen to the viewers and #RenewGypsy . Sometimes the story matters! @lnr516 pic.twitter.com/7KrmfnJWML
— Sydnie (@Sydnie49) October 5, 2017
However some fans are bristled enough to threaten cancellation or are simply upset that the current programming isn’t something that should warrant a price hike:
Does anyone really need Netflix anymore tho. Like they raise their price $1 and I’m like not worth it
— Chrispy (@TigerEmoji) October 6, 2017
Dear @netflix, your plan in raising your price makes @hulu look more appealing.
— Mauricio Roach (@floresm_3) October 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/CrimsonCateye/status/917054599793537024
So they are increasing the price of Netflix but wont put Bobs Burgers back on there….
— Eric⛱ (@EricIsMixed) October 8, 2017
And, honestly, I have to agree with twitter user @hammbone84 – I would love the option to hide my binging history from my husband!
The Netflix price increase better give me the option to hide what I've viewed so my wife can't tell if I've been binge watching without her.
— HammBone (@hammbone84) October 8, 2017
No Change for T-Mobile Users
It is important to note that T-Mobile users that get Netflix through their service will continue to receive this as a free perk, as confirmed by T-Mobile:
Absolutely nothing changes! T-Mobile will still cover your Netflix standard subscription with Netflix on Us. *TaylorBest
— T-Mobile Help (@TMobileHelp) October 5, 2017
Do you subscribe to Netflix? How do you feel about the price change? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us at @GeekGirlAuth!
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