Netflix hikes prices again for Aussies
Netflix has quietly increased its prices in Australia, with viewers set to fork out almost $30 a month for its premium subscription. All Netflix account holders will be affected, no matter what subscription plan they are on. Viewers who are on the streaming platform's two standard options will be slugged an extra $2 a month.
This means, those who are on the cheapest option - the 'standard with ads' - will see an increase in their monthly bill from $7.99 to $9.99. Those who are on the standard, ad-free plan will see their monthly bill rise from $18.99 to $20.99. Viewers who have opted for Netflix's premium plan will be hit with the biggest hike, with $3 being added to their monthly bill.
The premium plan will now cost $28.99, up from $25.99, a 26 per cent jump since its last price rise in May 2024. The platform will also add an extra $1 for viewers who want to add an extra member to any of their plans. It will now cost viewers $6.99 per month to add an extra user to the standard plan with ads, up from $5.99, and $8.99 for the standard plan without ads, up from $7.99.
'We offer a range of prices and plans to meet a wide range of needs, and as we deliver more value to our members, we occasionally ask them to pay a bit more,' Netflix said in a statement. 'We're adjusting prices in Australia, with plans starting at $9.99AUD.' Existing customers will be sent an email notifying them of the price rise before their monthly bill is adjusted.
In February this year, the streaming giant also axed its basic plan, making it more expensive for users to enjoy content without ads. Netflix has steadily moved away from its budget-friendly roots, having hiked prices a total of six times since its launch in Australia in 2015. The cost of Netflix's cheapest plan has jumped a whopping 43 per cent in just over 12 months when combined with the price change in May 2024.
The company also monetised account sharing - which used to be free - and phased out its most affordable ad-free option. When Netflix first launched its 'basic' and ad-free subscription was only $8.99, while its premium was a measly $14.99 compared to today's price of almost $30 a month. In 2023, Netflix also cracked down on account holders sharing passwords between households.
The platform emailed Aussie viewers in May 2023, explaining an account was only for the people within their home. 'Your Netflix account is for you and the people you live with – your household,' Netflix warned. The latest price increases have put Netflix at the top of the list for most expensive mainstream subscription video services in Australia.
In comparison, Stan costs viewers as little as $12 for its basic plan, $17 for its standard and $22 for its premium subscription. If viewers want to add Stan Sports to their account, it is an additional $20 per month. Meanwhile, HBO Max offers a basic plan with ads for $11.99 a month, a standard plan for $15.99 and a premium plan of $21.99 a month.
Viewers who prefer Paramount+ are also paying less, with monthly basic - with ads - plans from $10, a standard plan costing $19 and a premium subscription at $13.99. Binge offers viewers the choice of $10 a month for its basic with ads subscription, $19 for its standard and $22 for its premium plan. Disney+ offers viewers the option between two plans - $15.99 for the standard and $20.99 for the premium.
Prime Video also offers a flat monthly fee of $9.99, while BritBox offers $8.99 a month. Netflix's latest price push also comes as the streamer renegotiates deals with some of its high-profile talent including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The new scaled-back agreement is a 'first look' style deal, rather than the couple's previous multimillion-dollar exclusive agreement. The couple confirmed on Monday that Netflix will be given the opportunity to view and potentially buy any future productions before the pair offer it to other platforms.
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