Netflix subscribers have taken to social media to express their dismay at the service raising its prices in the US.
READ MORE: ‘Squid Game’ season two review: Netflix’s survival thriller will wrap its tentacles around you again
The rise, the first since October 2023, sees the standard subscription with no adverts now cost $17.99 (£14.60) a month, up from $15.49. Its membership with ads will also rise, by one dollar to $7.99 (£6.46). The Premium package is now priced at $24.99 (£20.20), a nine per cent rise from the previous cost.
No price increases have been announced for the UK market, although the 2023 increase in America was followed by a rise for British subscribers. Netflix have defended the move, saying in a statement “We will occasionally ask our members to pay a little more so that we can re-invest to further improve Netflix”.
That investment includes a number of new releases that have seen rises in subscribers for the streamer. The second series of Squid Game was a rating hit, while live events like WWE wrestling, NFL games, and a boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul have contributed to a reported 19 million subscribers added in the last few months of 2024.
Despite the company’s claims, many have lamented the decision. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), one user wrote: “Netflix raising their prices AGAIN is ridiculous and greedy as fuck. I wish we could all band together and cancel our subscription as a whole for 30 days. The message that would send would be iconic!”
Netflix raising their prices AGAIN is ridiculous and greedy as fuck. I wish we could all band together and cancel our subscription as a whole for 30 days. The message that would send would be iconic!
— RIOT (@infamousRIOT) January 21, 2025
Another criticised them for incremental increases, saying: “Remember when Netflix first raise their prices and ppl said ‘Idky you’re bitching it’s just a dollar’? Now you see why we bitched. It wasn’t just a dollar. They kept tacking on more and more and more dollars. And now we’re paying $25 when it used to be $11.99”.
Remember when Netflix first raise their prices and ppl said “Idky you’re bitching it’s just a dollar”?
Now you see why we bitched. It wasn’t just a dollar. They kept tacking on more and more and more dollars. And now we’re paying $25 when it used to be $11.99. https://t.co/KV6hhXVXzF
— BlackBelleFlower (@BlkBelleFlower) January 21, 2025
Elsewhere, a user expressed their frustration at long gaps between series, and shows being abruptly cancelled. They wrote: “for the low low price of $24.99 per month you get one. tv shows where you have to wait two-three years for another season and two. tv shows that get cancelled after a single season due to Netflix not advertising it whatsoever”.
for the low low price of $24.99 per month you get 1. tv shows where you have to wait 2-3 years for another season and 2. tv shows that get cancelled after a single season due to netflix not advertising it whatsoever https://t.co/coNW8CPL0M
— danique (@povpercabeth) January 21, 2025
Despite the ire, Netflix currently boasts over 300million subscribers worldwide as of January 2025, an increase of 41million from 2023.
Recently, the company released the teaser for the fifth and final season of its hit show You. Cameron Diaz also returned to acting in Netflix original movie Back In Action, which received lukewarm reviews from critics.
The post TV fans furious with Netflix price increase: “Ridiculous and greedy” appeared first on NME.
