The streaming giant increases its UK fees by up to 18%, sparking backlash amid soaring global success.
Netflix has increased its UK subscription prices, hiking its most popular standard plan by 18%—despite enjoying a record-breaking surge in global subscribers.
The standard subscription without adverts has jumped by £2 to £12.99 per month, while the premium tier has risen by £1 to £18.99. Even the ad-supported plan, previously a budget-friendly option, now costs £5.99 per month, reflecting a £1 increase. The price of adding extra members has also gone up, with costs now ranging from £4.99 to £5.99. The new rates apply to both new and existing customers.
Embed from Getty Images“We will occasionally ask our members to pay a little more so that we can reinvest to further improve Netflix,” the company stated, justifying the hike by promising further investment in content.
However, technology analyst Paolo Pescatore warned that Netflix is approaching a tipping point. “Consumers will become incredibly frustrated by price hikes—there is a ceiling Netflix must tread carefully around,” he cautioned.
The move comes at a time of unprecedented success for the streaming giant. Analysts had predicted nearly 10 million new subscribers in the last quarter of 2024, yet Netflix nearly doubled expectations, adding 19 million subscribers worldwide. By year’s end, its total global user base had surpassed 300 million, marking a staggering increase of 41 million in just 12 months.
Netflix’s soaring popularity has been driven by hit releases such as Squid Game and exclusive sports coverage, including the high-profile boxing match between Jake Paul and former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.
While price hikes have become common across streaming services—Disney+, Spotify, and Paramount+ all raised their rates last year—Netflix’s decision to push through an 18% increase, despite a surge in revenue, is already sparking backlash.
With the streaming wars intensifying and inflation squeezing household budgets, the big question remains: will UK subscribers continue to pay up, or will Netflix’s gamble backfire?
