The Niagara Falls Review

Netflix hikes prices for standard, premium plans

Streaming giant to invest more in content and boost product experience

- VICTORIA AHEARN

Netflix Canada is increasing some of its prices again.

The streaming giant said Thursday the basic plan for subscriber­s remains unchanged at $9.99 a month, but cc the standard monthly plan is t going up by one dollar to $14.99, and the premium by two dollars aa to $18.99.

Netflix says it’s implementi­ng the price increase so it “can invest more in films and shows as well as the quality of members’ ww product experience.”

The company says new members who sign up will see the updated prices effective imme- uu diately. The new charges will roll out to existing members according to their billing cycle over the coming weeks.

Existing members will be notified about the change via email and the Netflix app 30 days before the new prices are applied to them.

Netflix has cancelled some of its programmin­g recently due to COVID-19 pandemic-related issues, including “Glow,” “The Society” and “I Am Not Okay With This.”

The company’s last price increase in Canada was announced in November 2018. At that time, it bumped up the basic monthly plan by a dollar to $9.99, the standard by $3 to $13.99, and the premium by $3 to $16.99.

The basic plan lets subscriber­s watch on one screen at a time at wwa lower-quality resolution. The standard plan allows two screens with high-definition resolution. And the premium offers four-screen usage and ultra HD, 4K video.

“Canadians have never had more choices when it comes to entertainm­ent and we’re more committed than ever to delivering an experience that exceeds their expectatio­ns,” Netflix said in a statement about Thursday’s price increase.

“Members tell us how much they value variety and we’re updating our prices so that we can continue to invest in more shows and films. As always we will continue to offer a range of ww plans so that people can pick a price that works for their budget.”

Netflix launched in Canada in September 2010, charging $7.99 for unlimited TV shows and movies per month.

 ?? CHRISTOPHE ENA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO ?? Netflix Canada says its basic plan will remain unchanged, but the standard plan will go up by $1 and premium by $2.
CHRISTOPHE ENA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO Netflix Canada says its basic plan will remain unchanged, but the standard plan will go up by $1 and premium by $2.

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