Netflix increases prices in the US – will streaming soon be more expensive in Germany?

Global expansion does not come for free for Netflix customers. The streaming service has ambitious plans. In 2021, the company wanted to spend 17 billion US dollars (equivalent to almost 15 billion euros) on new films and series. And this money has to come in somehow. This is now being felt by Netflix users in North America. For them, the prices for the monthly subscription increase at the beginning of the year. Do customers in Germany also have to expect higher costs in the near future? (Also read: These are the top 30 Netflix series according to critics)

Netflix is ​​raising prices : This is the reason

The Reuters news agency was the first to report the price increase at Netflix in North America. It therefore comes into effect immediately for new customers. According to the report, anyone who has already taken out a subscription can expect to be charged a higher amount each month in the coming weeks. According to Reuters, the basic subscription, which only allows one user, now costs $9.99 (about €8.74), which is a dollar more expensive. The standard subscription with two simultaneous streaming options increased from $13.99 to $15.49. With the premium subscription, which allows up to four streams, Netflix added two dollars and now charges $19.99 (17.50 euros). Prices for subscribers in Canada have also increased.

Netflix’s standard subscription is now above the prices charged for other leading streaming services such as HBO Max or Disney+, as reported by Reuters. But it is precisely the increasing competition that is behind the price increase. “We know people have more choices than ever when it comes to entertainment and we want to offer our members an even better experience,” a Netflix spokesman said. With the price update, the range of programs should be expanded. (Also interesting: K-Drama – 10 Netflix series from South Korea that are really worth it)

Netflix is ​​getting more expensive: So far no information for Germany

The step has already paid off for the company, which wants to score points with its own productions in 2022. Immediately after the report was published, Netflix’s stock price rose 3% in the US. Unless hordes of customers cancel their subscriptions or interested parties are deterred, the price increase is very lucrative. According to the information, Netflix achieves almost half of its global sales in North America.

It remains unclear whether Netflix customers in Germany will also have to adjust to higher prices. The subscription prices in this country were last raised in spring 2021. “In the past few years, Netflix has increased its prices about every two years,” reports “Golem.de”. However, the subscriptions in the USA had only become more expensive in October 2020.