"Netflix could triple their prices and I'd still be happy to pay!"
I used to say that to people all the time.
Unfortunately, it seems Netflix heard me.
I was a very early adopter of the service and used to pay $7.99 per month.
Next month, my Netflix premium plan increases by $3 per month to $23.99.*
That's more than three times what I was paying when I first became a subscriber.
Am I getting more for that increased price?
Sure I am!
I joined Netflix pre-"House of Cards", back when Netflix Canada and Netflix USA had vastly different catalogues and you needed a VPN to get full value from your subscription.
These days, we're getting a lot more original content (Squid Game! Money Heist! Cobra Kai!), not to mention new-to-the-platform special events (Tyson vs Paul! NFL Christmas Games! WWE!).
With the Premium Package, I can watch in 4K (Ultra HD) with Spatial Audio, taking full advantage of my home theatre set-up.
And the recommendation engine works: the more I rate, the more accurately the service suggests shows I will want to watch.
So there's a lot to love!
(And I watch a LOT of film and television; outside of spending time with my kids, it's my primary hobby.)
So is Netflix worth over $300/year?
For me, yes.
For now.
But how high can Netflix prices go before they start to see a significant increase in churn?
I suspect there's a reason this is the last time Netflix will report subscriber numbers.
I suspect that Netflix may rapidly be approaching their price ceiling, and by attempting to get people to move over to its (more profitable) ad-supported service, it may be pushing people to alternative content...
... and perhaps, alternative means of obtaining it.
Can you hear the "ARRRRRSSSS" of the pirates off in the distance?
I can.
* Plus HST. Back when I signed up for Netflix, there wasn't any HST on digital services.
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