Netflix raises prices: All in the name of growth

Netflix has increased the prices of its streaming subscriptions in the USA after gaining almost 20 million new subscribers in the fourth quarter. The ad-supported plan rises to USD 7.99, while the standard subscription now costs USD 17.99, an increase of USD 2.50. The premium offering climbs to USD 24.99, with the cost for additional members rising to USD 8.99. Prices have also been adjusted in Canada, Portugal, and Argentina. During the earnings call, Co-CEO Ted Sarandos highlighted the impressive pipeline of content expected in 2025. Planned projects include sequels and the return of popular series like 'Stranger Things' and 'You'. Investors expressed little surprise at the price increases, which seemed overdue given a successful 2024. Analyst Geetha Ranganathan from Bloomberg Intelligence described it as a long-anticipated price adjustment. Netflix reaffirms its commitment to sports content. The broadcast of the boxing match 'Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson' reached a record with over 108 million viewers. Equally successful were NFL games during Christmas, attracting an average of 30 million viewers. The streaming service showed interest in further sports broadcasts while the user base continues to spend two hours daily on the platform.