Streaming services are hiking prices for every little reason the companies can find. A new report suggests that Netflix could be hiking its prices for ad-free subscribers sometime after the SAG-AFTRA strike. Currently, actors are negotiating to find a deal, like writers who recently earned a deal.
Netflix Prices Once Again Set to Rise After SAG-AFTRA Strike
No date is specified in the report from the Wall Street Journal as to when we should expect the Netflix prices to go up following the actors’ strike or by how much. It is expected to occur a few months after the strike ends, which could be soon as SAG will return to the table for negotiations on Wednesday (October 4).
Currently, the plans that would be affected if this happens would be Standard and Premium. Standard offers two supported devices to watch and download movies or shows, full HD, and able to add one additional member for $15.49 a month, with $7.99 a month for extra slots. Premium ups the supported devices to four, 4K resolution, downloads on six devices, spatial audio, and adding two extra members for $19.99. The price is the same for adding extra members.
In recent years, Netflix has been making plenty of shifts in its operations beyond hiking its prices. It axed its cheapest ad-free plan earlier this year for Canada, the U.S., and the U.K. The roots of the company in DVDs have recently ended. Password sharing has been cracked down on, inspiring other streamers like Disney Plus to join the practice. Meanwhile, it is currently pushing more video games, like making its hit shows into games.
WGA recently made its deal, securing residuals, AI protections, and more. SAG-AFTRA has been asking studios for a few different protections, but the heart of it is the same: financial stability, benefits, and protections against AI replacing creators. Streaming services have been a major antagonist, largely due to the lack of residuals that make it possible to make a living in the TV and film industry.
