Netflix cuts subscription prices in India. What are the new rates?
OTT giant Netflix brings down its subscription rates with the new rates applicable from today 12 AM, December 14. But why the company did so?
OTT Platform Netflix has decided to cut down its subscription rates in order to widen its customer base in the Indian market. The OTT giant, on Monday, announced its decision to slash the monthly subscription plan to Rs 149/month from Rs 199/month for its cheapest plan. The basic plan, which allows one user to stream on TV and PC along with mobile and tablet, will now cost Rs 199/month from Rs 499/month.
It's happening! Everybody stay calm! ?In case you missed it, you can now watch Netflix on any device at #HappyNewPrices. pic.twitter.com/My772r9ZIJ
— Netflix India (@NetflixIndia) December 14, 2021
The standard plan that streams content at 1080p will now cost Rs 499/month from Rs 649 a month. With the standard plan, two devices can stream at the same time. The Premium plan that allows four devices to stream at Ultra HD (4K), High Resolution Definition will now cost Rs 649/ month Rs 799/month.
| SUBSCRIPTION | NETFLIX | AMAZON PRIME | DISNEY + HOTSTAR | ZEE5 | SONY LIV | ALT BALAJI |
| MONTHLY | MOBILE-149 BASIC-199 STANDARD-499 PREMIUM- 649 | MOBILE-179 | 100/2 MONTHS (RS. 50/MONTH) | |||
| HALF YEARLY | 199 | |||||
| QUARTERLY | 459 | 299 | ||||
| ANNUALLY | 1499 | MOBILE-499 SUPER-899 PREMIUM-1499 | SPECIAL-399 PREMIUM-999 WWE-299 | 300 |
WHY DID NETFLIX SLASH ITS RATES?
Monika Shergill, Vice-President, Content, Netflix India, told Economic Times, "Over the last three weeks, we have been rolling out big titles. And as per the Netflix calendar, we will have big titles across series and films coming out regularly. And it is the kind of content that is programmed for a very large audience. And now that content is ready for this large audience, it was just the right time [to reduce the subscription prices]."
Netflix has several big titles lined up for release in India, and the slashing of subscription prices is in tune with them.
AMAZON PRIME HIKES SUBSCRIPTION CHARGES
While Netflix slashed its charges on Monday, Amazon Prime has hiked its subscription charges by 50 per cent. But point to remember here is that an Amazon Prime subscription also has added benefits on the Amazon shopping platform. The new Amazon Prime subscription rates, which were confirmed earlier this year, will now be applicable from December 14, 12 am.
As per the changes which will be effective from December 14, monthly subscription will now cost Rs 179/month from Rs 129/month. The quarterly subscription plan would now be available at Rs 459/ month from Rs 329/month, an increase of 39 per cent. The annual subscription will now be at Rs 1499/month from Rs 999/month, an increase of 50 per cent.
The new rates will not affect the existing customers. They will continue to enjoy the services till the end of their plan.
DISNEY+HOTSTAR REMAINS UNCHANGED
The Disney+Hotstar subscription plans begin at Rs 499/year for the mobile plan; the super plan is priced at Rs 899/year; and the Premium plan is Rs 1,499/year.