Netflix About To Make Major Change to Subscriptions
Netflix has announced another price increase for U.S. subscribers, pushing the cost of its cheapest ad‑supported plan up from $7.99 to $8.99 a month, according to an updated support page.
The streaming giant confirmed that the hike applies to all subscription tiers, marking Netflix's second price increase in just over a year. The changes are effective immediately for new subscribers, with existing users set to see the higher prices applied over the coming billing cycles.
Under the updated pricing structure, Netflix's Standard with ads plan now costs $8.99 per month. The tier offers ad‑supported access to most movies and TV shows, though some titles remain unavailable and appear with a lock icon. Subscribers can watch on two supported devices at a time in 1080p (full HD) and download content on up to two devices.
Netflix's Standard plan, which removes advertisements entirely, has risen to $19.99 per month. This tier allows unlimited access to movies, TV shows and games, two simultaneous streams in 1080p, and downloads on two devices. Subscribers can also add one extra non‑household member for an additional monthly fee.
The company's highest‑tier Premium plan now costs $26.99 per month, up from $24.99 previously. Premium subscribers can stream ad‑free content on up to four devices at a time, watch in 4K Ultra HD with HDR, download on up to six devices, and access Netflix spatial audio. The plan also allows users to add up to two extra members who do not live in the same household.
Netflix confirmed that extra‑member add‑ons are priced at $7.99 per month with ads or $9.99 per month without ads, depending on the primary subscriber's plan. Extra members receive their own account and password, though their membership is paid for by the account holder who invites them. The company has discontinued its former Basic plan entirely, meaning all subscriptions now fall under the ad‑supported Standard, ad‑free Standard, or Premium tiers.
The streamer notes that prices may vary for users who access Netflix through a third‑party package and that applicable taxes may be added depending on location.
Netflix continues to post strong financial results. The company reported $45.2 billion in revenue in 2025, up 16 percent year over year, and ended the year with 325 million paid memberships worldwide. Netflix has also projected revenue of between $50.7 billion and $51.7 billion for 2026, driven by a mix of subscriber growth, advertising revenue and pricing changes.
Netflix is not alone in raising prices. Over the past year, nearly every major streaming platform has increased subscription costs. Disney+ and Hulu rolled out price hikes across multiple tiers in late 2025, with ad‑supported Disney+ rising to $11.99 a month and Hulu's ad‑supported plan reaching the same price. HBO Max also increased prices across all its tiers, while Amazon Prime Video introduced ads to its standard offering, unless users paid an additional monthly fee to remove them.
Industry analysts have attributed the increases to content costs, a push toward profitability, and the escalating expense of live sports and original productions.
Still, the latest Netflix hike has sparked visible frustration among subscribers online, with many users questioning whether the platform still represents good value.
“Netflix is raising their prices again. Here's a tip, if you haven't already thought of it yourself: I wait until there's something I want to watch. Pay for a month. Catch up on anything else I missed, then cancel. Netflix does not give you an annual discount so there's no point in maintaining a consistent subscription unless you're a heavy a viewer,” said Minda Honey on Threads.
“Netflix just announced another price increase and this is where I bow out!” added one user called Shawty Lo.
Another longtime subscriber suggested the platform could soon lose its place as a permanent fixture in their household.
“Netflix is the only streaming I have consistently kept. No cancellations. No pauses. No switching accounts. I’ve had the same account since the red envelopes. This price increase may be the breaking point. The last one almost was. Time to cycle Netflix in with other services. I don’t need all of them all the time,” the user added.
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This story was originally published March 27, 2026 at 6:23 AM.