Video streaming service Netflix is increasing its prices in the United States amidst increasing competition in the field. This is coming barely a month after Netflix reduced prices in its India operations. Netflix remains the dominant force in the highly competitive video streaming market and the pandemic had seen a surge in demand for streaming services like Netflix, HBO Max, Disney Plus, among others. The marginal increase in the various paid plans is an indication of a growing trend over the years.

Specifically, a $1 increase means that subscribers in the US will pay $9.99 for the basic plan, while the HD plan chalked up an additional $1.50 at the new price of $15.49. The 4K plan which is the premium Netflix offering added $2 to its current price of $19.99. For existing subscribers, there is a period of grace within which they will be reminded of the new rates and subsequently charged. Netflix says it will send emails to existing subscribers when it is 30 days to the new measure. Netflix Canada is also affected by the new price regime.

On the other hand, Netflix India had seen a decline in its prices across all packages. The reductions from the basic to the premium package were between Rs. 50 (~$1) and Rs. 200 (~$3). The new prices became effective on December 14 and was seen as a promo offer for the New Year. Netflix monthly fees are however slightly higher than that of its competitors in the market like Amazon Prime and Disney+Hotstar.

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Subscribing to Netflix India will now cost you a bit less as the streaming service looks to expand its user base amid rising competition from rivals Hotstar and Amazon Prime – both of which are priced a tad lower.

Most of the plans have gotten a price cut of Rs 50 per month but the basic plan now costs Rs 199 per month instead of Rs 499 per month, which is a huge price cut of Rs 200. As for others, the popular plan has been reduced to Rs 149/month from Rs 199/month, the standard plan has been reduced to Rs 499/month from Rs 649/month, and finally, the premium plan stands at Rs 649/month, down from Rs 799/month.

The new plans have been dubbed as ‘Happy New Prices’ by Netflix India will be effective from December 14th, or today.

However, competitors like Amazon Prime and Disney+Hotstar continue to cost a little less in the country. While the former’s monthly plan now starts at Rs 179 per month, the latter’s subscription costs Rs 1499 yearly for premium services.

If you are scratching your head about Amazon Prime’s Rs 179 fee when it earlier cost Rs 129 per month, then you will be surprised to know that the streaming service has gotten a price hike at the same time Netflix has reduced its prices.

An Amazon spokesperson had said, “The price of Prime memberships in IN (India) is being revised from Rs 999 to Rs 1,499 (annual plan), Rs 329 to Rs 459 (3-month plan), and Rs 129 to Rs 179 (monthly plan).”

However, customers were still given a chance to pay the old prices for their Amazon Prime subscription if they extended their plan or joined it on or before December 13th, 11:59 pm. If you weren’t able to avail the limited time offer, then well, you will be subject to the updated rates from now.

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The post Netflix India slashes monthly plan prices while Amazon Prime gets nearly 50% hike appeared first on Gizmochina.