Earlier this week, Netflix announced price increases
Earlier this week, Netflix announced price increases
The streamer, which now has over $300 million subscribers, will increase prices on all its U.S. plans.
Earnings report season is underway, and Netflix is getting things started with a massive subscriber jump— and what better way to celebrate than by increasing its streaming plan prices? Find out the details of the streamer’s most recent earnings report, learn about the price jumps and more.
In watch recommendations, a feel-good comedy series returned for its final season this week. Plus, the stage is set for NFL’s big weekend: it’s Commanders versus Eagles and Bills versus Chiefs in this Sunday’s NFC and AFC Championship games!
This Week’s Biggest Streaming News:
Netflix tops 300 million subscribers, increases streaming plan prices
We’re only a month into the new year, but Netflix has already exceeded some major goals. During its earnings call on Tuesday, Jan. 21, the streamer announced it had crossed the 300 million subscribers mark, reaching 301.63 million subscribers during the final quarter of 2024, a jump of 18.91 million subscribers.
The increase far surpassed Wall Street growth predictions, which expected the streamer to pick up 8.2 million customers during the quarter. The growth was also relatively even across all major regions in the world. The biggest contributor was the service's live events, including November’s live boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, which according to Netflix attracted a global audience of 108 million viewers (some of whom are suing the streamer), and the streamer’s first-ever NFL streams (and its Beyoncé halftime show).
Following its earnings report, it was as good enough time as any for Netflix to also finally announce long-planned rate hikes. Netflix execs have claimed on multiple occasions they have been trying to postpone the plan price increases until their content slate justified it. With live events, including the recent addition of WWE’s “Raw,” and the return of its biggest series, including “Stranger Things,” “Squid Game,” “Wednesday,” and more, 2025 is the right time for the company.
The streamer will increase prices on all of its U.S. plans between $1 to $2.50 per month. Netflix becomes the first streaming service to raise its prices in 2025, but the increase, which now puts the platform’s Standard with Ads plan at $8 per month, is the same current price as Paramount+ and Peacock’s equivalent tier, matching industry standards.
While its ad-supported plan is still among the cheapest on the market, there are still streamers offering ad-free streaming plans at a less expensive price if it no longer fits your budget. Check out our full list here!
Catch up on our articles related to Netflix earnings + price increases:
- Netflix adds nearly 19M subs in Q4 2024 to hit 300M globally
- Netflix announces price hikes for all US streaming plans
- Live sports still ‘challenging’ for Netflix, despite NFL and WWE
- These ad-free streaming plans are all cheaper than Netflix
- Which streaming services are likely to increase prices in 2025?
Netflix
Netflix is a leading subscription-based video streaming service that offers on-demand access to an extensive library of over 3,000 movies, 2,000+ TV shows, and a growing collection of acclaimed Netflix Originals. Renowned for its ability to produce groundbreaking content, Netflix has become a cultural powerhouse with hit originals like “Stranger Things,” “Wednesday,” “Squid Game,” “The Crown,” “Tiger King,” “Bridgerton,” “The Witcher,” and “Black Mirror.”
What to catch up on this weekend: Eagles versus Commanders, Bills versus Chiefs: NFL’s AFC Championship and NFC Championships
There are just two weeks until Super Bowl LIX, and the stage is set for the NFL AFC and NFC Championship games. This Sunday, Jan. 26, get ready as football’s final four teams face each other to see who will battle it out in the Big Easy for this year’s title.
First up, at 3 p.m. ET, the NFC No. 2 seed Philadelphia Eagles welcome the No. 6 Washington Commanders after beating the Los Angeles Rams on home soil last week. The longtime NFC East rivals faced off twice during the regular season and split the two games, but the Eagles won their Nov. 14 home game 26–18. Kickoff from Lincoln Financial Field is set for 3 p.m. ET., and the game will be broadcast on Fox.
Game preview: Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Then, in the AFC, it’s Allen versus Mahomes as, after their slippery victory over the Baltimore Ravens to take the division title last Sunday, the underdog No. 2 Buffalo Bills head to Missouri to take on the No. 1 seed Kansas City Chiefs, hoping to make it a three-peat. The two teams have had a rocky history in recent years, especially after the Bills lost to the Chiefs in 2020’s AFC Championship. But the Bills are one of only two teams to beat the Chiefs in this year’s regular season, handing the team their first loss back on Nov. 17. Kickoff at the Chief’s Arrowhead Stadium is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. CT on CBS.
Game preview: Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes face off for Super Bowl bid
The AFC will air live on CBS, and you’ll be able to stream it live with any Paramount+ plan. However, if you’re hoping to watch both championship games, as well as next month’s Super Bowl, you’ll need to get a live TV streamer, such as DIRECTV or Sling. Our pick is Hulu + Live TV, which carries both CBS and Fox and offers a three-day free trial, but check out our full watch guide for more options!
Hulu Live TV
Hulu Live TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 70 channels for $82.99/month. Hulu + Live TV base plan includes local channels, 33 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs). Subscribers get free access to Disney+ and ESPN+ at no extra charge.
What to catch up on this weekend: ‘Harlem’ returns for its final season
It’s bittersweet news, but Prime Video’s feel-good comedy series “Harlem” is back and getting ready for the not-so-long goodbye.
It’s the final season of the Tracy Oliver-created series, which has been a comforting love letter to friendship, womanhood, and Blackness over its first two seasons. “Harlem” follows four stylish and ambitious female friends—Camille, Quinn, Angie, and Tye—who met while enrolled in college at New York University. Now in their 30s and living in Harlem, they’re balancing love, life, and their careers as working professionals.
The final season, which premiered this Thursday, Jan. 23, will follow the core four “on the precipice of change like never before,” all starting on a new chapter as they tackle motherhood, singlehood, sisterhood, career paths, and complicated families. In the first two episodes alone, Tye and Camille receive big news; Camille, Quinn, and Tye learn something new about an old friend; and the girls find themselves in the ER and learn a shocking diagnosis.
Meagan Good, Grace Byers, Shoniqua Shandai, and Jerrie Johnson lead the series with Tyler Lepley Season 3 newcomers Kofi Siriboe, Logan Browning, Robin Givens, and Gail Bean.
The first two episodes of “Harlem” Season 3 are available to stream now on Prime Video. Two new episodes will be released weekly on Thursdays until the series finale.
Watch the trailer for ‘Harlem’ Season 3 below:
Harlem
Four stylish and ambitious best girlfriends in Harlem, New York City: a rising star professor struggling to make space for her love life; a savvy tech entrepreneur always dating someone new; a no-filter singer; and a hopeless romantic fashion designer. Together, they level up into the next phase of their careers, relationships, and big city dreams.