Remember when streaming was supposed to save us from the high prices of cable? When we joyfully cut the cord, we were promised freedom, convenience, and most importantly…affordable entertainment. Fast forward to today, and Netflix just hit us with another price hike. Yes, again. If your wallet’s been groaning under the weight of inflation, Netflix just added another dumbbell to the stack. Are we being betrayed by the very hero we once relied on?
Let’s break it down:
- The standard ad-free plan is now $17.99 per month.
- The premium plan? $24.99 per month.
- Even the ad supported plan has gone up from $6.99 to $7.99. (Not to bad but will it go higher??)
It’s almost like Netflix looked at inflation, laughed, and said, “Hold my subscription fee.”
Streaming: The New Cable
Remember when cable was the villain of the story? Long contracts, endless channels you never watched, and a bill so high it felt like highway robbery? Streaming came to our rescue with promises of simplicity and savings. But now, with Netflix leading the charge, it feels like we’re back where we started, juggling multiple subscriptions that together cost as much as (if not more than) cable did, in some cases.
And here’s the kicker: Netflix says the price hikes are so they can “invest in more programming.” Okay, cool, but does that mean I have to invest in Netflix? Because right now, it feels like I’m buying stock in their shows instead of just watching them.
Is There a Loyalty Discount? Nope.
What about those of us who’ve been loyal since the days of DVDs by mail? Do we get a loyalty discount? Maybe a free month? Nope. We’re just here, clinging to our favorite shows while Netflix keeps draining our accounts.
So, What Now?
Do we keep paying, grumbling as we hit “Next Episode”? Or do we start looking at alternatives? (HBO Max and Disney+, I see you lurking with your slightly more affordable fees.) Maybe it’s time to revisit our streaming priorities. I mean, do I really need all these platforms, or can I survive with just one or two?
The bottom line is this: Netflix, we trusted you. We believed in you. But these price hikes are testing our loyalty. If this keeps up, you might find your audience hitting the cancel button instead of the “Watch Now” button.