Japan latest to see Netflix price increase

Netflix announced a price hike for customers in Japan.

On Thursday, the streaming giant said that it would increase the price of its standard two-stream subscription to 1,490 yen (€11.78), an increase of 170 yen (€1.34) per month. The basic plan, which restricts viewing to one screen and in SD, has increased from 880 yen (€6.96) to 990 yen (€7.83). Netflix said that the premium UHD plan will remain the same.

By comparison, Hulu – which offers arguably a more robust content offering including live channels and international sports – is offered for 1,026 yen (€8.12), while Disney+ costs 700 yen (€5.54) per month. 

As with previous price increases in the UK and US, Netflix has said that the hiked cost is to offset its ever-increasing content spend. 

Netflix enjoyed a dominant 2020 in which the streamer surpassed 200 million global subscribers. The company has pledged to release at least 70 new films this year, with big-budget movies starring the likes of Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot and Leonardo DiCaprio.