Netflix revises US subscription rates, India prices remain unchanged
Washington: Streaming platform Netflix has raised subscription prices across all its plans in the United States and select international markets, while retaining existing pricing in India.
According to Reuters, the new rates are now shown on the company's website, with the ad-supported subscription is priced at $8.99 per month. This is an increase from $7.99. The standard plan has been hiked by $2 to $19.99 per month. The premium plan will now cost $26.99, up from $24.99 before. The fee for adding additional members has also been reduced to $7.99 for ad-supported accounts and $9.99 for ad-free subscriptions.
The rates are raised due to the company's broadening plan of its programming, which is slated to include formats such as live sporting events and video podcasts. The platform, which has more than 325 million subscribers globally, had discontinued its lowest-priced ad-free “Basic” plan in 2023, narrowing its offerings to standard with ads, standard without ads and premium tiers.
Analysts at TD Cowen estimate the changes could raise the company’s average revenue per user in the US-Canada region by around 6 per cent year-on-year in 2026, while for the October-December quarter, Netflix reported revenue of $12.1 billion, marginally exceeding analysts’ expectations.
Earlier this year, the company stepped back from bidding for certain streaming and studio assets of Warner Bros., clearing the way for Paramount Skydance to acquire the Hollywood studio in a deal valued at $110 billion.
The recent price adjustments have been implemented in the United States and select markets including Portugal, Argentina and Canada. In India, however, subscription charges remain unchanged.
Netflix offers monthly plans in India starting at ₹149 for mobile, ₹199 for basic, ₹499 for standard, and ₹649 for premium.
The standard plan enables viewing on two devices simultaneously with 1080p resolution and allows downloads on two supported devices. The premium plan permits streaming on up to four devices at the same time, supports 4K (Ultra HD) and HDR quality, enables downloads on six devices and includes spatial audio support.
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Punjab CM Mann meets President Murmu, seeks cancellation of membership of 6 RS members
Chandigarh (PTI): Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday met President Droupadi Murmu, demanding the termination of the membership of six Rajya Sabha MPs from Punjab who defected to the BJP and also pressed for the introduction of a constitutional provision allowing for the recall of members.
Accompanied by party MLAs and ministers, Mann visited Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi.
This meeting followed a significant setback for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on April 24, when seven of its 10 Rajya Sabha MPs -- Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Harbhajan Singh, Rajendra Gupta, Vikramjit Sahney and Swati Maliwal -- quit and merged with the BJP, alleging that the party had strayed from its principles, values and core morals. Six of the seven MPs who left AAP hailed from Punjab.
After he met with the President, Mann addressed the media here, describing the departure of the seven MPs as a "murder" of the Constitution. He stated, "Seven MPs merging with another party is completely unconstitutional. I spoke to Rashtrapati ji in detail."
Mann pointed out that he told the President that the BJP holds only two MLA seats (in Punjab), yet now has six MPs in the Rajya Sabha. He questioned, "How can this be possible? Isn't it a mockery of the Constitution?
"If they are such revolutionaries at heart, then they should have resigned from their six seats. The AAP could have sent someone else," Mann said, taking a swipe at them.
He emphasised the need for a recall provision in the Constitution, referencing MP Raghav Chadha's previous demands for such a measure when members fail to meet public expectations.
"Have you lived up to the expectations of the people?" Mann challenged the MPs during his statement.
Mann also presented a letter to the President, signed by all AAP MLAs. He differentiated between the terms 'elected' and 'selected,' stating, "They were 'selected.' Therefore, their membership should be cancelled."
The President assured Mann that she would consult constitutional experts before responding.
Earlier in the day, Mann, along with party MLAs, departed for Delhi from Chandigarh.
Speaking to reporters in Chandigarh, Mann affirmed that all AAP MLAs stand united with the party. "Only I have been given time for the meeting," Mann said.
"The President is the guardian of the Constitution. She is the constitutional head of the country," he added.
Later in a post on X in Hindi, Mann said, "Our struggle to protect Punjab's rights and interests continues. Today, along with all AAP MLAs, I have left to discuss Punjab's burning issues and present the state's strong voice before the President.
As your public servant, our government remains fully committed to Punjab's prosperity and the safeguarding of the rights of every section of society."
The MLAs and ministers gathered at the chief minister's residence in the morning before heading to Delhi, carrying placards that read 'Punjab Mann De Naal' and 'Punjab's Traitors.'
The legislators left for Delhi in buses.
Mann had previously sought an appointment with the President to meet with party MLAs and demand the "recall" of the Rajya Sabha MPs who defected to the BJP. However, only Mann was given a time slot for the meeting.
