Mad at Netflix price hike? Here's why it could be good

Netflix

In its third quarter earnings report, Netflix explained again why it increased the price of its most popular high-definition 2-screen plan by $1, and it could be because you asked for it.

According to a letter to shareholders, the price hike will "improve our ability to acquire and offer high quality content, which is the number one member request."

And it is continuously adding more content, including original exclusives, with its first feature length film Beasts of No Nation set to be released this Friday, while Adam Sandler's film, The Ridiculous Six, will be launching on Netflix this December.

And though the company ended its deal to carry movies from EPIX, which includes blockbusters The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, World War Z, and Transformers: Age of Extinction, it's deal with Disney comes into effect in 2016, and will bring movies from Lucas Arts, Pixar and Marvel to Netflix - which is no small thing.

Then there's also the Brad Pitt-led flick called War Machine and a Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon sequel to be released next year, while it's also added news series' How to Get Away with Murder, Colony, Zoo and Jane the Virgin.

Money, money, money

And because of all this "high quality content," Netflix reported a lower free cash flow total than the second quarter, saying it was due to the "intensity of our investment in originals."

"Investing in originals remains the right strategy for Netflix," the company said, which basically means we'll continue to see more originals on Netflix.

"Exclusive first-window 'only on Netflix' content differentiates our service, allows us to leverage our global platform, reduces our dependence on third parties, and adds positive brand halo."

Despite this investment, however, Netflix did report lower than expected subscription growth in the US this quarter.

Still, it's got nearly 70 million subscribers around the globe, and it'll continue to see more subscribers as it expands into Spain, Italy and Portugal next week, and then South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore in early 2016.

Latest in Netflix
Cristin Milioti in Black Mirror season 7
Netflix launches trailer for Black Mirror season 7, giving us a look at its first-ever sequel episode and an unexpected returning character
A woman holds a phone and looks concerned in Caught
Netflix drops an eerie trailer for a new Harlan Coben show – I just hope Caught is better than the author's previous TV adaptations
Nicole Kidman wears a blue blouse with her arms crossed.
Netflix might be renewing The Perfect Couple and Beauty in Black for season 2, but I don’t get why when it’s canceled shows with poorer ratings
Susan holding her baby in Toxic Town.
Netflix's #3 show has a flawless 100% on Rotten Tomatoes – here are 3 more powerful dramas to watch after Toxic Town
Devil May Cry's Dante has his back to the camera, holding onto a large sword
Netflix's official Devil May Cry trailer features music from my favorite alternative rock band and it's taken me on a serious nostalgia trip
Joe Goldberg and Kate Lockwood sitting at a table and looking at the camera in You season 5.
Netflix releases a killer new trailer for You season 5 but my favorite character is missing from Joe's final chapter
Latest in News
A super close up image of the Google Gemini app in the Play Store
It's official: Google Assistant will be retired for phones this year, with Gemini taking over
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #1147)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #378)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #644)
Three iPhone 16 handsets on show
Apple could launch an iPhone 17 Ultra this year – but we've heard these rumors before
Super Mario Odyssey
ChatGPT is the ultimate gaming tool - here's 4 ways you can use AI to help with your next playthrough