Netflix subscribers in the UK will once again pay more as the streaming giant quietly rolls out its latest price hike. The updated pricing structure affects both new and existing users, following similar increases in the US and other countries. While Netflix continues to dominate the streaming market, the rising costs leave many wondering if the service still offers the best value for money. New Netflix Prices in the UK
Standard Plan : Now costs £12.99 per month, an increase of £2.
Premium Plan : Increased by £1, now priced at £18.99 per month.
Ad-Supported Plan : Now costs £5.99, up by £1.
Extra Member Add-on : Increased from £4.99 to £5.99.
Ad-Supported Extra Member : Increased from £3.99 to £4.99.
The changes are already in effect for new users, while existing subscribers will see the higher fees in their next billing cycle. Netflix has assured that customers will receive an email notification before the price increase takes effect.
Why is Netflix Raising Prices Again? Netflix says the price hike is necessary to invest in high-quality content. A spokesperson for the company stated, "As we continue to invest in programming and deliver more value for our members, we will occasionally ask them to pay a little more so that we can reinvest to further improve Netflix."
Netflix’s new pricing structure affects all plans, including the ad-supported tieriStock
A significant portion of Netflix's recent spending has gone into acquiring live sports broadcasting rights, including a $500 million annual deal with WWE and high-profile boxing and NFL events. Additionally, the upcoming seasons of fan-favourite shows like Stranger Things and Squid Game are expected to be major draws for subscribers.
Impact of Netflix’s Pricing Strategy Netflix's pricing strategy has shifted significantly in recent years, especially with the introduction of stricter password-sharing policies. This move has contributed to a rise in paid memberships, but the cost increases may push some users to reconsider their subscriptions.
The company continues to invest in exclusive content like Squid Game and live sportsiStock
The company recently reported an addition of 19 million new subscribers in the last quarter of 2024, bringing its total to over 300 million globally. Despite these numbers, the increased investment in exclusive content and sports has likely driven up operational costs, leading to the latest price adjustment.
Budget-Friendly Streaming Alternatives For those feeling the strain of rising Netflix prices, several more affordable options are available:
Amazon Prime Video(£8.99/month) – Includes a vast content library, original series, and Prime membership benefits.
Disney+(£7.99/month) – Offers exclusive Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar content.
Apple TV+ (£8.99/month)– A growing library of critically acclaimed original shows and movies.
BBC iPlayer (Free) – A free alternative with a range of popular UK programming.
Plex or Pluto TV (Free)– Ad-supported services offering movies, TV shows, and live channels.
With prices rising, many subscribers are exploring budget-friendly streaming alternativesiStock
These alternatives offer on-demand entertainment at lower costs, making them solid choices for budget-conscious viewers.
What’s Next for Netflix? With Netflix continuing to expand its content portfolio and invest in new ventures, price hikes may become a recurring trend. While its extensive catalogue and original programming still make it a top choice for many, rising subscription fees could prompt some users to explore alternative streaming services.
If you're a Netflix subscriber, watch your inbox for an official price increase notice. If the higher costs are a concern, it may be time to reassess your subscription and consider whether Netflix still offers the best value. Are the latest Netflix prices worth it? Let us know your thoughts!
Comedian and The Chase star Paul Sinha says Parkinson’s disease has inspired his comedy
He will perform his new show 2 Sinha Lifetime at the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Sinha previously suffered two heart attacks during the 2022 festival
The comedian uses personal health challenges as material for his stand-up
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition with no known cure
Sinha returns to Edinburgh with health-themed show
Comedian and television personality Paul Sinha has described his Parkinson’s diagnosis as a “comedy goldmine” as he prepares to take a new stand-up show to this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Speaking on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, the 55-year-old The Chase quizzer said he would be tackling the realities of living with Parkinson’s disease head-on in his set at The Stand Comedy Club.
Two heart attacks during previous Edinburgh appearance
Sinha revealed that during his 2022 appearance at the festival, he suffered two heart attacks—one in the first week and another in the third.
“I was in a room with 400 people in and it all got on top of me,” he recalled. The first heart attack occurred while he was shaking hands with Levi Roots, the creator of Reggae Reggae Sauce, in a bar.
“I didn’t want to cause a scene,” he said. “I thought I might as well just get into a cab to take me to the nearest hospital as quick as possible, which is what I did.”
Despite being sent home after the first incident, Sinha later learned both episodes had been small heart attacks. He decided to carry on performing regardless, fearing financial loss if he dropped out. “Looking back on it, that’s not the right thing to do,” he admitted.
Turning Parkinson’s into punchlines
Sinha, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019, said he chooses to confront the condition through humour.
“I do lots of jokes about it. It’s as simple as that. You deal with the cards you’ve been dealt, and if you’ve been given a comedy goldmine, as Parkinson’s is, then you deal with it,” he explained.
He added that, to his knowledge, he may be the only comedian at the Fringe discussing their experience with neurological degeneration.
Understanding Parkinson’s disease
According to the NHS, Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition in which parts of the brain become damaged over time. Key symptoms include tremors, slow movement, and stiff muscles.
The charity Parkinson’s UK notes that the cause of the condition is still not fully understood, though it is thought to involve a combination of genetic, age-related, and environmental factors. The disease results in the death of dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain.
30th anniversary show set for The Stand
Sinha’s new show, 2 Sinha Lifetime, marks his 30th anniversary in comedy. It is scheduled to run at The Stand Comedy Club during the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where he will once again use personal experiences to connect with audiences through humour.
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Big B defends his choice to praise Abhishek openly and others privately
Amitabh Bachchan addressed criticism over not publicly praising Jaya, Aishwarya, and Shweta.
Responded on Facebook, saying he “praises them in his heart… out of respect.”
Called out trolls questioning his fans and social media posts.
Currently seen in Kalki 2898 AD and Vettaiyan alongside Rajinikanth.
Amitabh Bachchan has responded to online comments asking why he often praises son Abhishek Bachchan on social media but not wife Jaya Bachchan, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai, or daughter Shweta. The actor explained that while he chooses to support Abhishek publicly, he honours the women in his family privately, saying he prefers to respect them “in his heart.”
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Bachchan defends Abhishek praise, addresses fan remarks online
The 81-year-old actor, who regularly shares photos and thoughts with fans, recently posted images of himself meeting admirers outside his Mumbai home, Jalsa. Captioned “Yes, I praise Abhishek. So?”, the post sparked comments from users questioning why he doesn’t do the same for Jaya, Aishwarya, or Shweta.
Responding directly, Bachchan wrote, “Yes, I shall praise them in my heart… not publicly… respect for the ladies.” His reply quickly circulated across platforms, with many praising his thoughtful answer. Others pointed to his tendency to engage more often when defending Abhishek, especially around film releases.
Bachchan also shut down a user accusing him of having “paid fans,” bluntly replying, “Prove it! You are small-minded… why don’t you pay and get fans too?” When another person mocked those waiting outside his home as “unemployed,” he replied with characteristic wit: “So give them a job? When they stand at the gate of Jalsa, they are EMPLOYED in love.”
Amitabh Bachchan and family attend the wedding ceremony of Akash AmbaniGetty Images
Actor remains active on social media while juggling film projects
Bachchan has become increasingly interactive online in recent years, often directly responding to criticism and fan feedback. Meanwhile, Abhishek was last seen in Housefull 5, a multi-starrer comedy that released earlier this month. Jaya Bachchan appeared in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani in 2023, while Aishwarya Rai was part of Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan films. Despite the online chatter, Amitabh continues to walk his own path, on-screen and online.
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Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise share a rare moment together at the F1 premiere
• Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise appeared together at the F1 movie premiere in London. • Their first public appearance together since 2001’s America: A Tribute to Heroes. • F1, directed by Joseph Kosinski, stars Pitt as a retired racer mentoring a young driver. • Cruise surprised fans by joining the premiere, sparking speculation of a future collaboration.
Two of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, reunited on the red carpet in London after more than two decades. Cruise made an unexpected appearance at the European premiere of F1, Pitt’s latest film set in the world of Formula One racing.
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Brad Pitt stars in F1, a racing drama with real-world action
Pitt leads F1 as Sonny Hayes, a retired Formula One driver coaxed back into the sport to guide a rising star, played by Damson Idris. Directed by Top Gun: Maverick’s Joseph Kosinski, the film was shot during real F1 race weekends, with Pitt and Idris performing their own driving scenes. Pitt described filming at iconic circuits like Silverstone as “the time of my life.”
The premiere took place in London’s Leicester Square, just days ahead of the film’s theatrical release on 25 June. The cast was joined by producer Jerry Bruckheimer and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. Pitt wore a sage green suit, while Cruise kept it classic in charcoal.
Cruise surprises fans, fuels hopes of another on-screen collaboration
Cruise’s arrival wasn’t officially announced, but a clip shared by Formula One’s Instagram account showed the actor greeting Pitt and Kosinski warmly. The post was captioned, “The moment Tom Cruise surprised us on the #F1TheMovie red carpet!”
The moment was more than just a nostalgic throwback. The two actors, who last worked together in 1994’s Interview with the Vampire, sparked fresh buzz about teaming up again. In a recent interview, Pitt joked he’d be open to it, as long as Cruise’s next film doesn’t involve dangling from planes.
Toronto Metropolitan University will launch a course on Diljit Dosanjh in 2026.
The class will examine his influence on global music, diaspora, and Punjabi culture.
The announcement was made during the Billboard Summit at NXNE in Toronto.
The course will be part of TMU’s Creative School curriculum.
Diljit Dosanjh's rise from Punjab’s music scene to global stages like Coachella is now being studied in classrooms. Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) has confirmed it will offer a course on the singer-actor’s cultural and diasporic impact, starting in late 2026, marking a first-of-its-kind academic recognition for a Punjabi artist in Canada.
Course on Diljit Dosanjh to explore Punjabi music’s global rise
The course, announced at the Billboard Summit in Toronto, will be run by TMU’s Creative School. According to the university, it will explore how Dosanjh’s work intersects with identity, entrepreneurship, and cultural influence across diasporic communities. Dr Charlie Wall-Andrews, who is leading the academic initiative, described Diljit as an ideal subject to study how regional music scenes influence global pop culture.
“This course goes beyond music. It’s about cultural authenticity, migration stories, and how regional sounds are driving creative economies,” Wall-Andrews said in a statement.
The university is positioning the class not just as a tribute, but as a serious academic look at how South Asian artists are shaping mainstream narratives.
Diljit Dosanjh spotted at Coachella where he made history as a Punjabi headlinerGetty Images
Industry leaders say it’s long overdue
Sonali Singh, CEO of Ripple Effects and part of Dosanjh’s team, said the course reflects a deeper understanding of Diljit’s contributions. “His journey speaks to cultural pride and global representation, not just celebrity,” she said.
Backing the course, Billboard Canada President Mo Ghoneim added, “We’ve covered Diljit’s global milestones, from charting on Billboard to Coachella and the Met Gala. It’s only fitting that his story becomes part of academic discourse.”
Fans cheer as Diljit takes the stage at an eventGetty Images
While the announcement comes amid online debate around Dosanjh’s casting choices in Sardaar Ji 3, TMU’s initiative seems focused on legacy rather than controversy. Application details will go live on the university’s website closer to the course start in 2026.
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Suga of BTS Donates 5 Billion Won for Autism Centre Focused on Music Therapy in Seoul
• BTS’ Suga has donated 5 billion won (£3 million / ₹25 crore) to Severance Hospital in Seoul to build a treatment centre for children with autism.
• Named the Min Yoon-gi Centre, the facility is expected to open in September 2025.
• The centre will house the MIND programme: Music, Interaction, Network, Diversity, using music as a tool for therapy and communication.
• Suga was personally involved in developing and piloting the music therapy sessions during his military social service period.
Just days after finishing his 21-month social service, BTS member Suga has made a historic donation of 5 billion won (£3 million) to Severance Hospital to establish a dedicated autism care centre. The new facility will focus on long-term mental health care for children with autism and aims to integrate music into clinical therapy.
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How the MIND programme uses music as a communication tool
The centre will house a unique initiative called MIND, short for Music, Interaction, Network, Diversity. The idea first came up in late 2023 when Suga began working with Professor Cheon Keun-ah, a leading child psychiatrist. Together, they developed the programme to help autistic children communicate and build emotional skills through music.
From March to June 2025, Suga volunteered every weekend at the hospital, helping guide children through group music sessions. He played guitar, led rhythm exercises, and encouraged expression through melody. Doctors reported noticeable improvements in children’s behaviour, verbal response, and social interaction over the sessions.
BTS star Suga builds autism treatment centre in Korea with personal 5 billion won donationGetty Images
A personal mission for mental health advocacy
Suga’s interest in mental health support for youth has been a recurring theme throughout his career. However, this initiative marks his most hands-on contribution yet. He not only funded the centre but participated in shaping its approach and testing its impact.
“Music became a bridge that helped these kids express feelings they couldn’t in words,” he shared. “It’s been a privilege to be part of this journey, and I’ll continue supporting them in any way I can.”
BTS Suga donates nearly £3 million to launch autism centre with music-based therapy in SeoulGetty Images
The Min Yoon-gi Centre will open at Severance’s Sinchon branch in September. Beyond therapy, it will also serve as a research hub for autism-related treatments and train future specialists in music-based interventions.
With this effort, Suga sets a precedent for how artists can meaningfully contribute to mental health advocacy, bringing together art, empathy, and action.
Big B defends his choice to praise Abhishek openly and others privately
Amitabh Bachchan reveals why he praises Abhishek publicly but not Jaya or Aishwarya
Quick highlights:
Amitabh Bachchan has responded to online comments asking why he often praises son Abhishek Bachchan on social media but not wife Jaya Bachchan, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai, or daughter Shweta. The actor explained that while he chooses to support Abhishek publicly, he honours the women in his family privately, saying he prefers to respect them “in his heart.”
Bachchan defends Abhishek praise, addresses fan remarks online
The 81-year-old actor, who regularly shares photos and thoughts with fans, recently posted images of himself meeting admirers outside his Mumbai home, Jalsa. Captioned “Yes, I praise Abhishek. So?”, the post sparked comments from users questioning why he doesn’t do the same for Jaya, Aishwarya, or Shweta.
Responding directly, Bachchan wrote, “Yes, I shall praise them in my heart… not publicly… respect for the ladies.” His reply quickly circulated across platforms, with many praising his thoughtful answer. Others pointed to his tendency to engage more often when defending Abhishek, especially around film releases.
Bachchan also shut down a user accusing him of having “paid fans,” bluntly replying, “Prove it! You are small-minded… why don’t you pay and get fans too?” When another person mocked those waiting outside his home as “unemployed,” he replied with characteristic wit: “So give them a job? When they stand at the gate of Jalsa, they are EMPLOYED in love.”
Actor remains active on social media while juggling film projects
Bachchan has become increasingly interactive online in recent years, often directly responding to criticism and fan feedback. Meanwhile, Abhishek was last seen in Housefull 5, a multi-starrer comedy that released earlier this month. Jaya Bachchan appeared in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani in 2023, while Aishwarya Rai was part of Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan films. Despite the online chatter, Amitabh continues to walk his own path, on-screen and online.