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Netflix prices are rising again – Why it’s happening and the best budget-friendly alternatives!

The streaming giant increases UK subscription costs while expanding investments in content and live sports.

Netflix raises UK subscription prices

Netflix raises UK subscription prices, leaving many users questioning its value

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Pooja Pillai
By Pooja PillaiFeb 07, 2025
Pooja Pillai

Pooja Pillai is an entertainment journalist with Asian Media Group, where she covers cinema, pop culture, internet trends, and the politics of representation. Her work spans interviews, cultural features, and social commentary across digital platforms.

She began her reporting career as a news anchor, scripting and presenting stories for a regional newsroom. With a background in journalism and media studies, she has since built a body of work exploring how entertainment intersects with social and cultural shifts, particularly through a South Indian lens.

She brings both newsroom rigour and narrative curiosity to her work, and believes the best stories don’t just inform — they reveal what we didn’t know we needed to hear.

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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!

budgetfriendly optionsnetflix subscribers uknew pricespremium planprice hikepricing structurerising pricesnetflix
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Courtney Stodden says she 'trusted the adults' during controversial sketch with 'Seinfeld' star Jason Alexander

More than a decade after appearing in a controversial comedy sketch with Jason Alexander

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Courtney Stodden says she 'trusted the adults' during controversial sketch with 'Seinfeld' star Jason Alexander

Highlights

  • Courtney Stodden says she was unaware a controversial 2012 comedy sketch would involve physical contact.
  • Her comments come after Jason Alexander publicly apologised for the sketch, filmed when she was 17.
  • Stodden says the experience has strengthened her campaign to end child marriage in California.

More than a decade after appearing in a controversial comedy sketch with Jason Alexander, Courtney Stodden has spoken candidly about what she says happened during filming, revealing she "didn't know" the scene would involve physical contact. The television personality's comments follow Alexander's recent public apology for the 2012 sketch, but Stodden says her focus now is on ensuring similar experiences are not repeated.

Stodden reflects on controversial filming experience

The sketch, The Donny Clay Show, was released by Funny or Die in January 2012 when Stodden was 17 and Alexander was 52. In the parody, Alexander played a talk show host who made sexually suggestive remarks and touched Stodden with a mobile phone. The video has since been removed.

Looking back, Stodden said she was not prepared for what would happen during filming.

"I didn't know he was going to be feeling me up on set."

She added that she had trusted the adults around her at the time and only later came to understand the impact of the experience.

"I was very manipulated. Even if I didn't look like a child, or what a 'victim' should look like, there was a child buried under there. I really just trusted the adults around me."

A different perspective years later

Stodden said it was years after filming the sketch that she reassessed what had happened. She recalled watching Pretty Woman for the first time and being struck by a scene involving Alexander's character, saying it prompted her to reflect on similarities with the comedy sketch.

She described the experience as damaging and said her intention in speaking publicly was not to revisit the past, but to help protect minors in the future.

"This isn't about revisiting my past but changing the experiences for minors going forward so they don't have to experience what I had to experience."

Jason Alexander's apology and Stodden's response

Alexander recently issued a public apology, describing the sketch as inappropriate and expressing regret for any harm it caused Stodden.

While she welcomed the apology, Stodden said accountability should extend beyond words. She has encouraged Alexander to support California's proposed AB 1267 legislation, which would establish 18 as the minimum legal age for marriage, or back Unchained at Last, a non-profit campaigning to end child marriage in the United States.

Stodden has been working alongside the organisation to persuade California lawmakers to pass the bill, arguing that legislative change is the most meaningful outcome to emerge from renewed attention on her story.

Alongside her advocacy work, Stodden is preparing her memoir and may take part in a documentary series examining efforts to end child marriage.

Reflecting on how she hopes to be remembered, she said:

"At the end of the day, I don't want to be remembered for what happened to me. I want to be remembered for helping make sure that this doesn't happen again to another child."

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