Why Netflix is hiking up prices in Australia

Published

1 year ago

November 11, 2021

Anthony Lucas

If you’re an Aussie that loves Netflix, expect to pay more for your streaming

Australian Netflix users will be forced to pay more, following a recent price hike.

From Thursday, the standard plan will go up by a dollar while the premium plan will jump $3.

New members who sign up from Thursday will be the first to fork out more, while the update to subscription costs will roll out to existing members in the coming weeks.

The exact timing of the price change will depend on the subscriber’s billing cycle, with all members expected to be on the updated schedule over “the next few months”.

Netflix’s basic plan will remain at its current price of $10.99.

Investing in more content

In a statement, a spokesperson for Netflix stated the rise in subscription prices will be used to invest in more content.

“We know Australians have never had more choices when it comes to entertainment, and we’re more committed than ever to delivering an experience that exceeds their expectations,”
the spokesperson said.”

The price for the standard plan changes from $15.99 a month to $16.99 a month.

The price for the premium plan will go up from $19.99 to $22.99 a month.

“Members tell us how much they value the breadth and variety of catalogue, and we’re updating our prices so that we can continue to invest in more shows and films.”

When did Netflix last jack up prices?

The last time Netflix changed subscription prices in Australia was in September last year – when the prices for the platform’s basic and standard plans were raised.

The premium plan has not increased in price for Australian subscribers in two years.

Netflix offers tiered subscription services that restrict — or enhance — the number of screens and devices used at the one time.

Ed Sheeran admits he “didn’t want to live anymore” after death of friends

Published

4 days ago

March 22, 2023

ticker NEWS

The 32-year-old has been dealing with depression in the past, and felt the feelings resurface last year

Ed Sheeran has opened up during a new interview with Rolling Stone.

The hugely-popular singer-songwriter says he “didn’t want to live any more” after the deaths of his friends SBTV founder Jamal Edwards and cricketer Shane Warne.

Edwards gave Sheeran his first big break and died suddenly from a heart attack in after taking cocaine and drinking alcohol.

Sheeran believes the tragedy convinced him to kick a drug habit he himself had developed in his 20s.

Sheeran says he has been dealing with depression “throughout [his] life” and felt the feelings resurface last year.

A parent to two young girls, Sheeran was worried his thoughts were “selfish” and as a father he “felt really embarrassed about it”.

The 32-year-old credits his wife with encouraging him to seek help.

“The help isn’t a button that is pressed, where you’re automatically OK. It is something that will always be there and just has to be managed.”

Fame

‘Winnie The Pooh’ horror film to not be shown in Hong Kong or Macau

Published

4 days ago

March 22, 2023

ticker NEWS

Many believe it relates to a string of protests against Xi Jinping

The new ‘Winnie the Pooh’ horror film has officially hit cinemas – but if you live in Hong Kong or Macau, sorry, unfortunately you won’t get a chance to see it.

Cinemas in these regions have refused to show the movie and, while the exact reason remains unclear, many believe it relates to a string of protests against Xi Jinping.

References to the original, family-friendly version of Winnie the Pooh have been used to protest against the Chinese president in recent years.

Censors in China have since clamped down on references to AA Milne’s character, and the 2018 Christopher Robin film was banned in the country.

Hong Kong authorities have denied the film had been censored, but the director told Reuters: “The cinemas agreed to show it, then all independently came to the same decision overnight. It [isn’t] a coincidence.”

The film has been shown in over 4,000 cinemas worldwide.

But perhaps it’s for the best it was banned in Hong Kong and Macau – the horror flick has received a score of just four per cent on film rating site Rotten Tomatoes.

It depicts Pooh bear, known for being kind and honest, as a vengeful axe wielding half-man, half-bear.

Fame

Three men plead guilty to rapper XXXTentacion death

Published

5 days ago

March 21, 2023

ticker NEWS

The rapper was shot and killed in Florida in June 2018

The three men accused of killing 20-year-old rapper XXXTentacion during a 2018 ambush robbery have been found guilty.

A Florida jury convicted Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams and Trayvon Newsome on Monday after deliberating for more than a week.

All three were charged with first-degree murder in connection to the death of the controversial rapper.

Another man, Robert Allen, pleaded guilty last year to second-degree murder.

The three face a possible sentence of life behind bars.

The rapper was shot and killed in Florida in June 2018 while visiting a motorcycle shop.

He was leaving when he was approached by two armed masked men who “demanded property” from him.

At least one of the men shot him during a 45-second struggle and the suspects then grabbed a bag full of $50,000 in cash that the rapper had just withdrawn.