In the aftermath of its crackdown on password sharing, Netflix has reported a surge of over 13 million new subscribers during the three months leading to the end of December. This growth, the highest for any quarter since 2020, is expected to prompt the streaming giant to consider fresh price increases.
Netflix implemented a policy last year that disallowed users from sharing passwords with individuals residing outside the same household. Co-CEO Greg Peters noted that the company had temporarily halted price increases during the rollout of this paid sharing policy. With the completion of this transition, Netflix is now set to resume its standard approach, potentially signaling upcoming price adjustments.
Many of the new subscribers have opted for Netflix’s cheapest plan, priced at £4.99 per month and featuring advertisements. This plan accounts for 40% of new sign-ups in the 12 nations where the ad-supported offering is available, including the UK and the US. In addition to subscriber growth, Netflix is exploring new avenues to attract audiences, recently securing a 10-year, £3.9 billion deal for WWE Raw, one of pro-wrestling’s popular weekly shows.
The streaming platform highlighted its diverse content slate, including the documentary series on David Beckham and Adam Sandler’s “Leo.” Netflix received 18 Oscar nominations, including a Best Picture nomination for “Maestro.” As of the end of 2023, Netflix boasts over 260 million global subscribers, marking an annual increase of nearly 30 million. The company reported revenue exceeding $33.7 billion, reflecting a 6% increase from 2022, with profits reaching $5.4 billion compared to $4.49 billion in the previous year.