Netflix’s new plan: American streaming service Netflix is offering a new subscription plan for India. Priced at Rs. 349 per month, it will make high definition (HD) content available for mobile phones, laptops, and tablets, but not television screens.
The video streaming service is testing a new “Mobile+” plan at Rs 349 per month, that allows subscribers to watch high definition (HD) content on a single mobile, tablet, or computer screen at a time, reports AndroidPure. This is similar to the existing entry-level monthly plan priced at Rs 499, except for television viewing support.
“We launched the Mobile Plan in India to make it easier for anyone with a smartphone to enjoy Netflix. We want to see if members like the added choice this offer bring. We’ll only roll it out long-term if they do” a Netflix spokesperson told the publication.
The testing of the new tier, first spotted by AndroidPure, comes months after Netflix introduced a mobile-only plan in India that is priced at 199 Indian rupees ($2.70). The mobile-only plan, as the name suggests, restricts users from accessing the service from their computer screen or TV, and lowers the streaming quality to standard definition (480p.).
The mobile-only plan was Netflix’s first anywhere in the world, and it’s fourth in India, in addition to its basic (Rs. 499), standard (Rs. 649), and premium plans (Rs. 799).
Last week, Netflix reported 22.49 million paid memberships in the Asia Pacific region with 2.66 million net additions in the last quarter. Globally, the Reed Hastings-owned service has added 10.1 million paid memberships with revenues having risen by 25% year-on-year in Q2.
India accounts for around 5 million subscribers according to media experts and research reports.
In a recent interview with Mint, Monika Shergill, vice-president, content, Netflix India had admitted the pandemic had caused massive disruption with all production halted in India since mid-March. The company, however, had planned in advance and was ready with a slate of 17 titles, she had added. These included a clutch of Bollywood films for direct-to-digital release (Anurag Basu’s comedy-drama Ludo, Sanjay Dutt’s Torbaaz, mystery thriller Raat Akeli Hai, satirical comedy Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare) and a bunch of web shows such as Mira Nair’s adaptation of A Suitable Boy and Mismatched, a romantic comedy. The Rs. 3,000 crore investment over a period of two years quoted by founder Reed Hastings during his last India visit proves Netflix’s commitment to the country, she had added.
