What you need to know

• Some Netflix users are now being asked to add a unique email address to each Netflix profile instead of relying on the account owner's email.
• Individual emails enable separate sign-in verification, account recovery, and profile management while preserving personalized recommendations.
• While the feature adds convenience, some believe it's laying the groundwork for even tighter control over shared accounts in the future.

Netflix is still tinkering with the streaming guidelines. If you thought the 2023 password-sharing crackdown was the ultimate challenge, prepare for a new twist: the company is now apparently testing a mandatory change that turns your shared household account into a bundle of individual logins.

According to several Reddit posts, Netflix is starting to push some users to add a unique email address to each Netflix profile, instead of just using the primary account’s email (via Android Authority). Typically, one email address and one password control the account, while up to five profiles let different family members keep separate watchlists, recommendations, and viewing histories. If a person needs a verification code or wants to recover access, it all goes through the account owner’s inbox.

That seems to be changing now, as some subscribers are being prompted to add an email address directly to their profile. The message says doing so will give you “easier sign-in access,” account recovery options, personalized recommendations, and other features to come.

Each profile gets more independence

When an email is linked, each profile can receive its sign-in verification codes and access recovery information without needing to depend on the primary account holder. The change also provides each profile a little more freedom. You can control some profile settings for individual users but still get personalized recommendations based on viewing history. However, not everyone believes that the change is solely for convenience.

The update comes just a few years after Netflix launched its password-sharing crackdown and the idea of a Netflix Household, which restricts account access to people living under the same roof but provides paid Extra Member slots in supported markets. Netflix has since rolled out several tools designed to simplify user splitting, such as Profile Transfer, which lets subscribers move their viewing history, recommendations, saved games, and watchlists to a separate account when they leave a shared subscription.

That history has some users thinking that profile-specific email addresses could eventually make it easier for Netflix to distinguish between individual users or move them into separate accounts down the road.

Currently, the update appears to be slowly rolling out, rather than being deployed to everyone at once. If it ever gets to your account, adding an email to your profile may make it easier to sign in, especially in larger households. But considering Netflix’s recent history of tightening account controls, it’s worth monitoring if this is just another convenience feature or the beginning of the next evolution of account management for the company.

What you need to know

• Netflix announced that it plans to introduce even more ads on its service, such as in its Clips feed and podcasts.
• During its Upfront event, it stated that its ads now reach "250M global monthly active users," but it looks like it wants to put the pedal to the metal.
• Netflix's Q4 2025 saw a notably 16% YoY increase, but it also reported a major revenue increase, thanks to ads; however, price hikes still happened in March.

Netflix highlighted what's coming up from the service this week, and to the dismay of viewers, more ads are on the way.

A post by The Verge put a spotlight on what Netflix discussed during its Upfront event, stating that the service is preparing to roll out even more ads. The streaming platform announced that it will bring ads to users in its "Clips" feed, while also rolling out a selection for its podcasts. On a related note, Netflix credited its use of AI as a driving force behind making advertising easier for companies.

The company mentioned using AI to help refine how its vertical ads look (likely in preparation for its Clips feed addition) and "pause ads."

On the flip side, Netflix paraded around how well its ads have performed as of late. According to its post, its ads now reach "250M global monthly active viewers. These viewers are deeply engaged: over 80% of ads members are actively watching every week." Of course, this comes off the back of its ad-supported tier. Netflix says that this positive performance has led it to roll out this ad tier to 15 more countries worldwide, including Colombia, Ireland, Peru, Norway, and the Philippines.

Where things get interesting is when you factor in just how well Netflix performed at the end of 2025.

Major revenue, but price hikes still happened

Netflix achieved a major, record-breaking Q4 in 2025, reporting a 16% YoY growth. The company's ads were briefly discussed, with a comment reading, "Scaling our ads business represents an opportunity to tap into significant new revenue and profit pools over the medium to longer term." However, as The Verge points out, Netflix posted $1.5 billion in earned revenue off ads alone at the end of 2025.

Now, we're preparing for more. This narrative gets even more curious when you remember (how could we forget?) that it just raised prices. At the end of March, the Standard with Ads plan went up from $7.99 to $8.99. Elsewhere, the Standard Ad-Free plan jumped $2 to $19.99, while the Premium (4K, Spatial Audio) leapt by $2, as well to $26.99. Netflix is already starting to feel a bit overpriced, leading consumers to more money-conscious alternatives.

Android Central's Take

From a consumer perspective, I find it strange that we keep getting all of these price hikes if the platform is... doing well? There was $1.5 billion posted in ad revenue at the end of 2025, yet it's the viewers that are stuck with higher prices. It does make one wonder why. Sure, they've said higher prices help it to deliver better quality content and the like. Is that still the case? Is that something that consumers will sit by and say, "you know, that makes sense." I'm not so sure. I feel like we're approaching a point where it's just too much (I mean, $27 for 4K, or even $20 for regular/no-ads is a bit much, no?).

What you need to know

• Netflix announces that its mobile app redesign is rolling out across several countries.
• The app now displays commonly used content, like shows, movies, categories, and more front and center.
• Another major highlight is the "Clips" feed where users can scroll a set of relevant vertical videos to find new shows or movies to watch.

Netflix is extending its resources to redesign its mobile experience, and users can expect that rolling out now.

Netflix announced this week that its major mobile app rework is now rolling out in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Australia, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, and South Africa. It's no surprise that many people are on their phones constantly throughout the day, and many also watch their shows or movies there, too. In this redesign, Netflix states it's putting "what you care about front and center, with streamlined navigation and a visual, vertical discovery experience that feels right at home on your phone."

Users will notice a top navigation bar packed with Shows, Movies, Podcasts, New & Hot, and Categories. Beneath that will be some highlighted content before users scroll down into your Continue Watching, Top Picks, and more.

A significant portion of work for this redesign went into Netflix's new "Clips" feed. If you're familiar with Reels on Instagram or YouTube Shorts, then you'll feel quite comfortable. Netflix says this vertical video feed was "designed for the way you actually use your phone: quick, visual, and easy to tap into something that catches your eye."

The Clips feed is intended to feel personalized, as viewers can find something new to watch that might interest them "without endless scrolling." If you've found a show or movie that you like, users will notice an "Add to My List" button. Moreover, sharing shows or movies you love with other people is half the fun. Users can share a clip from their feed via text or social media.

Additionally, aside from what's relevant to you, users can "Explore" Clips. Through this, users will enter the wide expanse that is Netflix's entertainment catalog to find content they never knew they'd like.

Scroll with purpose

The idea of a vertical feed was first brought up earlier this year, during Netflix's Q1 earnings call. While the company posted a 16% year-over-year (YoY) revenue growth, an executive discussed its plans for 2026. Netflix said it was planning to revamp its mobile experience and drive more engagement via this vertical video feed. It was stated that this feed would be involved in a new "discovery feed," which we've come to know as "Clips."

Also, that TV redesign Netflix mentioned was just what the entertainment doctor ordered. The company introduced better flexibility and responsiveness for TVs, displaying tags for shows and quicker access to My List and Search.

Android Central's Take

I don't think Clips is a bad feature to have. Sure, it kind of feels like all the other vertical stuff we've seen recently (Disney, included), but it might find its place. I think for people who are opening the app and just want to see what's new, this could be useful.

What you need to know

• In its Q1 2026 report, Netflix informs that it will look to redesign its mobile app, and leading the charge will be vertical videos.
• These videos will be a part of a new "discovery feed" to help members locate new content on the service.
• This sounds quite similar to "Verts on Disney Plus," which the streaming service debuted to help drive more engagement in March.

Whether it's vertical videos or short-form content, it seems like every app is getting in on it in one way or another, just like Netflix.

In Netflix's Q1 2026 round-up for shareholders, where it posted a 16% year-over-year (YoY) revenue growth, it mentioned a new feature headed to mobile users (via The Verge). There are three areas that Netflix says it plans to focus on, but what concerns this particular article is how it plans to "leverage technology" to improve its service. The company says it is preparing a "redesign" for its mobile app, which will introduce vertical videos "at the end of the month."

These vertical videos are headed to the mobile app in their own "discovery feed." So, it seems wise to imagine a new button (for whatever the feed will be called) appearing toward the end of April. Netflix didn't state what kind of content viewers would see. Would it be short clips from movies and shows or trailers?

What it did cover is the overall mobile app redesign, stating it will "better reflect our expanding entertainment offering and make it easier for members to engage how and when they want." Netflix then highlighted its use of Gen AI to recommend better content to members who might be more prone to watching.

If the idea of a streaming service looking to vertical videos to drive more engagement sounds familiar, you wouldn't be wrong.

Back during CES 2026, Disney announced its plans to introduce short-form, vertical videos to its streaming service. Of course, the similarities poured in: YouTube Shorts, TikTok, etc. An executive present at the conference said that the service's vertical videos shouldn't feel "disjointed" when they arrive. They added that its content would involve "original short-form programming," among others.

Fast-forward to March, and "Verts on Disney Plus" debuted. Verts (like the ESPN version) will offer content for users that is relevant to their tastes. Users can find clips from shows and movies with the option of hopping into that content or saving it to view later. This is likely similar to what Netflix is chasing; however, it's hard to forget about its latest price hike, which doesn't quite make sense.

Prices rose across the board for Standard with Ads and Standard (Ad-Free), which see $8.99 and $19.99 monthly charges. What's more, Netflix's Premium (4K + Spatial Audio) is now $26.99. This price increase comes a meager 14 months after another from January 2025.

I have a confession to make — I paid for an expensive monthly Netflix subscription for way longer than I probably should have. Netflix is the streaming service that started it all, and it's known for outstanding originals and a standout content library. It's a streaming giant, and if you're only subscribing to one platform, it feels like it should be Netflix, right? I'm not so sure that's true anymore.

For a while, I was paying for Netflix out of obligation rather than value. After all, the streaming wars are well underway, and Netflix's library of content has been thinned as a result. Content rights holders have pulled back their licenses for use on their own streaming services, rather than giving them all to Netflix. The shows and movies I paid a monthly fee to Netflix for aren't even on the platform anymore, and recent Netflix originals underwhelmed me.

That's why I canceled my Netflix subscription for good last year, and after the latest round of price hikes, I'm glad I did. The base, ad-supported plan is a dollar more expensive, while the two ad-free plans are $2 more expensive. That's on a monthly basis, so the recurring costs will add up over time. It might seem like a nominal increase, but if you aren't getting extra value out of it, why pay more?

At $27 for a 4K plan with spatial audio, Netflix subscriptions simply aren't worth the cost. That's why I pay for three streaming services instead.

Paramount Plus

Paramount Plus is my favorite subscription service, and for as little as $9 per month for the Essential plan, you can watch loads of content. I subscribe to the Premium plan for only $13 per month, which eliminates ads and supports Showtime originals, video downloads, and live streaming of CBS and live sports. You can stream on three devices simultaneously, and Paramount Plus won't try to lock you out if you travel or share your password.

The content library is what sells Paramount Plus for me. The service includes the best dramas airing on CBS, including long-running series like "NCIS," "Criminal Minds," and "Blue Bloods." It also includes incredible originals, namely the Taylor Sheridan collection, which features the "Yellowstone" universe, "Mayor of Kingstown," "Tulsa King," and "Landman." Finally, you get Paramount movies like the "Transformers" franchise.

I don't think you'll find a better combination of TV series and movies available on one platform than Paramount Plus offers.

To round out the experience, live CBS streaming is a great perk, especially during sports season. You can stream the NFL on CBS, the UEFA Champions League, live UFC fights, and college basketball games — including March Madness.

Hulu

For similar reasons to Paramount Plus, I subscribe to Hulu. I find that streaming services anchored by legacy cable TV channels offer a better experience than new-age streamers, such as CBS for Paramount Plus, NBC for Peacock, and ABC for Hulu. The streaming service starts at $12 per month with ads or $19 monthly without them. The higher-priced Hulu Premium plan enables video downloads, too.

Again, I love Hulu's content library, with ABC series like "The Rookie," "9-1-1," and "Grey's Anatomy" being available on the streamer. The best part about using Hulu to follow ABC originals is that episodes appear on the streaming service right after they air, so you can watch week to week rather than waiting for an entire season to drop. There are also Hulu original shows and movies to fill out the catalog.

Hulu is great for people who want to replace cable TV with one service. You can get Hulu with Live TV, or bundle Hulu with Disney Plus and ESPN Unlimited. There are also third-party bundles outside the Disney family that let you add HBO Max, Paramount Plus, Cinemax, and Starz to your subscription. Be warned, though, these bundles get pricey fast.

I do think the price of Hulu could be better, but the $19 Hulu Premium plan is still $8 cheaper per month than Netflix's highest tier, so it's hard to complain.

Prime Video

Finally, there's Amazon Prime Video. This streaming service is a bit underrated, partly because Prime Video has a smaller content library. It's a fair criticism, but I love it because most of us already pay for Amazon Prime. If you do, it's free, or you can subscribe to Prime Video separately for $9 per month. Some users don't like that ads are now included unless you pay $5 per month, but again, I don't mind it since I pay for Prime anyway.

Prime is surprisingly valuable, especially for football fans. The NFL's "Thursday Night Football" games stream exclusively on Prime Video, so you'll need to keep track of your favorite teams. The same goes for basketball lovers, as select NBA games are streamed on Prime Video. Amazon seems to be going all-in on live sports lately, so Prime Video is a good subscription to have.

Prime Video originals can be exciting too, like "Reacher" and "Cross," for instance. If you have a Prime subscription already, it's worth seeing what Amazon has to offer rather than paying for Netflix separately.

Maybe it's time for you to ditch Netflix, too

To find out which streaming service is actually worth the money, consider the content you watch and the platform that has the most of it. Don't subscribe to streaming services just because they're popular and you feel like they're necessary, like I did with Netflix for too long. After switching to Paramount Plus, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, I'm spending money on streaming services that provide value at a reasonable cost.

What you need to know

• A court in Rome ruled that seven years of Netflix price hikes (2017–2024) were illegal because the company failed to provide specific, justified reasons for the increases in its contracts.
• Long-term Italian subscribers could see significant refunds: up to €500 for Premium users and €250 for those on the Standard plan.
• Netflix has 90 days to notify all affected customers through its website and national media or face a €700 daily fine.

Just days after hiking prices again for U.S. customers, Netflix has been slapped with a court ruling in Italy that could force the streamer to hand back hundreds of euros to long-time subscribers.

Italian consumer group Movimento Consumatori sued Netflix over four price increases between 2017 and 2024, according to Ars Technica. The problem was that Netflix's contracts reportedly did not explain why prices could change in the future.

Italy's Consumer Code says companies cannot raise rates without a clear, justified reason in the contract. The court agreed and ruled on April 1 that Netflix's price hikes broke these rules.

Massive potential payouts

What does this mean for subscribers? Someone on the premium plan who has paid since 2017 could get about €500 back. Standard plan users might receive around €250.

The court also told Netflix to lower current prices to what they were before the increases, such as €11.99 instead of €19.99 for premium and €9.99 instead of €13.99 for standard.

Netflix has 90 days to inform millions of current and former Italian customers by email, mail, its website, and national newspapers. If it fails to do so, it will face a daily penalty of €700.

Movimento Consumatori has said it will file a class-action lawsuit if Netflix does not comply right away.

Before you check your bank account, remember that this ruling only applies in Italy. Netflix is already appealing and says its terms have always followed local law. The company also updated its contract terms in April 2025 to better explain future changes, so price increases after that date are probably allowed.

Over at Reddit, you’ll see that most people aren’t feeling sorry for Netflix. One commenter wished the U.S. would do the same. Others note that raising prices isn’t illegal; the real issue was Netflix not being clear about it.

Some people are skeptical, too. A few think Netflix might cut content or change its approach in Italy. Others say this is just Big Tech finally being held accountable.

For now, Italian subscribers may finally see a positive outcome. For everyone else, the latest price hike still stands unless your local consumer group takes similar action.

What you need to know

• Netflix is raising prices again across all tiers in the US and Canada — its second hike in roughly 14 months.
• The ad-supported plan jumps to $8.99 (+$1), while ad-free plans climb to $19.99 and $26.99 (+$2 each).
• Adding extra members now costs more too, with fees rising to $7.99 (ads) and $9.99 (ad-free).

If you were hoping prices might finally stop going up, Netflix has some disappointing news. Just a little over a year since its last increase, the streaming giant is raising prices again for every subscription tier in the U.S. and Canada.

Netflix has raised the price of its ad-supported plan by one dollar and its ad-free plans by two dollars, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Here’s what the new monthly costs look like:

• Standard with Ads: $8.99 (was $7.99)
• Standard (Ad-Free): $19.99 (was $17.99)
• Premium (4K + Spatial Audio): $26.99 (was $24.99)

If you share your account with family members who don’t live with you, there’s another price increase. The cost to add an extra member has gone up by $1, so it’s now $7.99 for ad-supported plans and $9.99 for ad-free plans.

Aggressive timeline

If this feels familiar, it’s because it is. This is Netflix’s second price increase in about 14 months, after the one in January 2025. Analysts thought the company would wait until late 2026 for another hike, but that changed.

The reason for these price hikes is a mix of big spending and deals that didn’t work out. Netflix recently dropped its $83 billion bid to buy Warner Bros. Discovery. Even though that deal fell through, Netflix is still planning to spend $20 billion on content this year, including live events like the MLB Opening Day stream and new formats such as video podcasts and cloud gaming.

For new subscribers, these prices are already in effect. If you’re already a member, watch your email—Netflix says it will let you know at least 30 days before the new rate shows up on your bill.

Be sure to consider your options before your next bill. With the Premium plan getting close to $30, it’s harder for casual viewers to see the value. You can switch to the $8.99 ad-supported tier to save money, but if prices keep rising every year, even the budget option may not stay affordable.

Android Central's Take

Honestly, I’m having a hard time finding the value in this latest price increase. Netflix wants us to believe that paying almost $30 a month for 4K is worth it because of new features like MLB games and cloud gaming, even though most people didn’t ask for them. It feels like we’re paying for their failed $83 billion deal. While the company says we’ll get more content, it really just means paying more for the same library. At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if it adds a “Remote Control Convenience Fee” by 2027. If it's testing how much we’ll pay before canceling, it's getting close to the limit.

My favorite part of a phone is not just what it can do, but the services that power it. This year, we used plenty of services, and we all agree the winners are truly deserving of their awards!

From music streaming and video streaming services, to the best Android app and best Android game, here are our winners! Congratulations to all, you made our phones so much more fun to use, and we are very grateful.

Best music streaming service: Spotify

We’ve seen some notable updates from music streaming services this year, but Spotify continues to lead in quality and sheer feature set. This year finally saw the launch of the app’s long-awaited Lossless audio feature, which significantly improves the quality of your music when you’re listening through wired headphones or via Wi-Fi with Spotify Connect. The best part is that it comes at no extra cost to Premium subscribers, despite rumors that it would be its own tier or cost extra.

Of course, Spotify also continues to update and add features, such as its AI DJ, Jam, and a new Prompted Playlist that lets users generate a playlist by describing the kind of music they want. Users can also bring DJ vibes to their playlists with Automix, which creates natural transitions between songs to keep the party going without pauses. Finally, the most significant update for free users came this year when Spotify finally gave them the ability to play and search for individual songs, bringing it a step closer to the premium tier and making it easier to enjoy and share tunes.

Best video streaming service: Netflix

2025 was a weird year for streaming services. The standoff between YouTube TV and Disney finally boiled over, everyone and their mother tried to buy Warner Bros, and yes, most of the apps got more expensive. None of this drama benefited the consumer, of course, but that didn’t stop Netflix from having one of its strongest years yet.

Even amid price hikes and password crackdowns, Netflix continues to dominate the video streaming space, striking that delicate balance between crowd-pleasers and Oscar-worthy feature films. We’re sure to see more battles between the big companies in 2026, but once the dust settles, don’t be surprised if Netflix is the last service standing.

Best Android app: Gemini

Artificial intelligence might be a very divisive and polarizing topic, but one thing’s for sure: it’s here to stay. When used ethically and efficiently, it can be an outstanding productivity tool and intellectual aid. Gemini is one of Google’s best Android apps right now, and it is integrated with everything else. This cross-platform integration makes Google’s suite of apps even more powerful, useful, and extremely convenient.

If you have a Google Pixel device, your Google Assistant must already be replaced by Gemini, and you must have noticed how much more intuitive and functional the experience is with it. From deep research and generating images to data analysis and quick stats, there are a hundred good reasons why Gemini is the best Android app of the year.

Best Android game: Pokémon TCG Pocket

Did you think that the post-pandemic Pokémon craze was over? Think again. Not only did Nintendo release a new Switch game in the form of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, but before that, it surprised many of us by releasing Pokémon TCG Pocket for both Android and iOS at the tail end of last year, and the game has received a steady stream of updates throughout 2025 to keep players vying for the latest cards and packs!

The premise is simple and familiar: Open packs of cards, collect your Pokémon, build decks, and battle! Not only that, but you can even trade cards from your collection with friends, while also competing in ranked matches to put your skills to the test. Best of all, it’s absolutely free to do all of this, without you needing to spend a dime.

What you need to know

• Apple TV on Android now supports Google Cast, letting users stream shows and movies to big-screen devices easily.
• The new Cast icon in the Apple TV app lets users select Chromecast or Google TV devices for instant playback.
• Apple's move contrasts Netflix's removal of Cast support, since Apple allows casting on all compatible devices.

Apple today (Dec. 16) announced that the Apple TV app for Android is gaining support for Google Cast.

This means that similar to how you've been able to cast content from your Android smartphone to big-screen devices like smart TVs (and even projectors) in apps like Disney+ and YouTube, you'll now be able to cast TV shows and movies from the Apple TV app on Android as well.

With the feature rolling out, you'll now see a Cast icon in the top right corner of the app. Tapping it shows a dialog box with all available Chromecast and Google TV devices. Then you simply select the device you want to stream to and playback will begin. As with other Chromecast playback, you'll be able to control everything directly from your phone.

The feature is already rolling out starting today. We were able to use it on the Google Pixel 10 Pro with the latest version of the Apple TV app (version 2.2.0). If you don't see the Cast icon yet, just update the app through the Google Play Store.

Casting from Apple TV app on Android is now possible

Apple notes that this feature will make it easier for users to stream "award-winning" shows and movies like Severance, Slow Horses, The Morning Show, Pluribus, and F1 The Movie.

It's also worth mentioning that Apple TV is slowly becoming a serious sports-streaming app with support for Major League Soccer, Friday Night Baseball, and Formula 1 races in the U.S. This expansion is great for users who don't own Apple devices but still want to stream content on the big screen.

The rollout comes at an interesting time. Recently, Netflix removed the Cast option from its app for Google TV and Chromecast devices that include remotes, but Apple has no such restriction.

The company has added support for Google Cast on all compatible devices, including the Google TV Streamer, Chromecast with Google TV, and a wide range of Android TVs.

This is Android Central's Tech News Wrap, your go-to source for a concise roundup of the week's most significant tech stories. This is where we delve into the top headlines that provide the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape.

This week, Samsung finally shows off its Galaxy Z TriFold, Google Pixel and Android users get useful features, Netflix acquires Warner Bros. in a massive $83 billion deal, intel on Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and One UI 8.5 update leaked in full.

Samsung unveils its Galaxy Z TriFold

Read more here

Samsung rang in the holidays, unveiling its much-awaited Galaxy Z TriFold. From the looks of it, the Galaxy Z TriFold is incredibly thin (3.9mm), featuring a large display and two panels that fold inwards.

The Galaxy Z TriFold showcases a 10-inch AMOLED main screen when unfolded, and a 6.5-inch cover screen. Samsung has made two differently sized hinges that ensure a smoother folding experience, allowing the panels to close without leaving any gaps. It has an IP48 rating, which means it is resistant to freshwater immersion and solid objects.

It comes with a massive 200MP wide-angle sensor with 2x optical-quality zoom, an ultrawide 12MP camera, and a 10MP telephoto lens. The cover screen features a 10MP selfie camera, while the main screen has a 10MP under-display camera, making it easier to take selfies even when the device is unfolded.

The device is said to come with Android 16 and One UI 8 out of the box, only in one colorway: Crafted Black, landing in the U.S. only in the first quarter of 2026.

'Twas a week of new feature drop for Pixels and Android users

Read more here and here

Google announced that it will introduce new features to help Android users really focus on the things and people that matter most to them when they pick up their phones — cutting out the unnecessary noise. "See the emotion behind speech in captions, send new emoji combos, and let friends know when your call is important," the Keyword added.

To start, users can now see and read the emotion behind each video they come across, whether it's a friend's video note or while scrolling through social media — with "Expressive Captions." The feature creates real-time captions, describing the intensity at which a person is speaking, along with ambient noises like [birds chirping], [cheers and applause], etc.

Additionally, Google is unleashing new "Emoji Kitchen sticker combos" in time for the holidays, and you will also be able to let friends and family know when your calls are urgent with "Call reason," so they know they should answer.

Within Google Messages, you will now be able to easily identify and exit unwanted group chats, as Google will send you an alert that "shows key information about the group and tips to stay safe."

Pixel users also got a major Android 16 update this week, bringing a new "Notification organizer" that automatically groups and silences low-priority pings like news and promos, while AI summaries condense long chat threads for quick context. While themed icons now automatically apply across all your apps for a seamless aesthetic, among other things.

Netflix said 'bet' and snatched up Warner Bros. for $82.7B.

Read more here

Netflix announced its intent to acquire Warner Bros. for $82.7 billion earlier today (Dec 5), adding over a century of cinematic legacy to its streaming library. Netflix was up against other companies, including Paramount, Skydance, and Comcast.

This means all the content on Warner Bros., HBO, and the HBO Max streaming service could soon be owned by Netflix. This also means that users may only need to stick to one platform, without having to switch between multiple apps and streaming services, and have all their favorite shows under one roof. They won't have to worry about licensing issues seen when some Warner Bros. shows move to other streaming services.

However, on the flip side, other concerns could be brewing. Some analysts think this deal could face intense regulatory scrutiny and antitrust battles in both the U.S. and Europe, given that one large company is essentially trying to monopolize the streaming industry.

Samsung's Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 leak

Read more here

Samsung's next rugged watch showed up in a leak this week. Samsung is reportedly working on a new smartwatch that is internally called the "Galaxy Watch 9 Ultra," but GalaxyClub suggests this will hit shelves as the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. However, the publication also suggests that the new Ultra won’t be released until the summer of 2026, meaning there will be no major rugged update in 2025.

Samsung appears to have delayed the launch, opting instead to focus on a more substantial upgrade in 2026. This move suggests the company is aiming for more than a mere specification bump, potentially giving the smartwatch a whole new look. We're likely to see a unique feature on the new watch. If it shares the DNA of the Apple Watch 9, we’re likely to see more advanced health features and greater processing power.

Massive One UI 8.5 leak

Read more here

We've been seeing multiple One UI 8.5 leaks lately, and this is the best one yet. It has given away almost all the changes you can expect from Samsung's next major update. Tipseter @taruvats33 posted the complete changelog for One UI 8.5 ahead of the beta release for the Galaxy S25 series.

While previous speculation suggests UI changes, including elements inspired by Apple's Liquid Glass from iOS 26 and a more customizable Quick Settings panel, the leaked list confirms these are just the tip of the iceberg.

Some of the new features include Galaxy AI capabilities, such as the ability to generate AI images with Photo Assist tools without saving every draft. Furthermore, a more intelligent Bixby is expected to arrive on Galaxy devices with One UI 8.5, which is reportedly powered by Perplexity.

Other new features in One UI 8.5 include improved Quick Share, automatic lock screen layout adjustments so the clock and widgets don't cover important parts of your images, and more.

More stories this week

Those are some of the biggest stories from this week. Meanwhile, here are some other stories that are worth catching up on:

• Netflix's deal with Warner Bros. sparks debate and worry over content quality
• Chrome's enhanced autofill features arrive to simplify your holiday planning
• X's new 'transparent' location labels for accounts have people questioning everything
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 finally gets its big One UI 8 upgrade in the US
• Pixel 10 users say the December update is messing with the always-on display
• Google and Amazon unite to tackle cloud outages with innovative networking solution
• YouTube cut off: Australian teens are losing logins under new age law
• Samsung Exynos 2600 teaser hypes up a 'refined' chip for next-gen Galaxy
• Google's 2025 search data reveals a world gripped by Gemini and chaos
• Gemini's web redesign introduces 'My Stuff' folder for a streamlined user experience

What you need to know

• Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. raises consumer concerns about potential price hikes and content quality.
• Critics fear HBO's prestige programming and current shows may be jeopardized under Netflix's ownership.
• Social media buzzes with memes, but regulatory approvals are still pending for the $82.7 billion deal.

Netflix acquired Warner Bros. this morning in a historic $82.7 billion deal, and while it seems like an excellent move for both parties, it has undoubtedly sparked a frenzy among consumers and the broader streaming industry. Although change often comes with some pushback, this particular deal has sparked widespread concern about the subscriber's position in the new streaming landscape.

Several users took to Reddit to share their thoughts about the acquisition, and many comments were critical, focusing on the negative impact on the streaming experience and their wallets.

Among the most common issues discussed were potential price hikes for the streaming service or for HBO's content becoming an "add-on" service for an extra charge, while keeping Netflix's prices intact. One user said, "$40 per month HBOflix incoming," while another said, "Def see another price increase coming soon. They gotta pay for that 83bn somehow."

While sources close to the negotiations told Reuters that "the potential combination of its streaming service with HBO Max would benefit consumers by lowering the cost of a bundled offering," this still doesn't seem to be convincing people at large.

On the other hand, several took to social media to discuss how this major acquisition will affect the kind of content HBO Max offers. While HBO's content may get a new home and possibly a larger viewership base, many users expressed concern, noting that Netflix will "screw up" the high-quality, prestige programming associated with HBO. Meanwhile, others pleaded with Netflix to "let HBO do its thing" and urged Netflix not to "touch HBO."

Speaking of content, one user was also concerned that there could be potential cancellation of existing shows and the "death of traditional film distribution," with some predicting "Rip movies. Rip theatrical releases. Rip theaters." But according to the CBC, Netflix has reportedly assured Warner Bros. Discovery that it will continue to release the studio's movies in theaters.

Furthermore, folks are also talking about how Netflix's content-suggestion algorithm largely relies on content similar to what they've already watched. This keeps them stuck in Netflix's algorithm, so to speak, with the risk of viewers missing out on challenging content that HBO is known for.

That said, while people were getting serious about this deal, others just took it in stride and had fun with the announcement on social media, creating memes and crossover worlds, think Stranger Things x DC or a show just dedicated to Jon Snow's white direwolf companion in "Game of Thrones."

That said, this deal is still subject to regulatory approvals from antitrust and competition regulators in the United States (specifically the Department of Justice, or DOJ) and the European Union (EU), so it remains to be seen how this pans out in the next several months.

What you need to know

• Netflix acquires Warner Bros. content, reshaping the streaming landscape with iconic shows now united under one platform.
• This merger positions Netflix as a dominant force in streaming, challenging smaller competitors in the market.
• Consumers may benefit from bundled offerings, while HBO Max initially operates separately during the transition period.

Netflix announced its $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. earlier today(Dec. 5), acquiring over a century of cinematic legacy by the streaming giant. Netflix was up against other companies, including Paramount Skydance, and Comcast. However, Netflix ultimately secured the deal with Warner Bros. after weeks of negotiations, with its highly competitive, mostly cash offer, according to some reports.

This means iconic content like The Big Bang Theory, The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, along the DC Universe will join Netflix’s platform. Meaning, all the content on Warner Bros. (the studio), HBO, and the HBO Max streaming service will now be owned by Netflix.

“Today’s announcement combines two of the greatest storytelling companies in the world to bring to even more people the entertainment they love to watch the most,” said David Zaslav, president and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, in a press release.

Industry changing move

This move comes at a time when we witnessed intense content dispute between Disney and YouTube, which resulted in a weeks-long blackout for consumers. Combining the world's largest streaming platform with Hollywood's renowned studios makes Netflix one of the most dominant players in the content market. This could make it really tough on smaller streaming services to keep up with the massive Netflix-Warner entity.

While Netflix and Warner Bros. are optimistic about the acquisition, considering this enhances Netflix’s potential, allowing the company to significantly expand in the U.S. and gain a large foothold in the country.

However, on the flip side, there could be other concerns brewing. Some analysts think that this deal could face intense regulatory scrutiny and anti-trust battles in both the U.S. and Europe, when it comes to one large company essentially trying to monopolize the streaming industry. Critics argue that merging these two could grant Netflix "too much power over Hollywood."

What this means for subscribers

It is highly likely that all of HBO and HBO Max will be pulled into Netflix's already large catalog of entertainment. “By combining Warner Bros.’ incredible library of shows and movies—from timeless classics like Casablanca and Citizen Kane to modern favorites like Harry Potter and Friends. Together, we can give audiences more of what they love and help define the next century of storytelling,” said Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, in a press release.

This also means that users stick to one platform, without having to switch between multiple apps and streaming services, and have all their favorite shows under one roof. They won't have to worry about licensing issues seen when some Warner Bros. shows move to other streaming services.

That said, sources close to the negotiations informed Reuters that the acquisition could actually be good for consumers. They stated that "the potential combination of its streaming service with HBO Max would benefit consumers by lowering the cost of a bundled offering."

Lastly, it is important to note that while the acquisition has been confirmed, Netflix states that HBO Max will likely operate separately for 12 to 18 months while they close the transaction, but this could keep HBO Max's subscribers in limbo, having them decide if they'd want to ditch the service until things move over to Netflix.

We're curious what you think about this acquisition! Sticking with both services, or just one for now? Let us know in the comments!

What you need to know

• Netflix has begun removing Cast support on newer Google TV and Chromecast devices, forcing users to use the app.
• Many users report the Cast button disappearing in the Netflix app, with official confirmation now issued.
• Netflix says most TVs and streamers no longer support casting, except for older Chromecast models without remotes.

Netflix seems to have started killing off support for casting on many Google TV and other streaming devices, leaving users with no option but to use the app directly for watching Netflix content.

In addition to offering full apps for their services, one of the legacy ways most platforms have supported streaming on devices like Chromecast and Google TV is through Cast. Apps like Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and Crunchyroll support this method. It has also been a user-favorite, since it's easy to start casting from your phone to the big screen while keeping playback controls on your phone.

However, with most streaming services now offering full-featured and complex apps, casting support has taken a back seat. Even Google hasn't focused much on Chromecast lately, and now it appears streaming services are pulling back as well, with Netflix reportedly removing Cast support on newer Google TV and Chromecast devices.

As spotted by users on Reddit (via Android Authority), many have reported that the Cast button in the Netflix app has disappeared when trying to stream to Chromecast devices. The first reports surfaced around November 10, 2025, and Netflix has now officially confirmed that it’s retiring the feature on at least new devices.

Netflix quietly backs away from casting support

In its official support page, Netflix writes that "Netflix no longer supports casting shows from a mobile device to most TVs and TV-streaming devices. You'll need to use the remote that came with your TV or TV-streaming device to navigate Netflix."

This applies regardless of which Netflix plan you're on, including ad-supported and Premium. The only exception for now is older Chromecast devices and TVs. Newer devices like the Google TV Streamer or Chromecast with Google TV, both of which come with remotes, will no longer support casting Netflix from your phone.

It's a major shift that could influence other streaming platforms to follow, but for now no other service has removed casting support on their devices.

What you need to know

• YouTube will pause Premium Family accounts shared outside the same household.
• Affected users get 14 days to confirm eligibility before losing Premium benefits.
• The crackdown follows Netflix's 2023 policy and aims to boost new plan sign-ups.

YouTube has long allowed users to share the Premium subscription with up to five members through the Premium Family plan. The plan, which costs about $23 per month, has been an easy way to split the subscription with others. However, it now looks like YouTube will soon crack down on users sharing accounts outside their household.

It seems YouTube has started notifying users who are part of a Family plan but not physically located in the same household as the family manager. The company has reportedly started sending emails saying their "YouTube Premium family membership will be paused" (via Android Police).

In the email, YouTube says Family plan members must be "in the same household as the family manager." If not, the membership will be "paused in 14 days." The email adds that affected users will "remain in your family group" and still watch YouTube with ads, but will "no longer have YouTube Premium benefits."

Notably, YouTube will allow users who receive this email to "confirm eligibility and maintain access" using a support form.

Not many users are affected just yet

If this sounds familiar, it's exactly what Netflix implemented in 2023, requiring all account users to be physically associated with the same household, and now YouTube seems to be following suit.

For what it's worth, YouTube has required family members to be in the same household since 2023, but until now, there were no consequences for ignoring it. Now, it looks like the company is cracking down on YouTube Premium sharing between users in different locations more seriously.

If you're doing the same thing, the good news is the crackdown doesn't seem widespread yet, with only a few people on X/Twitter and Reddit reporting such emails.

It's also worth noting these reports are surfacing only months after YouTube introduced YouTube Premium Lite and started testing a two-person Premium plan, so this could be a way for the company to push more sign-ups for different tiers.

What you need to know

• Netflix announced its TV experience redesign that brings more flexibility and responsiveness for viewers.
• The post states users will find tags on shows and movies to deliver important information before engaging and quicker access to My List and Search.
• Phones are also receiving new goodies: conversational search with its generative AI beta and a vertical feed for scrolling show/movie clips.
• Netflix's TV revamp will arrive "in the coming months."

Netflix executives sat down to announce the beginning of a new TV experience that's preparing to roll out for all members.

In its announcement, Netflix states, "In the coming months," all of its users will receive its newly updated homepage when viewing the platform on a TV. The company's chief product officer, Eunice Kim, stated Netflix wanted the redesign to be "more flexible for our broad entertainment offerings, more intuitive and responsive to our members’ needs."

What users should prepare to find is an "elevated" Netflix experience on TVs. The company states it reworked its homepage with a "clean and modern" design. Joining these changes is a brighter spotlight on the information that matters for shows and movies. The post says users should find everything they need "front and center" to make an informed decision before interacting.

Netflix content will feature tags, like "Emmy Award Winner," "#1 in TV Shows," "Recently Added," "New Season," and more.

The UI is also seeing some TLC, as Netflix says key shortcuts for "My List" and Search will move to the top of your display. Lastly, experience progresses with better real-time recommendations.

Netflix unveils What's Next

The smartphone Netflix experience gets a little love, too, as the company discussed new ways to search and discover. Regarding the former, Netflix will incorporate generative AI to enable the use of "conversational language" when searching. For example, the platform says a user could write "I want something funny and upbeat," and its AI software should narrow things down.

This feature will arrive as an opt-in beta for iOS users first.

Additionally, Netflix is preparing to introduce a vertical feed "in the coming weeks." This feed will contain clips of its available shows and movies to (hopefully) entice users into watching. If there is something that catches your eye, Netflix says users can tap to watch that bit of content seamlessly.

Interestingly, we've seen Netflix testing similar changes around this time last year. The company's senior director of product, Pat Flemming, discussed these changes in an interview, stating, the changes should help users cut down on the "gymnastics they do with their eyes." Another change is how cards for shows and movies are offered. When hovered over, these cards will expand to display a quick teaser or preview of what you can expect.

The test was extremely limited last year, but Netflix is in a place now where it's comfortable enough to roll it out officially for members.

• Streaming deals: Disney+ | Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+

What you need to know

• The new search Open AI-based feature is currently being tested on some iOS devices in Australia and New Zealand.
• It is said to be in a "learn and listen" phase and the company plans to expand it to regions like the U.S.
• Netflix already users AI and Machine Learning for its show or movie recommendations based on users' watch history.

Netflix appears to be finding a few more ways to make its subscribers engaged with the streaming platform as it is going to incorporate a new search strategy, Bloomberg reports.

The streaming giant is currently testing an OpenAI-powered search engine to help users find TV shows and movies by using specific terms, notes Bloomberg. It can also include terms based on the user's current mood, for which they can get recommendations with the use of new search technology.

For some iOS devices for users in Australia and New Zealand, the tool is said to be already live for testing, and it is likely to expand to even more markets, including the U.S. “It’s early days for the feature and we’re really in a learn and listen phase for this beta,” Netflix spokesperson MoMo Zhou recently confirmed to The Verge.

Currently, Netflix allows users to search by genres, actors' names, year, and the streaming platform has been using AI and machine learning for its recommendations that users already see, which is based on users' watch history and liked content. The new tech appears to be a step up as it adds an extra and more precise layer to already existing search and could give consumers a lot more options on what they want to watch.

Netflix has been on the verge of adding new features for its subscribers for quite some time now. For instance, recently, the platform has added live programming and games, which included the fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, and NFL games during the 2024 Christmas too. The company is expected to add even more this year.

In other Netflix news early this year, the streaming giant noted that its Q4, 2024 report has outperformed the previous quarter with the revenue growing by 16% YoY (year over year), the operating income rising by 52% YoY, and by the end of 2024, the company settled with 302 million subscribers.

• Streaming deals: Disney+ | Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+

This is Android Central's News Weekly, your go-to source for a concise roundup of the week's most significant tech stories. This is where we delve into the top headlines that provide the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape.

This week gave us the new Galaxy S25 series and a lot of other advancements in tech that were shown off at this year's Samsung Galaxy Unpacked, but you can always catch up on Samsung's biggest announcements if you missed them. However, several other news stories took the spotlight this week, and here's what we got: Netflix raises its prices again, we got a new smartwatch for kids, Android 16's Beta rollout, Samsung could be working on a Tri-fold phone, and also a charger that has a 3-in-1 Qi2 wireless charger ready for Galaxy S25.

Netflix just got pricier

Read more here.

Netflix recently published its Q4 revenue report and highlights that this past quarter was definitely one that will go down in history. The company states that its revenue had grown by 16% YoY (year over year), assisted by "19M paid net adds," and that it finished 2024 with about 302M subscribers. The company clearly stated that they "overperformed" this year, and it was pretty unexpected.

However, during their earnings call, the streaming giant stated that, despite their magical quarter, it looks like some bad news is coming our way. The company is reportedly gearing up to increase the price of its "most popular U.S. plan" by $2.50. The publication states the price of this plan — which could become the Standard Plan — will jump to $17.99 per month.

The price hike is set to hit U.S., Canada, Argentina, and Portugal. While we aren't sure why these specific areas were chosen to execute the increase in prices, it still remains to be seen when the *Tudum* bomb might drop on other regions as well.

Samsung and Google collab gave us a new smartwatch experience

Read more here.

The kid's smartwatch section got a tough competitor this week.

Samsung and Google have teamed up to bring us a new kid-friendly cellular-enabled Galaxy Watch this week. The "kid-friendly smartwatch experience" lets you convert a regular Galaxy Watch 7 LTE into one with built-in parental controls.

According to the company, once you set up the eSim, the Galaxy Watch 7 LTE becomes a new device, similar to Google's Fitbit Ace LTE, and can be switched back to an ordinary Galaxy 7 smartwatch when the child gets old enough.

Parents will be able to use the Google Family Link app to supervise their restricted Google account so they can only call or text approved contacts. It also lets adults approve or block Wear OS apps and set a School Time window helping them focus better on the task at hand.

This new watch for kids will let parents track their child's real-time location with the built-in dual-band GPS, however we aren't sure if you'd be able to set up a notification if your child leaves that specific location.

Google also announced new Galaxy Watch for Kids apps on the Play Store with the "Teacher Approved" badge, meaning they're age-appropriate and focus on educational areas like "math, science, history, music, creativity, emotional well-being, and physical activity."

Android 16 gets its first public beta

Read more here.

Google dropped the new and updated first beta version of Android 16 earlier this week. The company stated that this initial build of Android 16 is loaded with support for future features and ample window for developers to experiment and work with.

To start, the post states Android 16 Beta 1 works to improve the "app adaptability" users experience across devices. Google seems to have removed the size restriction on apps and will reportedly allow "large screen devices" to run apps in any size window and aspect ratio, which will benefit foldable phones.

Google says Android 16 Beta 1 will bring "Live Updates," like the Now Bar we caught a glimpse of on the Samsung S25 series. This will also debut on Pixels soon and can "monitor" ongoing activities "among other notifications."

According to their presser, Android 16 seems to be gearing up for launch in summer this year, aka Q2 — which is much earlier than Google's usual rollout. More importantly, Google states that while the major release is in Q2, users should also expect minor SDK releases (for features and more) sometime in Q4 2025.

Samsung sneakily dropped a tri-fold phone teaser

Read more here.

This year's Galaxy Unpacked was filled with small peeks into Samsung's future plans. In a graphic that explained the timeline of various devices, with the Android XR headset in the middle, we spotted Galaxy Z Fold to the left and an outline of a tri-fold phone.

For several months now, Samsung has been rumored to be working on a phone that folds into itself like a book. Various prototypes were seen at the CES 2025 at the Samsung Display booth. During Unpacked, the company showcased another such concept on screen but didn't even touch the topic, as it kept the focus on the Galaxy S25 and how Galaxy AI will be integrated into each of the above devices.

Earlier this week, a rumor surfaced suggesting that Samsung's tri-fold will "feature a 9.9 to 10-inch screen when unfolded." That said, production for the tri-fold phone could begin in Q2 2025, putting it sometime between April and June.

Samsung S25 MagSafe charger could be in the works

Read more here.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 series is compatible with Qi2 chargers but doesn't come with charging magnets of its own. However, we spotted a charger that is on its way that could be just what S25 users are looking for... so long as they have a compatible MagSafe case.

A Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) website listing has indicated that a new 3-in-1 Qi2 charger suitable for the Galaxy S25 series has made its way for certification. The charger is said to be manufactured by a company called WITS, which is a wireless charging business that Samsung Electronics acquired in 2019.

According to images from the WPC certification, the 3-in-1 Qi2 charger can wirelessly charge a Qi2 Ready phone next to a Galaxy Watch or Galaxy Ring, respectively. This means any Galaxy S25 model can be charged at 15W wireless speeds using a Qi2 charger, which is a significant bump from 7.5W.

More stories this week

Those are some of the biggest stories from this week. Meanwhile, here are some other stories that are worth catching up on:

• The Samsung Galaxy S25 series supports satellite connectivity, but there's a catch
• Leak suggests S25 Edge will have a 'slim' battery and charging speed
• One test proves the Galaxy S25 Ultra's battery and charging improvements
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra ups its screen game with the new Gorilla Armor 2
• Meta's XR plans reportedly include seeding Orion to devs and Oakley smart glasses
• Fitbit has a battery overheating problem and here's what to do if you have one
• Another OnePlus 13 update expands its AI translations and fixes bugs
• HTC VIVE engineers join Google for Android XR push
• Meta upgrades WhatsApp with a cross-posting feature for all your other profiles
• Google expands AI Overviews in Circle to Search for the Galaxy S25 series and more

What you need to know

• Netflix posted its Q4 2024 revenue report, which states the company had a quarter fit for the record books with a 16% YoY growth to $10.2 billion.
• The key point of this report is Netflix's plans to increase prices in the U.S., Canada, and more, bringing a "popular" plan to $17.99 monthly.
• Netflix's Q4 2023 was also a "record-breaking" quarter and the company was prepared to raise prices shortly after that, too.

Netflix is delivering its typical end-of-quarter overview, giving us a look at how 2024 ended and what the future holds.

Netflix recently published its Q4 revenue report and highlights that this past quarter was one for the record books (via Bloomberg). The company states that its revenue had grown by 16% YoY (year over year), assisted by "19M paid net adds." It adds that its operating income rose by 52% YoY and that it finished 2024 with 302M subscribers.

The Q4 report says its performance in the previous quarter "outperformed" expectations. However, the folks at Bloomberg notes one key statement during the earnings call: prices are set to rise.

Despite such a record-breaking qurater for Netflix, the company is reportedly preparing to increase the price of its "most popular U.S. plan" by $2.50. The publication states the price of this plan — which could be the Standard Plan — will jump to $17.99 per month.

This reported price increase is apparently slated for the U.S., Canada, Argentina, and Portugal.

Reports adds that the company is also looking to increase the price of the "cheaper ad-supported" plan, too.

In its Q4 file, Netflix states it has factored in this planned pricing increase in the aforementioned countries in its 2025 outlook. The company says it's looking to maintain "healthy growth" in the new year and projects anywhere between $43.5 and 44.5 billion in generated revenue. Netflix estimates that its operating margin will also rise to 29%. It states that these numbers are the result of "improved business fundamentals," its record-breaking Q4 2024 numbers, and the strengthening of the U.S. dollar.

Netflix is also interested in developing more live programming and games in 2025. The fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, as well as its Christmas Day NFL games were among the highlights. The report states that the football games streamed on Christmas were two of the "most streamed" games in NFL history.

Netflix has had a long history of price hikes for several of its subscriber plans — and for a few different countries. So, it feels like we're just living in a time loop, by this point. Regardless, following Netflix's other "record quarter" (Q4 2023), the company announced a price increase was inevitable for its users. The company increased the price of its Standard plan before, which brought it to $15.50, but that was because it phased out the old "Basic" plan.

Netflix also has the cheaper, ad-supported plan, which is seemingly where the company was to push people. At the time, Netflix said, "Scaling our ads business represents an opportunity to tap into significant new revenue and profit pools over the medium to longer term."

That report shed light on how much Netflix spent for its WWE Raw streaming program: $5 billion over a 10-year period, beginning in 2025. Even then, it felt like that money had to come from somewhere.

Since it looks like we're set for another definite price increase, all we're left with is the waiting room until it happens.

What you need to know

• Netflix’s new "Moments" feature lets you easily capture and share favorite scenes from shows and movies.
• Saved clips go to your "My Netflix" tab for easy rewatching, and you can share them on social media with a link to view the scene in the Netflix app.
• It's available now on iOS globally, with an Android launch coming soon.

Netflix is rolling out a new feature that lets you capture and share your favorite scenes from all kinds of shows and movies, so you'll never have to struggle to explain that epic moment without a clip.

This week, the streaming platform launched "Moments," a new feature for its mobile app that lets you capture and save your favorite scenes from a huge selection of shows and movies. Right now, it's available worldwide on iOS, with an Android version coming in the next few weeks.

Your saved clips land in the "My Netflix" tab, making it super easy to relive your favorite moments whenever you want. Plus, sharing them on social media like Facebook and Instagram is a breeze.

While you can share favorite scenes with friends and followers, the clip itself won’t play directly on social media platforms. Instead, your post acts as a link, sending viewers straight to that exact scene in their own Netflix app.

To save a standout scene, simply tap the screen while watching on Netflix, then select "Moments." This pulls up options to save that exact moment, revisit any clips you’ve already saved from the same show or movie, and instantly share or copy a link for easy sharing.

For ages, fans have had to make do with screenshots or screen recordings to share favorite Netflix moments, but the platform's limits on these methods made it tricky. The same is true for many of our beloved streaming services. Now, “Moments” is the perfect fix—an official, easy way to legally share those standout moments with others.

Moments gives plenty of room for saving your favorite scenes, though the number of clips you can save depends on the content length. According to Netflix spokesperson Dorian Rosenberg (via The Verge), most users will have more than enough space to save Moments from different shows and movies without hitting any limits.

Netflix has hinted that the new feature might expand soon, "offering even more ways for members to use and enjoy the feature."

What you need to know

• Disney, now widely rolling out its paid sharing crackdown, is offering an Extra Member option for paid sharing.
• Disney Plus services are now restricted to users in one household per account, but subscribers can pay extra to add another user not living in their primary residence.
• In the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region, subscribers of the Basic plan can add one extra member for $6.99. 
• Premium subscribers will need to pay $9.99, and the Disney Plus bundle (with Hulu and ESPN Plus) doesn't support adding an extra member.

Disney has been priming users worldwide for a password-sharing crackdown on the Disney Plus streaming service, and that is now officially underway. In a blog post last week, the company outlined its plans to entice account sharers to pay their own way for the service. Part of that effort includes making it clear that, like Netflix, Disney Plus is only intended to work within one household.

"Your Disney+ subscription is meant to be used within your Household, which is a collection of devices associated with your primary personal residence that are used by the individuals who reside there," Disney says in the post. 

People outside your household "will need to sign up and pay for their own subscription or be added as an Extra Member to your account for an additional monthly fee to continue enjoying Disney+." 

Many of the policies Disney is now rolling out were piloted in select markets around the world this summer. They're intended to increase Disney's streaming revenue, either by forcing password sharers into buying their own plan or pushing account owners to add a paid extra member. Disney's streaming arm lost money for years, but was profitable for the first time during Q3 2024, when an earnings report revealed that the company generated $47 million in revenue across Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus. 

Disney looks to keep that momentum going with the new Extra Member plans, which are available for the Disney Plus Basic and Premium tiers. Subscribers can add a person outside of their household to their plan for an extra $6.99 for Basic plans or $9.99 for Premium plans. At the moment, you can only add one extra member to a plan, and extra members aren't supported for the bundle that includes Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus. 

The options are widely rolling out for subscribers in the U.S., Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. If users don't want to add an extra member, they can port a user profile to a new Disney Plus account, as long as it's not a minor account or a Junior mode account. 

Luckily, there are options for when you're traveling or relocating. If you get a warning that Disney Plus detects you're away from your household, you can tap "I'm away from home" or "Update household" to keep watching. This will send a one-time password to the account owner's email for verification. It's unclear if any long-term restrictions will be put in place to prevent password sharing on Disney Plus, like Netflix's requirements, which make you connect to a home Wi-Fi network every month. 

How the new password-sharing policies hurt families

Disney and Netflix's actions in the password-sharing crackdown represent a departure from how the services industry has typically treated family plans. Most subscription services, like Apple iCloud Plus or Google One Premium, give you a set number of accounts you can share purchases or benefits with. Steam Families, which lets you share games and media purchased on Steam, works the same way. 

Apple, Google, and Valve let you share content with a set number of accounts, no matter where they're located. Meanwhile, streaming services are throwing this conventional notion of family sharing out the window. Disney and Netflix call their plans for the "household," but they're really for the property or residence. Families and households take a variety of forms, and members aren't always living in the same location.

Netflix and Disney don't care about that. In fact, they would prefer if multiple family members had to pay for their services. They've neared the peak of their revenue streams and want more. If most families already have a Netflix or Disney Plus subscription, how do these companies continue to grow? The answer is: try to break those families up. 

Take me, for example. I live in Arizona, and the rest of my family lives on the U.S. east coast. Most of my family lives together most of the time, but some of my siblings are in college. I was in school not too long ago. It seems crazy for myself (especially when I was still a full-time student), my siblings, and my parents to all have separate subscriptions. This is just my immediate family I'm talking about. 

But that's exactly what Disney and Netflix want. As a consumer, my first response to these policies is simple: who are Disney and Netflix to tell me where and how I can use the subscription I'm paying for? Especially when prices continue to go up year after year.

It's pushing me, and many others, to ditch streamers altogether. I'm only subscribed to one streaming service, Paramount Plus. I love it, but I've been completely disenfranchised by the others. In a way, Disney and Netflix's crackdowns have worked; I don't share accounts for their services anymore, but now I don't use them at all.  

These moves only do one thing: push people toward piracy again

The elephant in the room here is piracy. Yes, piracy is illegal, and you really shouldn't do it. But piracy was rampant in the 1990s and early 2000s before digital music stores like iTunes started popping up. Sites like Napster were ubiquitous for sharing pirated content. The piracy seemed to stop when it was easy to buy media, either through individual online purchases or all-encompassing subscriptions. 

When it's easy to pay for media legally, consumers have proven over decades that they'll certainly do it. However, the market has also learned the hard way that users will absolutely pirate content when companies and studios make it difficult to obtain licenses and stream content lawfully. 

As we enter the late stage of the streaming wars, where account sharing is null, digital rights battles remove content from services on a monthly basis, and price hikes happen on a yearly basis, I'm worried the media industry could be making things difficult enough that consumers resort to other ways of obtaining content. 

What you need to know

• Starting July 13, Netflix's $11.99 ad-free plan will be discontinued for customers, and they must choose between a $6.99 plan that features ads versus a more expensive ad-free plan.
• This change is currently impacting users in the UK and Canada and will be expanded to other countries in Q2. 
• Despite rising subscription costs, Netflix's memberships rose by 16% in the first quarter, reaching 269.6 million.

It looks like Netflix is dropping its least expensive ad-free plan and pushing users to pay more than usual to access the platform without ads.

According to several Reddit posts, Netflix's $11.99 ad-free plan will be discontinued for customers on July 13. They must choose between a $6.99 plan that streams ads versus a $15.49 ad-free plan or the $22.99 ad-free 4K (via Android Police).

The user's streaming is interrupted by a page that states their "basic plan has been discontinued" and that "you can change your plan at any time."

Can't finish Netflix subscription from r/mildlyinfuriating

Based on the Reddit complaints, it seems the streaming giant may first be testing out the updated offerings in the UK or Canada before expanding to other regions (including the U.S.).

One user on Reddit stated that Netflix wasn't allowing them to watch shows on their current ad-free plan without subscribing to the new one. "There's no option to continue watching without selecting a new plan," they said.

Some people feel that Netflix is simply not addressing the concerns of middle-class viewers. 

"You're now either a poverty-class ad-supported viewer at $6 or a wealthy-class member at $16.50." While others have openly stated that they've discontinued their subscriptions because they can't keep up with the rising costs. 

This move doesn't come out of the blue, though.  Earlier this year, during its Q4 earnings call, Netflix publicly announced that it had begun an effort to push customers to either more expensive or ad-supported plans. 

"Scaling our ads business represents an opportunity to tap into significant new revenue and profit pools over the medium to longer term," Netflix said in a statement. 

"On the advertiser side, we continue to improve the targeting and measurement we offer our customers."

While we can speculate why Netflix is trying to raise its prices, it appears that Netflix users are being pushed to pay extra for their ongoing projects, like live programming and on-platform gaming. However, not all of those subscribers will be using those added services on the platform and will end up paying for them.

It is important to note that, despite people unsubscribing to the service, according to CNBC, Netflix's memberships rose by 16% in the first quarter of 2024, reaching 269.6 million, and its net income was around $2.33 billion.

What you need to know

• A new report claims that Netflix could roll out a free, ad-supported plan, but it will likely be restricted to certain regions.
• The company is reportedly in the early stages; however, if development continues, it could debut in countries like Germany and Japan.
• Netflix detailed its plan for 2024 earlier this year, stating that a price hike is on the way for consumers following its record quarter.

A new report claims Netflix is thinking about debuting a new free variant of its streaming services but for a select few areas.

According to information obtained by Bloomberg, Netflix has held internal discussions about debuting a free, ad-supported plan (via Android Authority). If this happens, those "familiar" with the plan have stated it would apply to viewers in Europe and Asia. Rumors add that this plan could debut in large markets within those regions like Germany and Japan with "popular free TV networks."

This new plan reportedly deals with Netflix's scramble to find additional ways to "increase its audience."

However, the publication's sources claim that there are no plans to bring a plan of this capacity to U.S. consumers. Netflix "already reaches the majority of its potential customer base" in the region, thus making a move like this unnecessary.

The post highlights a similar move Netflix made in Kenya in 2021 before discontinuing it. The most notable difference now is the addition of ads, as consumers in Kenya could watch shows and movies without them. The free plan offered personalized recommendations, parental controls, and profile creation options.

Sources add that these internal talks are still in their infancy, meaning things can go either way from here.

In other news, Netflix detailed its plans for 2024, which include a (definite) price hike despite achieving a record revenue quarter. It seems as though the company is seeking help from its customers to pay for its larger endeavors with streaming. Netflix's $5 billion deal with the WWE for the next 10 years was given as an example, alluding to a new trend moving forward.

Unfortunately, Netflix hasn't yet detailed the specifics of its impending price hike for 2024.

What is certain is that the company plans to roll out a revamped UI for smart TVs. During an interview with Netflix's senior director of products, Pat Flemming, it was confirmed that the new UI will help viewers see what's most important when scrolling over shows and movies. The new UI will place a quick preview, description, number of episodes, and more directly on the content card.

What you need to know

• Netflix's Pat Flemming detailed the company's upcoming UI changes for smart TVs for a "new TV experience."
• The changes involve providing an in-card show/movie preview when hovered over with your remote alongside content descriptions, genre, episode count, and more.
• The company plans to start this redesign test with a "small group" of subscribers on smart TVs before rolling it out to more folks if it goes well.

Netflix is beginning to test a new home screen design that only a handful of smart TV owners will receive for initial feedback.

According to an interview between Netflix's senior director of product, Pat Flemming, and The Verge, the changes should help users cut down on the "gymnastics they do with their eyes." Flemming was referring to the current experience Netflix offers with today's home screen as users often have to scan up the screen to view a show/movie preview.

Flemming added, "we really wanted members to have an easier time figuring out if a title is right for them."

The proposed redesign will still feature a large recommended or new title as the initial offering; however, shows and movies will receive a preview card when hovered over. When selected with your remote, the show/movie's title card will expand and display a quick teaser video.

Beneath the expanded card, users will find the content's description, year of release, episode count, and genre.

Joining this "new TV experience" for finding shows and movies is the removal of the Netflix app's sidebar on smart TVs. The top row of the app will now host your profile icon on the far left, and options like Home, Shows, Movies, and My Netflix will be in the center.

Another change that's set to arrive is that users will no longer have to mash their remotes to get back to the top of the Netflix app. Flemming stated that users can hit the "back" button to bounce back up.

Flemming informed The Verge that this test is set to begin arriving for a "small group of subscribers" who watch Netflix on a smart TV. If the reception is positive, then the service will look to expand the UI redesign to more users in the "coming months and quarters."

In other news, Netflix announced earlier this year during its 2023 financial report that 2024 will hold another price hike. It seems the company is looking at the consumer to aid its efforts in bringing new investments to the platform for additional content. The exact details surrounding Netflix's next price hike are still unknown, so we're left waiting until it happens.

What you need to know

• An APK deep dive showed that Netflix could roll out an HDR streaming toggle for users on Android.
• The toggle would let users swap between HDR streaming or SDR if they choose, however, this is still experimental.
• HDR has been known to demand more power from a phone, draining its battery quicker and taking up more bandwidth.

There are whispers that Netflix might have started developing an HDR toggle for its streaming services on Android, and it could be a good thing.

As spotted during an APK deep dive by Android Authority, beta 3.5 based on the latest 8.117 version of the Netflix app shows signs of an HDR toggle. A few strings in the app's code state "Android Allow SDR/HDR Streaming Selection sic." Another string in the code mentions a "switch button" so users can quickly hop between HDR streaming or the lower SDR option.

HDR (High Dynamic Range) bolsters a streamed video by giving the user brighter colors, increasing its overall quality. The other option, SDR, stands for "Standard" dynamic range, which offers a "lower" quality compared to the former. Google offers HDR streaming on YouTube and explains as much on its support page.

The publication also notes that HDR can be quite consuming for devices that support it because of its hunger for power. HDR can drain a device's battery much faster due to its demands while also consuming more data. The post cites an interview between Pocket-Lint and a Dolby executive who stated that HDR consumes "5% to 10% more data" than SDR streaming.

The executive added that this number is "negligible," so it's not that big of a deal.

Elsewhere, the publication reiterated a problem it noticed with the Galaxy S24 Ultra's HDR playback where it would dim the display, causing an unenjoyable experience.

For now, the existence of an HDR toggle for the app on Android is "experimental." Things can go either way, so we'll have to play it by ear from here on out.

While we wait for what comes next, Netflix detailed its plans for 2024, which, surprise (not really), includes another price hike. Earlier this year, the streaming platform seemingly saw the end-user as the catalyst behind its ongoing investments. While the company said that a reason behind a price hike could deal with "inflation or higher data center costs," its plans for entertainment were also a factor.

Even if users don't actively engage or care about certain pieces of entertainment, a price hike will still hit, regardless.

Prime Video recently increased its subscription by $2.99 for an ad-free experience, yet its in-video navigation has been a big issue since its inception. Despite charging ever-increasing prices, many of these platforms still let users deal with their clunky interfaces. So why are streaming platforms forcing customers to pay more while offering an average user experience?

Platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Max, etc., have replaced traditional cable subscriptions as a go-to source of entertainment. According to a recent study, Americans spend 20 hours a week on these platforms and pay an average of $46 per month for these services. The reason is the wide variety of content that is constantly refreshed on the platform weekly, sometimes even daily. However, in their pursuit of content acquisition, these streaming giants seem to be neglecting one crucial point—user experience.

According to a recent survey conducted by Forbes Home, Amazon Prime Video has the second-highest number of subscribers in 2024 (200 million). However, only 14 percent of the respondents felt it was easy to navigate through its UI.

The woes of a clunky UI

For many users, fast-forwarding and rewinding or navigating Prime Video’s clunky UI can be bothersome. The interface sort of lags when you try to scrub within the video, making it difficult for users to gauge where they actually left off. 

A Reddit thread showcases the problems users face today on Amazon Prime Video. One user even goes so far as to say that the platform has the worst user interface. 

“Some of the original Amazon content is worth watching, but that’s all they have going for them. It’s truly hilarious that Amazon is one of the biggest corporations in the world. They spent $1 Billion on their ‘Lord of the Rings’ TV show, and yet they can’t even get something as basic as a functional user interface right,” a user added.

Another user comments that “much like Amazon’s product search nowadays, their Prime Video search is hot garbage. And now they’re adding ads; they might as well just give up altogether now.”

Richard Lachman, the director of digital media in the RTA School of Media at Toronto Metropolitan University, says people often don’t find features in common when switching platforms, which can lead to a frustrating experience. “Some features aren’t easily available, some are buggy, and some aren’t available on all platforms,” he added.

Amazon Prime isn’t the only platform that has been criticized for its UI. Hulu and Max (formerly HBO Max) also had users complaining about navigation inconsistency and overall glitchy UI.

Mia Eltiste, a user experience (UX) researcher based in Austin, Texas, reviews streaming platforms and their interfaces on TikTok. In one of her videos, she points out that Hulu’s navigation bar keeps disappearing when returning to the home screen. “Do not put your navigation on the top bar; put it on the side,” Eltiste states.

As users scroll down vertically, the bar keeps disappearing, but when it’s on the side, it’s easier to access. She adds that the platform should ensure the navigation bar is available on all pages—not just the home screen.

Moreover, while everyone feels that Netflix has nailed its UI, many feel the search bar still needs work, and watching the end credits of a series or movie seems impossible because the UI jumps to the next episode or movie you can watch. Android Central’s Jerry Hildenbrand agrees with the sentiment and says that he finds it frustrating to search for things to watch. 

“Netflix looks nice and is easy to use, but it doesn’t show me enough content. Nobody wants to use the search from their phone, so it’s important to show me what ya got.”

Striking a balance between content acquisition and UI

Lachman says the business strategy for several of these platforms isn’t focused on user experience as a differentiator but on content acquisition. It gets to the point where some services are rushed to launch, “spending the bulk of their budget on content without mature tech/UX teams and a priority on understanding and responding to user experiences.”

He feels that user complaints about UX are not a reason people choose to unsubscribe to streaming services, but this is set to change as users start taking UI into consideration when deciding to leave or subscribe to a service. “If there are fewer players, all with high-quality content, then the UX teams may gain some priority in decision-making and budgets.”

According to Ampere Analysis, global streaming services are set to increase their total content spending by 7 percent in 2024 to $46 billion. Netflix will spend $17 billion this year acquiring content, while Amazon’s total video and music expense in 2023 was $18.9 billion.

Back in 2022, Amazon Prime Video redesigned its home page, giving it a modern facelift. The current UI features a simplified navigation menu, a new Live TV page, and redesigned carousels for better content discovery. However, this redesign focused on highlighting their broad selection of content and not on the basics of how the app functions.

How can platforms do better?

According to Eltiste, any platform that wants to improve its user experience should focus on being functional, reliable, and usable. Still, many companies don’t even think about it being a pleasurable experience on their platform.

Lachman says that a better way to approach UI is to focus on usage and content consumption. Companies should also pay attention to user frustrations and track social media complaints about the UX and product features. 

In 2023, Max made some changes to its user experience amid the merger between HBO Max and Discovery Plus into one platform. Following complaints about its glitchy interface, TechCrunch reported that Max was set to gain an updated user interface with various improvements to deliver a seamless transition for existing HBO Max subscribers across most platforms.

Lachman notes that companies need to prioritize UX in budget, hiring, and strategy. “Make sure user experience champions are the key members of decision-making and empower them to dedicate resources to improving the interface.”

As the streaming landscape constantly changes, focusing solely on content acquisition might not be enough to attract or retain subscribers. Platforms also need to prioritize user feedback, which could help them retain their subscribers in the long run.

What you need to know

• Netflix today announced its fourth-quarter 2023 financial results, and also released a letter to shareholder. 
• There was also a live interview with co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters, as well as the company's financial leaders, streamed and posted to Netflix's Investor Relations YouTube channel.
• In the letter, Netflix shared its financial goals for 2024, which include price hikes.

Be prepared to pay more for Netflix in 2024 and maybe every year after that. On Tuesday, the company released its fourth-quarter financial results for 2023 and provided a letter to shareholders. Within the letter, Netflix said it plans to continue raising the prices of its plans going forward. 

"As we invest in and improve Netflix, we'll occasionally ask our members to pay a little extra to reflect those improvements," the letter said. "Which in turn helps drive the positive flywheel of additional investment to further improve and grow our service."

As the company's own words layout, Netflix price hikes aren't related to any one factor. Reasons that a streaming and production company like Netflix might need to raise prices are inflation or higher data center costs, but these line items aren't specifically mentioned. Instead, Netflix phrases its statement to investors in a way that suggests it will continually raise prices so that end users subsidize investments. 

Netflix has begun an effort to push customers to either more expensive or ad-supported plans. The cheapest ad-free plan, the Standard plan, now costs $15.50 per month. That's because the company's Basic plan is being phased out for new and returning customers, per the letter and Netflix's plans and pricing page. Current subscribers to the Basic plan can keep their plan until it is changed or canceled by the user. 

The Standard with Ads plan costs $7, which means it is less than half the price of the cheapest ad-free plan. That gap has never been greater, and it is intentional. Aside from raising plan prices to match investments, Netflix also wants to push people to its ad-supported plans. 

"Scaling our ads business represents an opportunity to tap into significant new revenue and profit pools over the medium to longer term," Netflix said in the letter. "On the advertiser side, we continue to improve the targeting and measurement we offer our customers."

Password and account sharing is still on Netflix's mind, but the company thinks it has "successfully addressed account sharing." It says "many millions" of users have shifted to Transfer Profile and Extra Member features," but didn't provide concrete numbers. 

It appears that Netflix users will be expected to pay more for the company's ongoing investments, even if those users don't take advantage of them. For example, Netflix is paying $5 billion to air WWE Raw on its streaming service for a 10-year period that starts next year. That $5 billion has to come from somewhere, and deals like this one could be a factor in future price increases. 

Regardless of whether a Netflix user cares about WWE Raw, they might be forced to pay for it if the company's letter is any indication. This is a different approach to how other streaming services, like Hulu, tackle live programming. Hulu has different tiers for live sports and entertainment, so users can choose whether or not to pay for it. 

While we don't know the exact details, Netflix is saying that price hikes are a matter of when — not if. 

There are many reasons to cancel your Netflix account nowadays, even if it's still considered to be the largest and most popular streaming service around. Maybe you're sick of the price increases or new device restrictions, or maybe they simply keep cancelling your favorite shows. No matter the reason, if you're looking to ditch your Netflix subscription, we can tell you how to do it in minutes.

If you're just trying to save a little money, you can consider downgrading to the "Basic with Ads" plan for just $6.99 per month. This entry pricing tier gives you instant access to most TV shows and films in the Netflix library in HD (not all titles are included, unfortunately) with an average of about four minutes of ads per hour of content streamed.

If that doesn't work for you, the ad-free "Standard" plan costs $15.49 per month, and the "Premium" plan is $22.99/month, respectively. Existing subscribers might be on the old Basic plan that was $9.99/month and they are grandfathered in at the price until they change or cancel. But this option is no longer available to new subscribers.

With Netflix cracking down on password sharing, the latter two plans include an option to add "extra member slots" for an additional $7.99/mo. This would give someone access to their own unique account and password, but the fee would appear on your bill. It's an option to consider for grandparents, college kids, or others who want to save money. You just need a generous family member or friend who is willing to sign up for the add-on.

How to cancel Netflix

1. Log in to your account on Netflix.com.

2. When the page loads, click on your main account. It will open up to the Netflix streaming page.

3. Hover over your profile image in the top right-hand corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.

4. Click on Account.

5. Your account information will now be displayed. Click the button on the left that says Cancel Membership.

6. When the next page loads, click Finish Cancellation.

7. A new screen will let you know that your membership has been canceled and will show a final date for when you'll no longer be able to stream shows and movies.

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What if I have Netflix through T-Mobile?

If you've signed up through T-Mobile's Netflix on Us promotion, things are a little different. This is a perk for T-Mobile subscribers that sees the company covering the cost of your subscription, up to a certain amount.

Because you're being billed through T-Mobile and not directly through Netflix, you'll have to visit T-Mobile support and follow the steps in your account to remove Netflix on Us.

Reasons to consider keeping your membership

While Netflix may lose some content it's showcased for years, there are still plenty of movies and series to keep you entertained for hours. One of the biggest reasons to stay is Netflix's catalog of originals that you won't find anywhere else — such as Stranger Things, Bridgerton, Squid Game, and The Witcher.

Other streaming services to consider

If you just canceled your Netflix account and you're looking for another way to enjoy your favorite content, check out some of the streaming deals below. Some of these sites even have streaming service free trials that'll let you explore massive entertainment libraries for a limited time at no cost to you.

• Streaming deals: Disney+ | HBO Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+ 

What you need to know

• Verizon is bringing a Netflix and Max streaming perk bundle with ads to its myPlan cellular program.
• The company states those enrolled in Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, or Unlimited Ultimate can grab the bundle on December 7.
• As a $10 per month add-on bundle, consumers can save around $7 per month as Verizon looks to reduce the "churn rate" consumers typically leave behind.

Verizon is preparing to introduce a new perk bundle for consumers looking to grab its myPlan wireless program payment plan. According to the cellular provider, consumers will be able to grab a Netflix and Max streaming bundle on December 7. More importantly, consumers should know that this bundle will deliver content from both Netflix and Max with ads.

Since this is wrapped in Verizon's myPlan program, the perk bundle will cost $10 per month on top of your regular phone bill.

Verizon states users can grab the Netflix/Max with ads bundle if they are an Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, or an Unlimited Ultimate customer. If you're looking to grab a myPlan subscription for a single line, it will cost you $65/month, $80/month, and $100/month, respectively.

Enrolling is relatively straightforward, alongside a breakdown of how much consumers could save with a bundled perk.

Max's ad-supported plan has remained at $9.99 throughout its merge with Discovery — the service was also quite early in bringing this to consumers. Netflix's version arrived in October 2022 at $6.99 a month and with a few drawbacks. The service only offers streamed content at 720p, and even then, not every show or movie is available to view.

With that, Verizon's bundle of both plans could save consumers around $7 a month through myPlan's perks.

The plan was first rumored in November and could be seen as a stress reliever for consumers in the streaming space. It's not a secret that we typically purchase a month or two of a streaming service, see what we want, and leave. Verizon recognized this, and its Consumer Group CEO, Sowmyanarayan Sampath, stated bundling such popular platforms could reduce the "churn rate" by 60 to 70%.

Meanwhile, a new rumor suggests Verizon may also pair Apple TV Plus and Paramount Plus together, similar to its Netflix and Max add-on perk.

•  Streaming deals: Disney+ | Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+

What you need to know

• Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas will each come to the Google Play Store, with new apps optimized for mobile.
• The games will be free for Netflix subscribers of every tier, and will be available starting Dec. 14.
• You can pre-register to play the games starting now. They'll also be available on iOS and in the Netflix mobile app. 

Netflix is known for its on-demand streaming and password-sharing crackdown, but the service has been making strides with its push into gaming, especially with the latest announcement related to the GTA series.

Some of you might be surprised to learn that your Netflix subscription includes access to more than 80 mobile games. But the biggest game on Netflix, by far, will soon be Grand Theft Auto. Netflix announced yesterday that Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition will be available to subscribers free of charge starting Dec. 14. 

The trilogy includes Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, and each game will be optimized for mobile gameplay. Since the newest of those titles was released in 2004, any of the best Android phones will have more than enough power to run a trilogy game smoothly. 

Netflix says that these GTA games will be available on the Google Play Store, App Store, and in Netflix's mobile app. There are already listings for the apps on the Play Store and App Store, with Netflix listed as the app developer, although separate listings from Rockstar can still be found on the Play Store.

Although the company listed Dec. 14 as the release date for the GTA trilogy in its press release, the app pages in the App Store list Dec. 15 as the expected release date. On the Play Store, the pages only reveal the app is "coming soon."

Presumably, after downloading the game, you'll need to sign in with your active Netflix account to confirm your subscriptions. Then, you should be all set to play around in Liberty City, Vice City, or San Andreas on your mobile device. 

Mobile games likely won't be a reason to buy Netflix, but it could be a way to get more value out of your existing subscription. That could be a big factor as the company continues to raise subscription prices. Currently, the standard plan costs a whopping $15.49 per month.

However, Netflix said that the games add "further value to all Netflix memberships," which means people on the standard with ads plan ($6.99/month) should be able to play the GTA trilogy for free. The company also noted that the games are completely ad-free.

If you already have a Netflix plan, it can't hurt to download the GTA trilogy on your mobile device. It's a pretty neat time-waster, and although graphics have come a long way since the trilogy debuted, they're still fun games. You can register to play the games now, with availability starting next month. 

What you need to know

• Verizon is allegedly preparing to offer a $10 bundle for Netflix and Max.
• The plan is reportedly in the works to reduce the churn rate on the streaming services.
• Max and Netflix are expected to have a shared revenue model with the new bundle.

Verizon wants to bring the country's popular Netflix and Max streaming services' ad-supported tier under a single roof with a cost-effective plan, reports The Wall Street Journal.

According to WSJ, Verizon will likely introduce a new $10 plan that will include Netflix's ad-supported tier, which costs $6.99, and Max's ad-supported tier, which is priced at $9.99. In total, these plans would cost $17, yet subscribers could receive a nice price reduction to $10 if the alleged Verizon plan comes into action.

WSJ further notes that by bundling their plans with major tech companies like Apple and Amazon and carriers like Verizon and Comcast, streaming companies may decrease churn and boost customer acquisition.

Customers have a habit of hopping onto streaming services to watch their favorite shows and hop off when they are done with the show, which is currently increasing the churn rate. 

At the recent Paley International Council Summit, Verizon's Consumer Group CEO Sowmyanarayan Sampath stated that bringing such bundles would reduce the churn rate by 60-70% on subscription services. Further, both streaming giants are expected to share the revenue with Verizon.

People familiar with the matter suggest that the alleged new bundle will be catered to Verizon's "myPlan" wireless customers. The telecommunications company is believed to introduce the discounted bundle in the coming weeks, and the alleged move comes after streaming services, including Netflix, were seen hiking their plans over the past couple of years. It accounts for around a 25% increase, notes the WSJ report.

Max was an early adopter in bringing the ad-supported tier in 2021 for $9.99. Meanwhile, Netflix introduced a similar tier in 2022 for $6.99. While other premium tiers in Max and Netflix have seen a cost rise, the ad-supported tiers largely remained the same.

Verizon bringing these together should significantly increase the user base for their ad-supported tiers since the plan is much cheaper. If the move is successful, we can likely expect more collaborations to follow across the streaming giants.

• Streaming deals: Disney+ | Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+

What you need to know

• Documents from the Google vs Epic antitrust case show the former once offered Netflix a unique deal to use its billing service only.
• Internal Netflix documents show Google offered it a 10% fee on sales so it wouldn't use its own billing, effectively consuming all earned revenue.
• Netflix declined, stating Google's billing could not "outperform" its own service.

As the Google and Epic Games antitrust case continues, more information is coming to light highlighting the former's past of offering deals to app developers.

According to The Verge, documents presented before the court during the Google vs. Epic case show that the former attempted to offer a deal to Netflix to avoid it effectively taking all revenue. Since Netflix's own billing once existed through its Android app, Google was willing to chop down its service fee to 10% so Netflix would only offer Play Store billing back in 2017.

This would've allowed Netflix to retain 90% of its sales while Google could take a small portion.

Evidence in court showed this was part of a "platform development partner" under a Google program called "LRAP++." This was a deal Google offered after Netflix originally had a 3% fee, followed by a 15% sales fee, according to a video featuring Paul Perryman, Netflix's vice president of business development.

However, Netflix declined Google's offer as it estimated it could lose revenue annually. An internal document read, "Assuming all Android in-app signups came through GPB (Google Play Billing), Netflix would lose ~$250M USD on 1 year of signups, even when accounting for the incremental uplift."

The service argued further, stating it couldn't "see a scenario where Google’s payment system would outperform, or even match our own." And it's no shock that Netflix doesn't pay Google anything, as those looking to subscribe must do so through their browser.

Google spokesperson Dan Jackson told The Verge, "It’s no secret that Google Play offers a range of fees that take into account the varying needs of our developer ecosystem or economics of different industries or app verticals, like streaming video."

Information coming to light follows on the heels of confirmation that Google once offered Fortnite creator Epic Games $147 million to remain on the Play Store. The company had removed Epic's game as it gave users a way to purchase in-game currency without going through Google. This was in "violation" of store guidelines, prompting its removal. Ever since, the game has been non-existent on the Play Store, a choice Epic has stuck by as it avoids the harsh 30% fees imposed on developers.

Google's decision to attempt to make a deal with Epic was layered with fear as it could've spurred a "contagion effect," giving other developers the idea to leave, as well.

However, Epic Games continues to argue in court that Google's sheer "control" and discouraging "disadvantages" imposed on apps that leave is disheartening.

What you need to know

• Netflix has announced an immediate price hike for select subscribers in the United States, France, and the UK.
• In the US, the Basic and Premium plans will increase to $11.99 and $22.99 per month, respectively.
• The Ad plan and Standard plan will remain the same price.

The streaming giant Netflix dropped its latest earnings report on Wednesday, and amid news about revenue growth and an increase in subscribers, the streaming service also announced that they would be increasing prices on a number of their subscription plans. 

As a result of the price hike, the monthly cost of the Basic and Premium plans in the United States will increase to $11.99 and $22.99, respectively. In the United Kingdom, the Basic and Premium plans will increase to £7.99 and £17.99 per month, while French subscribers will see an increase to €10.99 and €19.99 for the same two plans. Keep in mind that Netflix ditched the Basic plan in the U.S. and U.K. earlier this year, although current Basic subscribers can remain on the plan until they cancel or change plans.

The change goes into effect immediately.

This price increase follows Netflix's recent crackdown on password-sharing and the introduction of the new Basic with Ads plan last year. Netflix is also the latest in a long line of streaming services to have increased their prices in 2023, joining the likes of Disney Plus, Paramount Plus, and Max. 

The last time Netflix raised prices was in January 2022, when its plans increased by as much as $2 per month.

In addition to news about the price increase, Wednesday's earnings report revealed that Netflix added 8.8 million subscribers in the last quarter alone, an increase of 9% compared to last year. As a result of this boost in membership, the streaming giant also generated $8.54 billion of revenue last quarter, which is ahead of forecast. 

This success is likely to be attributed to the aforementioned password-sharing crackdown, which could encourage other streaming services to follow suit — much to the chagrin of subscribers.

• Streaming deals: Disney+ | Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+ 

Black Friday is just around the corner; if you're looking to pick up a discounted TV this holiday season, check out our guide to the best Black Friday TV deals (so far).

What you need to know

• A report states Netflix is looking to increase subscription prices of its standard and premium tiers in the U.S. and Canada first.
• While the potential size of the hike is unknown, Netflix will reportedly wait until the SAG-AFTRA actor strike ends and implement the increase "a few months" later.
• Netflix has steadily increased prices in the U.S. and other regions while also cutting prices by nearly half in other regions to retain users.

Netflix is reportedly in the early stages of a future price hike for its subscription plans. According to the Wall Street Journal, its sources allege Netflix's price hike will involve all of its ad-free subscriptions. However, this apparently won't take place until after the actor's (SAG-AFTRA) strike concludes.

At the moment, it hasn't been stated how large of a price increase Netflix is considering. What is evident through the report is that the streaming service is considering enacting such a hike in several regions around the world, with the U.S. and Canada potentially serving as the start of it.

The report doesn't quite narrow down how close this price increase is for consumers. The actors' strike is still underway in Hollywood, although they are currently working through negotiations, and depending on how things go, it could see a resolution relatively soon, especially since the writers' strike just came to an end.

Netflix subscribers are no strangers to price increases, as the company has steadily done so for a while now. As it now stands, the standard plan sits at $15.49/month, and the premium plan is available for $19.99/month. The company's new ad-supported plan is ready for interested consumers for $6.99 a month. Alongside this plan's rollout in the U.S., consumers were introduced to Netflix's new way of further monetizing the tier by including an additional $7.99 fee for those still looking to share their accounts.

Unfortunately, those are the only three options consumers with Netflix will find, considering it recently ditched the "Basic" tier altogether.

On a related note, Netflix is in an interesting spot with pricing when factoring in the latest price cuts in several countries earlier this year. While these cuts never saw the light of day in the U.S., places across Asia, Africa, and Latin America had subscription prices cut by nearly 50%.

This was a move in contrast to Netflix's originally stated plan of searching for spots they could afford to increase prices rather than decrease. However, this quick change of heart is likely due to Netflix attempting to hold onto subscribers in the aforementioned regions.

Android Central has reached out to Netflix for a comment and will update this article when we hear back.

•  Streaming deals: Disney+ | Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+

What you need to know

• Disney's crackdown on password-sharing, now a reality, will begin in Canada as of November 1.
• The company sent an email to the streaming service's Canadian subscribers on Wednesday.
• Disney CEO Bob Iger announced these plans last month, echoing Netflix's success with a similar restriction, as the company seeks new ways to further monetization.

Last month, Disney announced plans to introduce a password-sharing crackdown for its streaming service, following in Netflix’s footsteps. Now, it looks like those plans are coming to fruition — at least in Canada.

The company reportedly sent an email to its Canadian subscribers on Wednesday detailing the new account-sharing rules (via The Verge). According to the new policy, Disney will begin charging extra fees for password-sharing with people outside of your household starting on November 1.

“We’re implementing restrictions on your ability to share your account or login credentials outside of your household,” the email reads, according to The Verge.

Apparently, as further noted by the folks at Mobile Syrup, new terms are being added to Canadian subscriber agreements in the form of a dedicated account-sharing section, which will coincide with the launch of the new policy.

“Unless otherwise permitted by your Service Tier, you may not share your subscription outside of your household,” the terms read, noting that Disney will analyze your account to determine if you’re complying with the new rules. “If we determine that you have violated this Agreement, we may limit or terminate access to the Service and/or take any other steps as permitted by this Agreement.”

Disney CEO Bob Iger warned about the impending crackdown on password-sharing during last month’s Q3 earnings call, where he said the company was exploring ways of addressing sharing accounts. He noted that Disney now had the “technical capability” to monitor user sign-ins, which makes such a restriction possible. As we know, it’s not the first streaming service to put its foot down on sharing passwords outside of your household, as Netflix started charging for extra users on your account earlier this year. 

Though Netflix’s restriction was considered widely unpopular among users, it proved to be a good move for the company in terms of revenue growth. So, it’s no surprise that Disney wants to follow suit as the company seeks out new ways to further monetization.

We still have more to learn about Disney's password-sharing crackdown and what it means for subscribers. For now, Disney+ users may find solace in a new ad-supported bundle, combining its services with Hulu.

What you need to know

• In its earnings call, Disney's CEO Bob Iger stated the company is looking to introduce a password-sharing crackdown much like Netflix.
• Iger stated policies will begin changing later in 2023 with new "tactics" to monetize it arriving in 2024.
• The report details Disney Plus' observed a slight decrease in subscribers this past quarter.
• Disney announced a new ad-supported bundle arriving for U.S. consumers on September 6 for $19.99.

Disney's head sheds some light on a password-sharing practice Netflix has become notorious for.

During Disney's earnings call, the company's CEO, Bob Iger, informed that there are plans in the pipeline to introduce a password-sharing crackdown similar to Netflix (via The Verge). In questioning Iger about if Disney was aware of how many users have been password-sharing, he declined to comment. However, he added the number was "significant."

Disney's new future seems to be approaching as Iger explains Disney will "begin to update our subscriber agreements with additional terms and our sharing policies" later in 2023.

The streaming service apparently has the "technical capability" to monitor user sign-ins but will look to implement "tactics" to further drive monetization of this new policy sometime in 2024.

Though controversial, Netflix's decision to start charging users for sharing accounts accounted for 80% of its earned revenue in Q2 2023. That may have fueled the decision for Disney to look for ways to further monetization, which could look similar to the $7.99 additional fee Netflix imposed on users sharing with members outside of their households.

The earnings report for the company looked a little bleak as it reported a 1% decline in its Disney Plus streaming service, going from 46.3 million subscribers in April to 46 million in July. Hulu made an incremental increase to 44 million subscribers, while the Disney Plus and Hotstar match suffered significantly, dropping 24% of its subscribers.

Although, the service ended the previous quarter with an earned revenue of $22.3 billion, a 4% increase.

Iger remains optimistic about Disney's streaming future, stating, "Moving forward, I believe three businesses will drive the greatest growth in value creation over the next five years."

Moreover, the company announced a new ad-support bundle, packaging Disney Plus Premium with Hulu's no-ads option for $19.99. Disney states the new plan will become available for U.S. consumers on September 6, with other countries in Europe and Canada on November 1.

This move by Disney was influenced by its "successful launch" of the ad-supported tier, which rolled out for U.S. consumers last year.

•  Streaming deals: Disney+ | Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+

What you need to know

• "My Netflix" is a new tab that sits next to the Home and "New & Hot" tabs on the Netflix app.
• It displays downloads, content you've liked, saved, and more across Netflix.
• The new tab is rolling out to iOS users first, coming to Android devices next month.

Netflix is getting a new tab on the home screen of its app for both iOS and Android devices globally, the company announced on Tuesday. "My Netflix" promises to help users save time when figuring out what to watch.

In the announcement blog post, Netflix states that My Netflix is "a one-stop shop tailored to you with easy shortcuts to help you choose what you want to watch." The new tab sits right next to the current "Home" and "New & Hot" sections in the app for iOS and Android devices.

My Netflix tab will include your existing downloads alongside movies and TV series you may have liked. Additionally, it will comprise trailers you've watched, reminders, and recently watched (or currently viewing) content featured on the streaming platform.

Essentially, the new tab will aggregate all the content you are or might be interested in, making it easier to get to the movies and shows you want to watch instead of scrolling endlessly through the rows on the Home tab. Netflix says that the more you interact with the app, such as watching a trailer or giving a movie or show a thumbs up, the more you'll see in the My Netflix tab.

The new tab will roll out to iOS devices first, starting this week, while Android users will have to wait till early August, which is merely a week away.

In other news, Netflix has recently axed its popular "Basic" plan in countries like the U.K. and the U.S., making users opt for the ad-supported plan if they want an entry-level tier to use the streaming platform.

Netflix said such controversial moves like paid account sharing have positively impacted the company, which gained 6 million subscribers per its recent earnings call. Apparently, more than 80% of last quarter's revenue was generated only through another controversial password-sharing crackdown approach.

•  Streaming deals: Disney+ | Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+ 

What you need to know

• Indian users who share their account passwords outside their households will receive a new email shortly.
• It will indicate users to manage their devices and transfer profiles for accounts, not from the same households.
• The strategy is expected to expand to more countries like Indonesia and Kenya.

Netflix in India has stated that it will send a new email to users sharing the streaming service subscription outside their households in the country.

One of the best streaming platforms has initially started restricting users from sharing passwords outside their households by setting up their primary location. The move first came to Canada, New Zealand, Spain, and the U.S. However, the streaming company is expanding to countries like India.

As part of the change, in its announcement blog post, Netflix stated that it would be sending an email to users who often share their account passwords outside their households. It has been a tradition that's been used very widely, especially in vast markets like India.

While emphasizing Netflix's flexibility to view on personal devices like the phone or TV at home or hotel, the company recommends transferring profiles if someone uses their account outside their households. Provided, they need to take a subscription separately.

The approach for the Indian market is slightly different because, for users in the U.S., Netflix is allowed to add an extra member to the existing plan if that person is using the account outside the household.

In yesterday's earnings announcement, Netflix stated that in countries like India, Indonesia, Croatia, and Kenya, it isn't offering the ability to add extra member options because it recently cut the prices of all plans in those regions. India has one of the lowest Netflix rates compared to the recently axed "Basic" plan (not for India) dubbed Netflix Mobile, which starts at Rs 149 ($1.82) that allows users to watch Netflix on either one phone or a tablet.

Netflix further mentioned in the earnings call that "tackling account sharing between households has been another focus as it undermines our ability to invest to improve Netflix for our paying members and grow our business." The investment here includes putting money into "new films and TV shows," the company added in the announcement blog post.

After India, the regions mentioned above might soon notice account and password-sharing restrictions. Users in these regions are recommended to use the transfer profile tool and get a new suitable subscription plan to continue using Netflix.

•  Streaming deals: Disney+ | Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+ 

What you need to know

• Netflix's positive Q2 was attributed to its password-sharing crackdown, which accounted for more than 80% of its earned revenue.
• The company reported gaining 5.9 million subscribers in the quarter, bringing its global subscriptions to 238.4 million.
• Netflix earned $8.2 billion in Q2 with an operating profit of $1.8 billion.

Netflix announced its financial earnings for Q2 2023, and it appears as though the streaming giant has discovered some newfound success. The service states that its controversial password-sharing crackdown strategy has accounted for "more than" 80% of its revenue this past quarter. Netflix has gained 5.9 million subscribers in the second quarter, pushing its global streaming subscriptions to 238.4 million.

The report shows that the streaming service has experienced an 8% year-over-year boost in subscribers this past quarter. Netflix states it has observed an increasing amount of sign-ups across the many regions its password-sharing crackdown has taken place in over cancellations.

Overall, Netflix's Q2 2023 earned revenue sits at $8.2 billion, with an operating profit of $1.8 billion. The company states these numbers were "generally in-line with our forecasts."

The numbers show that Netflix's revenue for the second quarter has experienced a 2.7% year-over-year growth, as well.

Netflix anticipates that it will continue to grow (revenue-wise) as we move through the second half of 2023 as more areas adopt its "paid sharing" strategy and join its ad-supported plan. Additionally, the service has an operating margin target of 18% to 20% by this year's end.

Lastly, Netflix states projections anticipate $8.5 billion in revenue for Q3.

The "paid sharing" Netflix referenced quite heavily in its Q2 report is the decisions it made to enforce a platform free from password sharing. The company has made it so those looking to share a singular Netflix account must pay an additional $7.99 per person they wish to tack on. 

Moreover, if users would like to dodge the unfortunate price uptick, those along for the ride will have to purchase their own subscription and transfer their Netflix data, as well.

The other key contributor to Netflix's positive Q2 performance was its ad-supported tier. The company rolled this out in the U.S. for $7 a month back in October 2022. While its competitors have already opted for a move like this, Netflix offered its entertainment at 720p but with a little less content available.

Although Netflix has seemingly enjoyed the positive effects of its ad-supported tier so much that it has recently ditched its "Basic" plan in the U.S. and UK, forcing people to grab the ad-filled one instead.

What you need to know

• After Canada, users in the U.K. and the U.S. doesn't have the "Basic" plan on Netflix.
• The current starting plan in the said regions starts at $6.99 and £4.99, respectively.
• The existing "Basic" plan users can continue to enjoy the service.

After axing the cheapest ad-free tier in Canada, Netflix has chosen to do the same in other regions, including the U.S. and the U.K.

The expected move comes from the streaming giant this morning, as noted by Cord Busters, in favor of diverting users to its ad-supported tier in the countries mentioned above. The existing "Basic" plan users would continue to utilize the services unless they choose to cancel or change subscription models. 

However, new customers wouldn't be able to do so. Instead, they need to opt for an ad-supported plan if they're looking for an affordable plan to join Netflix.

Users in the U.S., after the new change, can continue to enjoy Netflix either through the ad-supported plan, which is $6.99 per month, followed by $15.49 per month, for the standard plan, and the premium subscription plan costs $19.99 per month. Similarly, in the U.K., the plans start at £4.99, £10.99, and £15.99 per month, respectively.

In a statement to The Verge, Netflix's spokesperson Kumiko Hidaka has confirmed removing the "Basic" plan. Hidaka further added the streaming platform's "starting prices of $6.99 in the U.S. and £4.99 in the U.K. are lower than the competition."

The Cord Busters further implies that after Canada, and now followed by the U.K. and the U.S.; other regions may be in the pipeline of getting the respective "Basic" plan removed in favor of the adverts' supported plan introduced last year. It included users enjoying their favorite shows for a lower price but at the expense of watching several minutes of ads per hour of streaming.

The axed "Basic" plan included 720p quality streaming, wherein the "Standard with Ads" plan supports 1080p streaming similar to the "Standard" plan. However, the ad-supported plan is limited, as users cannot download content on supported devices.

Regardless, the "Basic" plan costing $9.99 in the U.S. and other regions, sat right between the ad-supported and standard plans; it offered somewhat the best of both worlds without burning a hole in the pocket.

•  Streaming deals: Disney+ | Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+ 

What you need to know

• Netflix updates its account transfer tool to let users take data from a shared account over to an "existing" account.
• Users must enter the email and password associated with the pre-existing account before transferring data.
• Netflix rolled out account transfers back in October as a way of cracking down on password-sharing.

Netflix updates its account transfer tool, making it a little easier to survive the password-sharing crackdown. 

In an updated blog post, Netflix states that the account transfer tool will now let users transfer their profile information from their shared account to a pre-existing one. Previously, the tool only allowed users to take data from a shared account and place it into a new account — which didn't sit well with many.

As explained through a support page, users can transfer their data to an already existing account by heading into the Account page > Profiles and Parental controls > Transfer. Users will be prompted to begin the account transfer and to select the "existing account" option. After entering the email and password for that existing account, users can "confirm" and everything should be ported over.

The items users can take are their profile name and icon, recommendations, viewing history, My List titles, games, settings, and other such items.

These transferrable items are nothing new as Netflix ushered in account transfers last year in October. However, the idea of transferring your data was done due to Netflix's thought that sharing dampened its "ability to invest in great new TV and films."

Since then, Netflix rolled out its very controversial password-sharing crackdown in the U.S. and other countries. The service gave tight-knit friend groups and families a choice: pay the additional charge or give it up entirely. To host an "extra" person, someone not in your household, the company has started charging users $7.99 on top of their pre-existing subscription since May.

This was perhaps the aftermath of Netflix's subscriber loss early on in 2022. After dropping around 200,000 subscribers, the company turned around and launched its cheap, ad-supported tier for users for $7 in an attempt to lure users back.

Unfortunately, these changes are a little odd considering streaming services, such as the newly launched Max, offer similar pricing to Netflix and without the additional cost for our loved ones.

•  Streaming deals: Disney+ | Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+

What you need to know

• New Netflix subscribers in Canada no longer have the option to choose the Basic tier.
• Existing subscribers, on the other hand, can keep their current plan unless they cancel or switch to a different tier.
• Users in the country can only select between the standard tier with ads, the ad-free standard plan, or the premium tier.
• Netflix also apparently plans to implement this new pricing model for existing Basic members in the future.

Netflix has quietly ditched the Basic tier in Canada, and existing subscribers on the Basic tier can remain on their plan as long as they don't cancel their account or switch to another plan.

The streaming platform quietly mentioned in a support page that the "Basic plan is no longer available for new or rejoining members." Costing $10 per month, the Basic tier was the cheapest Netflix plan without ads, but it only allowed for streaming on one device at a time and in HD (720p) quality.

Netflix is phasing out the Basic tier in favor of its new ad-supported plan, which costs CA$5.99 per month and allows for streaming on two devices at a time in Full HD quality. But if you don't want to be interrupted by ads, you can upgrade to the pricier standard or premium tier, priced at CA$16.49 and CA$20.99, respectively.

While the company states that the change will not affect existing members on the Basic tier, The Canadian Press reports that Netflix plans to remove its cheapest ad-free plan for existing subscribers "in the near future."

And as if the ongoing password-sharing crackdown isn't annoying enough for users in many parts of the world, the latest move may spark concerns that Netflix's latest cancellation will spread to other markets, including the U.S., with Canada serving only as a test bed yet again, as it did for the password-sharing restrictions, which have since gone global.

Killing the Basic tier is presumably part of Netflix's efforts to combat financial losses. Last year, the company revealed that it had lost subscribers for the first time in over a decade and was looking for new revenue streams. During its April earnings report, Netflix disclosed that it saw a higher "average revenue per membership" in the United States through the ads tier than via the more expensive Standard plan.

•  Streaming deals: Disney+ | Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+

On this week's episode of the Android Central Podcast, Shruti Shekar, Jerry Hildenbrand, Andrew Myrick, and Derrek Lee discuss Netflix cracking down on password-sharing Microsoft Copilot, the problem with the Pixel Tablet, Google paying $40m for location tracking, the Huawei Watch 4's unusual health feature, review the TicWatch Pro 5, and more!

LINKS

• Microsoft Copilot is what Google Assistant on ChromeOS should have been
• The Pixel Tablet isn't going to fix what's wrong with Android tablets on its own
• Netflix's controversial password-sharing crackdown hits the US
• Google agrees to pay Washington state $40 million over location tracking claims
• TicWatch Pro 5 review: There's a new sheriff in town
• The Huawei Watch 4 has an unusual health feature the Apple Watch has yet to pick up

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What you need to know

• Amazon Prime U.K. disses Netflix over its once claim that "love is sharing a password."
• Netflix has been rolling out its new plan to crack down on users sharing passwords with others since 2023 rolled in.
• Users must fork over some additional cash if they're sharing a password with someone who does not live in their home.

Shade is bring thrown, and it's for a reason many users can probably get behind after Netflix brought its new password-sharing crackdown to the United States.

Amazon Prime U.K. tweeted a singular image that reads, "Who's watching?" followed by multiple user profiles lined up to say, "Everyone who has our password," followed by a heart.

This comes as a response to a Tweet Netflix made back in 2017 to which the company stated, "Love is sharing a password." That love must not be as strong anymore as Netflix has continued to take steps toward a future where users cannot share their passwords with others unless they feel like forking over more money.

The Los Gatos-based company's decision to crack down on user password sharing with those not living in their "primary household" has been quite controversial. You could even say the video streaming industry was built on the back of password sharing, something Netflix might be foolish to let go of.

Nonetheless, Netflix first discussed its impending plan to reduce that chance back in October 2022. It was then we first learned about the company's plan to introduce "sub-accounts," a way for the primary account holder to pay for extra users on their account that don't live with them.

Since then, Netflix rolled out the sub-accounts to Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain. Most recently, these new changes have started to arrive in the U.S., and with that, some new guidelines. In its announcement, the company stated that a Netflix account "is for use by one household. Everyone living in that household can use Netflix wherever they are — at home, on the go, on holiday — and take advantage of new features like Transfer Profile and Manage Access and Devices."

These additional accounts will cost a person an extra $7.99 per month on top of whatever you're paying for your desired plan. It's a tough pill to swallow, and we're left feeling a little unloved if you catch our drift.

Although, it's not as if password sharing had ever been a problem for other streaming services or even Netflix, in particular. Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings, at one point in time, said he liked seeing people share their passwords with one another. On a lighter note, it doesn't seem like Amazon Prime is taking away users' ability to share their passwords anytime soon.

•  Streaming deals: Disney+ | HBO Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+

What you need to know

• Netflix has begun cracking down on password sharing in the United States.
• The company will notify account holders that are sharing their accounts with users outside their households.
• Users on the Standard and Premium plans can add one or two more members, respectively.

After teasing users for more than a year, Netflix will finally start charging U.S. subscribers for sharing their accounts with users outside of their households.

Netflix announced on Tuesday that it would begin sending emails to account holders, warning them about the change that could affect them starting today. Accounts with "extra members" may be charged $7.99 per month per member, lest they be kicked off the account.

"A Netflix account is for use by one household," the blog post states. "Everyone living in that household can use Netflix wherever they are — at home, on the go, on holiday — and take advantage of new features like Transfer Profile and Manage Access and Devices."

The notice emailed to account holders details how users can manage their accounts, including the new Transfer Profile tool introduced last year as an easy way to help extra members maintain their personal preferences and recommendations when they're kicked off someone else's account.

That said, if users want to keep the extra members on their accounts, they can do so, but with some restrictions. Those on the cheaper plans, such as the Standard with Ads and Basic, cannot add members to their accounts. However, Standard and Premium subscribers can add one or two extra members, respectively.

Once set up, these members will essentially have their own accounts and passwords, but their service will be paid for by the main account holder. Ultimately, it's cheaper than having their own separate, unattached account, as both supported plans cost $15.49 or more. But either way, you're forking over more money for Netflix "to invest heavily in a wide variety of new films and TV shows," as the company puts it.

Users within a household can also use the account while traveling, and the service offers guidelines on setting up a household, which is based on an IP address.

The move to crack down on password sharing has been controversial, to say the least, especially as the service continues to increase prices and cancel fan-favorite shows. The move was announced after the service saw its first drop in subscribers in early 2022, which was seemingly a wake-up call for Netflix.

The company then launched a cheaper, ad-supported tier to tempt subscribers back to the platform. It began charging for extra members in certain countries earlier this year, following a series of tests conducted last year in some Latin American countries.

Still, the move is a bit of a 360 for the company that once tweeted, "Love is sharing a password." It also comes at what seems like a questionable time for Netflix, as the new Max streaming service launches with more or less the same pricing but now with Discovery+ content included and without charging for extra members.

• Streaming deals: Disney+ | HBO Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+

What you need to know

• Netflix is updating the "My List" feature on mobile devices.
• Users will be able to filter through content in their list they have yet to watch.
• The feature is not yet coming to the Netflix app on larger screens just yet.

Netflix is constantly making small tweaks that can have a big impact on how you watch or discover content. The latest change comes to the "My List" feature, which is a collection of content viewers save to watch later.

As reported by TechCrunch, Netflix is introducing new filters for the list, allowing viewers to sort the content in alphabetical order, by release date, by content type, or the order in which it was added to the list. These should make it easy to sift through the seemingly ever-growing list of content users may add to their collection.

Additional filters will also help users find the content they have yet to watch. The new "Haven't Started" and "Started" filters will display the content based on what you have already watched and what you have yet to check out.

Since the My List feature doesn't automatically remove content after you've completed it, this could be a helpful way to finally get through some shows or films you may have forgotten you wanted to watch.

For now, it looks like the new filters will only be available on the mobile app for the time being, with the feature reaching Android phones first before rolling out on iOS over the next few weeks (via The Verge).

However, Netflix is adding a new feature for those of you that prefer to watch on TV screens or via streaming devices. The platform is soon launching a new "Coming soon" row, which will highlight upcoming movies and shows that users can add reminders for. That way, they won't miss the premier and hopefully won't be subject to spoilers.

The new "Coming soon" row will be available globally over the next few weeks.

• Streaming deals: Disney+ | HBO Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+

What you need to know

• Netflix is rolling out its account sharing crackdown in the United States and more countries this quarter.
• The service initially launched paid account sharing in Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain earlier this year.
• The new policy demands a fee from users if they want to share accounts with people outside their households.

Netflix enforced new restrictions on password sharing earlier this year in a handful of countries, but the end of Netflix account sharing is gradually picking up steam in more regions, with the United States and more territories following suit starting in the second quarter of 2023.

The streaming giant revealed plans to expand its crackdown on password sharing to additional markets in its first-quarter 2023 earnings report, charging users to add subaccounts for streamers mooching their Netflix access. In the United States, the platform will soon start charging fees for subaccounts when users from different households use the same account.

Netflix will require each subscriber to set a "primary location" for their account in the United States, just as it does in countries where paid sharing is already in effect. This will prevent anyone they don’t live with from using their account, with alerts to buy an extra subscription popping up on their screen.

Only up to two extra members per account are allowed, and fees per additional user vary by country. In Canada, for example, users will have to pay an additional CAD $7.99 on top of Netflix's standard subscription rates.

Netflix's policy change marked a significant shift in its approach to password sharing in the past. Like many of the leading streaming services, the platform has had no issues with multiple users accessing the same account over the past several years. Its co-founder, Reed Hastings, even once said that he liked seeing people share their Netflix subscription.

After experiencing one of its largest subscriber losses in ten years, Netflix began monetizing account sharing last year. 

Once implemented, Netflix subscribers in the United States will be able to remove certain freeloaders from their accounts. Alternatively, those moochers can migrate their profile to a new account to keep their preferences in place.

What you need to know

• Netflix was seen reducing subscription plans in over 30 countries.
• The move comes after the recent CEO change in January.
• These include nations across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The U.S. does not appear to be affected.

After seeing a significant shift in the business model late last year and a recent CEO change this year, Netflix has reportedly made several changes in subscriptions fee in several regions.

As noted by Wall Street Journal, Netflix quietly cut its tier plan changes in over 30 countries in recent weeks. Some plans are said to have seen prices cut in half, although the changes appear to vary by region.

The WSJ reports that Middle Eastern nations like Yemen, Jordan, Libya, and Iran have seen their prices reduced. Regions in Africa, such as Kenya, and Europe, such as Croatia, Slovenia, and Bulgaria, also appear to have experienced this price reduction.

The list goes on to Latin American nations — Nicaragua, Ecuador, and Venezuela, next to Asian countries involving Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. The United States does not appear to be affected by the price cuts.

The report further indicates that the move contrasts with what Netflix's co-Chief Executive Greg Peters said during the company's January earnings call. As Peters stated, they were looking for regions where they could afford to raise the tier prices rather than decrease them.

Analysts imply this reduction in plans is against the trend that can be seen across other competitors who have been steadily raising plan prices, at least in the U.S. in recent months.

According to a Netflix spokesperson from the WSJ report, Netflix is updating the pricing of its plans in countries in order to provide an experience to users that exceeds the streaming platform's exceptions. "We know members have never had more choices when it comes to entertainment," she added.

Indeed, Netflix's recent moves seem motivated by the company's growing competition with streaming services like HBO Max, Disney+, Apple TV+, and so on. Despite Netflix being considered one of the popular services, the increased competition has pressured the service to make drastic changes. As a result, Netflix introduced a new cost-effective plan that involved users paying low in favor of watching ads, the first time it has ever happened on the platform.

The company also recently set new guidelines for accounts and started charging users for "sub-accounts" or members on the account that are not part of the same household.

•  Streaming deals: Disney+ | HBO Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+ 

On this week's episode of the Android Central Podcast Shruti Shekar, Jerry Hildenbrand, Nicholas Sutrich, and guest Derrek Lee dive into some hardware problems with the Google Pixel 7 Pro, impressions of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, WhatsApp spam, Netflix's concerning new password policy, and so much more!

LINKS

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Six things we want to see
• The Galaxy S23 stands out because it doesn't
• My Pixel 7 Pro is shedding parts, and I'm not alone
• WhatsApp spam is getting out of control in India
• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra camera review: More megapixels isn't always better

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What you need to know

• Netflix accounts in certain countries will now require you to set a "primary location" in order to access them.
• You'll have to pay extra to add people who don't live in this location to your account, in addition to the higher fees for more simultaneous streams.
• Netflix says you'll be able to access the account while you travel, though most likely only for a limited time. 
• Starting February 8, users in Canada, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain will join this new system.

Netflix's official stance on password sharing has gone from "Love is sharing a password" in 2017 to the claim that a Netflix account is "intended for one household" and that password sharing is "impacting our ability to invest in great new TV and films." 

All those Netflix one-season cancellations? It's basically our fault for not giving Netflix more money.

At least, that's what Chengyi Long, Netflix's Director of Product Innovation, implies in a press release on Wednesday, outlining the rollout of its new geo-locked accounts in four countries. Starting today, February 8, these Netflix users will be required to set a "primary location" in order to access their films, shows, and games. 

For those who share an account from multiple locations, they'll essentially have two options: pay a monthly fee to add a second location to that account or transfer the Netflix profile to a "new account, which they pay for," the press release explains rather snarkily. 

Netflix built a new transfer profile tool to relocate your "personalized recommendations, viewing history, My List, saved games and more" to a new account, so you don't have to start from scratch. 

Otherwise, Netflix will charge CAD$7.99 a month per person in Canada, NZD$7.99 in New Zealand, €3.99 in Portugal, and €5.99 in Spain. So in Canada, you'd have to pay roughly $23.48 for a Standard shared account or $27.98 for a Premium shared account. And you'll only be able to pay for one extra member with a Standard account, while the Premium option allows for just two extra members.

What about those who watch Netflix during their commutes or while traveling? Long assures that "Members can still easily watch Netflix on their personal devices or log into a new TV, like at a hotel or holiday rental," but doesn't explain the process. 

Rumors have suggested Netflix might let you temporarily relocate your primary location when staying somewhere remote, but only for a limited time. And it's unclear whether you can still stream Netflix on the mobile app if you're not connected to your primary wi-fi network.

This password-sharing crackdown will begin in Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain after Netflix tested the feature extensively in Latin America. And no doubt, larger territories like the United States and India will be next.

Netflix is currently in the midst of some economic tumult, with its ad-supported tier failing to make much of an impact, Netflix Games not attracting much user interest, and its co-founder stepping down as CEO. 

Its executives are hoping that forcing people to pay for their own accounts will turn the tide, but Netflix's problems go far beyond shared accounts. And there is no guarantee that the millions of people who spent years freeloading on other Netflix accounts — often while paying for and sharing another streaming service — will happily create and pay for new accounts.

• Streaming deals: Disney+ | HBO Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+

What you need to know

• Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has announced he is departing from his role at the company.
• COO Greg Peters will step up from his role to take Hastings' place as co-CEO alongside Ted Sarandos.
• Hastings will continue at Netflix as the executive chairman.

In a surprising move on Thursday, Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings announced that he is stepping down from his role as CEO, a position he has held for 25 years.

"I'm so proud of our first 25 years, and so excited about our next quarter of a century," Hastings said in the post. "We can do so much more to better entertain the world and deliver more joy to our members."

Taking his place is Netflix COO Greg Peters, who will be taking the helm as co-CEO alongside Ted Sarandos. Meanwhile, Hastings will remain at Netflix as the executive chairman. He notes that he has increasingly delegated management responsibilities to Peters and Sarandos for more than two years.

"It was a baptism by fire, given COVID and recent challenges within our business," Hastings continues. "But they've both managed incredibly well, ensuring Netflix continues to improve and developing a clear path to reaccelerate our revenue and earnings growth. So the board and I believe it's the right time to complete my succession."

The announcement comes as Netflix goes through a major shift in its business model. The streaming giant launched its ad-supported tier in late 2022 following its first subscriber drop in a decade. The company is also gearing up to crack down on freeloaders, where it will charge extra for users not in the same household.

It seems the new direction is paying off, as Netflix reported on Thursday that it saw its subscriber base grow by more than 6 million from the previous quarter to more than 230 million subscribers in Q4 2022. Netflix also saw its revenue increase by roughly 2% year-over-year.

• Streaming deals: Disney+ | HBO Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+

"We start 2023 with renewed momentum as a company and a clear path to reaccelerate our growth," Hastings finishes. "I'm thrilled about Ted and Greg's leadership, and their ability to make the next 25 years even better than the first."