Netflix may test new low-cost plans in certain areas. The popular streaming service plans to experiment with a cheaper version in some regions to try to boost sales, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said in Bloomberg article Monday. Reed didn't reveal when or where the company will test these cheaper plans.Netflix has more than 137 million subscribers worldwide, and the company's international subscriber base increased 5.87 million members to 78.64 million in one quarter, according to Netflix's third-quarter results.The streaming service is looking to expand in Asia for new customers, according to Bloomberg. Netflix introduced 17 new shows from five Asian countries last week. Netflix doesn't plan to lower the price of its cheapest tier, which starts at $7.99 in the US, according to Bloomberg. Instead, it'll test new plans that offer different features and cost less.Netflix didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. CNET's Gift Guide: The best place to find the perfect … [Read more...] about Netflix reportedly testing cheaper plans as it seek more subscribers
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Attenborough’s calming narration comes to Netflix in 2019 doc Our Planet
Two of the main people behind the BBC's modern wave of nature documentary series, including their iconic narrator, have signed on to make their next documentary project with Netflix. The soothing, British-accented tones of narrator Sir David Attenborough, along with Blue Planet and Planet Earth creator, director, and executive producer Alastair Fothergill, are the headline names for a new project, dubbed Our Planet. Netflix says this eight-part "natural history" documentary series will debut exclusively on its service on April 5, 2019. Further ReadingPlanet Earth II is “need a new TV” propaganda—if you get the right versionThe series includes a partnership with the World Wildlife Federation, along with statements from Attenborough about the "beauty and fragility" of our planet and the claim that humanity is "the greatest threat to the health of our home," but this all merely implies that Our Planet will heavily focus on conservation. The series' released teaser … [Read more...] about Attenborough’s calming narration comes to Netflix in 2019 doc Our Planet
Netflix is reportedly considering a cheaper price tier in some markets
Netflix is reportedly planning to experiment with lower prices in some markets, according to CEO Reed Hastings in an interview with Bloomberg last week. For now, details on the actual plan to test cheaper Netflix subscriptions are extremely thin. Hastings wouldn’t commit to whether Netflix would actually lower prices in current markets or just offer a cheaper option in places where Netflix doesn’t currently operate. He also wouldn’t say when or where the rumored plans would be offered. According to Bloomberg, the cheaper tier won’t quite be the same Netflix that you’re used to. Instead of just dropping the lowest-priced version of Netflix (currently $7.99 per month in the US) to an even cheaper price point, the company is reportedly planning to test new pricing tiers that would offer different features than the pricier plans. But, again, there aren’t any details about what that would entail. Still, a cheaper, less feature-filled version of Netflix … [Read more...] about Netflix is reportedly considering a cheaper price tier in some markets
Netflix bids farewell to original Wii as Nintendo ends streaming on console from January
Netflix and other streaming services are set to leave the first Wii console next year as Nintendo starts winding down the 12-year-old console.The company, behind hit series including Stranger Things and Orange Is The New Black, is set to stop working on the Wii along with all other streaming providers, as part of Nintendo’s decision to shut down its Wii Shop Channel in 2019.There’s been no official word directly from other sites, such as Amazon Prime Video, but it will likely come into force at the same time.Netflix is now urging anyone still using the original Wii to move across to a compatible device ahead of the cut off date, January 30.Wii U, the gaming giant’s 2012 follow up, isn’t mentioned as an affected device on Netflix’s support page.The closure comes days after Nintendo announced that its newest device, the Nintendo Switch, could now access YouTube via a free to download app. … [Read more...] about Netflix bids farewell to original Wii as Nintendo ends streaming on console from January
Disney Details Its Netflix Competitor & Initial Content
Disney's long-expected streaming service, called Disney+, is now set to launch in the US in late 2019 and will feature content from Pixar, Marvel, National Geographic, and the Star Wars franchise according to a recent announcement made by the company. However, although no details have been provided with regard to pricing for the service - or for exactly where or on what devices it might be available - Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger has provided a substantial amount of information about the content itself. To begin with, the new streaming service will mark the beginning of production on a brand new live-action Star Wars series centered around lead protagonist Cassian Andor from the Rogue One: A Star Wars Story film. Actor Diego Luna will be returning for the series and it will follow the events leading up to those that are portrayed in the movie. That's just one of two Star Wars series to appear on the platform as well. Another live-action show will be premiering on the service is The … [Read more...] about Disney Details Its Netflix Competitor & Initial Content