NETFLIX subscriptions have risen overnight for viewers who were previously paying through Apple’s iTunes.
It means viewers subscribing through Apple are finally subject to the price rises that came into effect earlier this year for customers who subscribe directly with Netflix or via third-parties like Sky.
the removal of the Basic plan has only just come into effect for customers billing their Netflix through iTunesRex
GettyCustomers who previously paid through Apple will have to update their payment information with Netflix[/caption]
The streaming giant abruptly removed the cheapest ad-free plan from its subscriptions options last year, before hiking prices in October.
The so-called Basic plan cost £7.99/$11.99 per month, but disappeared for customers in the UK , US and Canada at the beginning of 2024.
However, the removal of the Basic plan has only just come into effect for customers billing their Netflix through iTunes.
Ugh! Guess I’ll be cancelling my Netflix account. It’s cool I use Hulu and Max more anyways.
@Elyi1M, Twitter
Apple removed the option for Netflix billing via iTunes for new and rejoining subscribers some time ago.
But now, members will need to sign up to Netflix directly, a spokesperson told The Verge.
Customers who previously paid through Apple will have to update their payment information with Netflix.
Subscribers must note that they will be charged a higher membership fee once they update their payment details.
“Netflix stopped working with Apple Pay and didn’t inform me,” one viewer complained on X (formerly Twitter).
“Now I’m locked out of my $9.99 a month price I had paid for years and I had to get charged $31 until I get a refund through Apple.”
Another added: “It’s so convenient tho. Ugh! Guess I’ll be cancelling my Netflix account. It’s cool I use Hulu and Max more anyways.”
While a third viewer tweeted: “Makes sense as Apple is now one of Netflix’s competitors.
“No way any company wants to be constantly sending money to the competition if they don’t have to.”
Netflix Subscription Cost Breakdown
Standard with ads (originally launched as “Basic with ads” last year)
£4.99 ($6.99) a month
1080p picture quality
no downloads – yet
your date of birth will be used for advert personalisation purposes
add one out-of-household user for a fee
watch on two devices simultaneously
Basic (soon to be disappearing)
Now £7.99 ($11.99) a month
no ads
watch on one device
not available to new or rejoining subscribers.
Standard
£10.99 ($15.49) a month
1080p picture quality
downloads allowed
no ads
add one extra out-of-household user for a fee
watch on two devices simultaneously
Premium
Now £17.99 ($22.99) a month
4K UHD picture quality
High Dynamic Range (HDR) support
downloads allowed
no ads
add two out-of-household users for a fee
watch on up to four devices simultaneously
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