Netflix has recently announced long drawn out its cheaper mobile-only subscription trials to India. At the present, the latest plan is being tested with selected operators in the country so it is not available to all the users yet. On the other hand, Netflix has confirmed it’s not an official roll-out of a latest plan or a price cut.
Netflix Mobile Testing
A Netflix spokesperson said in a recent statement, “We are always looking for ways to make Netflix more enjoyable and accessible. We will be testing different options in select countries where members can, for example, watch Netflix on their mobile device for a lower price and subscribe in shorter increments of time. Not everyone will see these options and we may never roll out these specific plans beyond the tests”.
Netflix tests 50% cheaper mobile-only subscription plan in India
Here’s what Netflix costs in India currently:
| Basic | Standard | Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian price (per month) | Rs500 | Rs650 | Rs800 |
| HD | No | Yes | Yes |
| Ultra HD | No | No | Yes |
| Number of screens you can watch at the same time | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Watch a video on your laptop, TV, smartphone, and tablet | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited access to TV shows and movies | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cancel any time | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| First month free | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Last year, in the month of November Netflix had launched its first cheaper subscription plan in Malaysia. The new plan by Netflix is priced at half of its present basic plan.
But even as Netflix looks to solve its pricing problem with the new test run, there’s a catch.
Previously, Economic Times reported that Netflix’s mobile-only plan is accessible only for Rs 250 per month. In evaluating and comparing Netflix’s monthly subscription plan then it starts at Rs 500. Also, Netflix provides two more options such as Standard and Premium which is priced at Rs 650 per month and Rs 800 per month correspondingly.
Netflix’s Mobile-Only Plan Will Still Be Costlier Than Other Services
Netflix’s latest cheaper mobile-only subscription test is well thought out to be the company’s determined and aspiring plans in order to attain “100 million subscribers” from India. With an aim to hit India’s rising internet user base, Netflix is joining with local content makers and financing in “originals.” Last year Netflix declared seven new original productions for Asia, as well as nine for India.
On the other hand, Netflix faces a tough rivalry from domestic players such as Disney-backed Hotstar and Alt Balaji. Also, it is also competing with Amazon Prime Video which is a part of Amazon’s Prime subscription plans.
Netflix’s Hard Push Towards Original Content Might Hurt It
Netflix chief executive Reed Hastings last year said that the company may possibly flourish in India in spite of greater subscription plans.
He said cost of Netflix in India is almost like going to the movie theatre and purchasing 2-3 tickets a month, but you also get to watch a lot more content than just watching 2-3 movies in the theatre in the same amount.
He said, “Now it is true that Youtube is free, and Amazon is basically free, and cable is extremely inexpensive because it’s ad-supported. To some degree that creates a consumer expectation”. He then further added that the cost of Netflix in India was “like going to the movie theatre 2-3 tickets a month, but you get to watch a lot more.”
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