Netflix subscribers are set to find themselves forking out up to 20% more to use the streaming service, according to reports.
The company is said to be raising its prices in the UK to help cover the costs of its planned extra investment in programmes before the launch of a rival Disney+ service later this year.
The automatic price hike would see the cost of its standard plan - which allows high-definition viewing on two devices - rise from £7.99 to £8.99 and its premium plan (for ultra-high definition and use of up to four devices) increase by £2 to £11.99.
The cost of the basic plan - which allows only standard definition and single device viewing - would stay the same at £5.99.
Netflix is said to have around 10m subscribers in the UK where it has not raised prices since 2017. The new move follows recent price increases in the US.
The UK rises are due to be introduced to customers over coming weeks but newcomers can expect to be placed on the higher rate immediately.
Netflix says that its service will still offer great value for money compared to other current options.
As reported in The Guardian , a spokesman said the increases should be seen in the context of the hundreds of millions of pound spent by the company over the past few years on UK-made content, such as The Crown.
“We change our prices from time to time to reflect the significant investments we’ve made in new TV shows and films, as well as improvements to our product,” the spokesman said.
“We have more than 50 productions planned in the UK this year, including new seasons of Black Mirror, Sex Education and After Life.
"Our basic membership will remain at the same price, ensuring as many people as possible can enjoy our content.”
Disney+ is due to launch in America later this year where it is could cost about half the monthly Netflix fee there. The video on-demand service, operated by a division of The Walt Disney Company, will have the likes of Star Wars and Pixar animations among its content.
