We all know that Netflix India is undergoing a state of flux and has been under pressure to show an increase in subscriptions, an important matrix for OTT platforms, but something for which the global platform has not seen considerable success compared to some of its competitors. The main reason for the same has been the high subscription costs, the highest across all OTT platforms in India.
Towards the end of 2021 the platform did undertake a price reduction across the 4 plans available in India. As a result the cheapest plan (mobile only) dropped to 149 Rs. monthly (from 199) and the costliest plan (premium) dropped to 649 Rs. monthly (from 799). Though initial reports from 2022 seemed to suggest that these price drops seemed to be helping the platform in India, apparently the reality seemed to be something else altogether.
Hence it was widely speculated that India along with several other key markets for Netflix, could soon see a more rational pricing pattern. This was expected to come into effect towards the end of 2022 or early 2023. Now into the 2nd quarter of 2023, there are people still waiting eagerly for the announcement of a revised pricing structure, something that is expected to bring a lot more cheer for potential subscribers.
Indian consumers have been largely depending on login and password sharing between friends and relatives, as a mechanism to access Netflix. It is very common to see one person paying for the subscription and sharing the same with 3-4 other friends or family members, the only way by which perhaps they can afford to access the platform. This phenomenon isn’t unique to India alone and has also existed in some other price sensitive markets.
The platform has from time to time indicated that they are studying ways and means to curb this practice. But no one took this seriously, until a few weeks ago when it was being reported that Netflix is planning to take steps to prevent password sharing. This was something that took people by surprise, especially those who were waiting for the new pricing plan. Just when it appeared to confuse people, there’s something now to cheer for & it’s probably the best thing that Netflix India has probably done or planned to do so far.
Netflix India now apparently has decided not to prevent password sharing, rather they plan to officially allow login and password sharing for the Indian market. As per an official source (who chose not to be identified), this should come into practice from 15th April 2023 and the team is contemplating an official announcement. But there is also a suggestion that probably they may not announce this publicly, but do so silently and use this as a tactic to gain more subscribers in India, till their revised subscription plans are ready to be announced.
The Netflix source goes to further add that “we at Netflix India are committed to providing the best of entertainment to our subscribers in India and will ensure that our focus remains on adding more subscribers in the most efficient manner.”
Now if this is not something to be happy to be about this weekend, then what is? Well, you are not alone then as we at MAM would probably welcome such news as well. At this moment here’s wishing all of you a very Happy April Fool’s Day Ha Ha Ha 😀 !!!
P.S- The whole post is intended only as an April Fool’s Day joke and not to be taken seriously.
mad about moviez.in 