Netflix hikes prices, orders Raising Dion

Raising Dion was created by music video director Dennis Liu

Netflix is ramping up its subscription price in some of its biggest territories as it continues to expand its original series strategy.

The streamer’s standard US service, allowing two-screen usage and HD access, is rising in cost from US$9.99 to $US10.99 per month while the premium package, allowing viewing on four screens and ultra HD access, will cost US$13.99, up from US$11.99.

Netflix’s basic US service, allowing one-screen access, will remain at US$7.99.

In the UK, prices are being hiked more than 11% for premium subscribers, with the four-screen, ultra HD package set to cost £9.99 (US$13.06), up from £8.99. Two-screen access, plus HD viewing, will rise from £7.49 to £7.99.

Price hikes are set to be introduced in France and Germany, following similar increases in Canada, the Nordics and Latin America earlier in the year.

Subscribers will be given 30 days’ notice of the changes, which will be introduced from October 19. The prices were introduced for new customers in the US and the UK yesterday.

The streamer said its “plans and pricing are adjusted as we add more exclusive TV shows and movies, introduce new product features and improve the overall Netflix experience to help members find something great to watch even faster.”

Netflix, which hiked its prices in the UK last year as part of a pricing overhaul, is in the process of spending US$6bn on programming this year alone and has ordered its first originals in countries such as China, Turkey and Sweden.

The company is aiming to make original programming account for half of its offering within the next 18 months, a move driven by third-party providers such as Disney pulling their content from the service.

The hikes mean rival services such as Amazon Prime and Hulu now cost less than Netflix in its home market of the US.

Meanwhile, Netflix has ordered a sci-fi family drama based on a short film about an African American single mother.

Raising Dion (10×60′) has been created by music video director Dennis Liu, who created the comic book and directed the short film, which became a viral hit.

Carol Barbee (UnREAL) is attached as showrunner and wrote the script for episode one, which Liu will direct. Barbee will also exec produce alongside others including Michael B Jordan, Charles D King, Kim Roth and Michael Green (American Gods).

The series, which will be made available globally on Netflix, follows the story of a woman who becomes a single mother after the death of her husband. Their son then starts to manifest magical, superhero-like abilities which his mother tries to keep secret.