As Netflix tries to grow subscriber numbers outside of the United States, TechCrunch reports today that the streaming video company is testing out a subscription model where users are only able to watch on a phone or a tablet. With this stipulation, the cost of Netflix is cut by as much as 50 percent from the "Basic" tier, down to around $4/month from $8/month.

netflix november 2018
Right now, the test appears to be centered in Malaysia, but earlier in the week Netflix CEO Reed Hastings told Bloomberg that the company plans to test numerous lower-price plans throughout Asia. A Netflix spokesperson speaking to TechCrunch confirmed that similar mobile-only trials are "running in a few countries."

For the mobile-only option, users can only watch shows in SD, and if they ever want to watch Netflix on a laptop or television, they'll have to upgrade their plan. Like many companies, Netflix is always testing out new features and updates to its service, so it's unclear if mobile-only options will grow beyond trials and enter countries where Netflix is already popular, like the United States.

As of now, Netflix offers three subscription tiers: Basic, Standard, and Premium. Basic costs $7.99/month, offers one screen to stream content on at a time, and only in SD. Standard upgrades this by offering two simultaneous streams in HD for $10.99/month, while Premium has the most simultaneous streams on offer at four, as well as HD and Ultra HD content, all for $13.99/month. One year ago Netflix increased the price of its Standard and Premium tiers, which previously cost $9.99 and $11.99 respectively.

Tag: Netflix

Top Rated Comments

danny842003 Avatar
66 months ago
Stream from iPhone to Apple TV and save a bit of money
I will stream Netflix in SD from my $1600 iPhone to my $250 Apple TV to watch on my $1000 4K tv to save two cups of coffee a month, sounds like a great plan.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Krayzkat Avatar
66 months ago
Stream from iPhone to Apple TV and save a bit of money
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iModFrenzy Avatar
66 months ago
Every Netflix article just makes me dislike them more.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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