With yet another price rise on the way there are still ways to save money, including getting Netflix included in a TV bundle deal
The streaming service is increasing the cost of all subscriptions (Image: Getty/Netflix)
As the nights draw in and the weather grows colder, there’s nothing better than getting cosy on the sofa and settling down in front of the TV. But those relaxed Netflix evenings look set to cost a little more this year, with the streaming giant raising its subscription prices once again – with some members facing increases of up to 33%.
Following an earlier price adjustment in February 2025, the latest changes affect both new and existing customers. But savvy viewers can still save, and there is even a way to get a free subscription.
Netflix’s cheapest option, Standard with adverts, has risen from £5.99 to £7.99 – a 33% increase – and subscribers on the ad-supported tier will now pay £95.88 a year.
The regular Standard plan has also increased by £1, from £12.99 to £13.99, an 8% rise. Customers on the Premium plan will see their monthly payments rise from £18.99 to £20.99 – a 10.5% increase. New subscribers will pay the updated prices straight away, while existing members will see the change from their next billing date.
In a statement to Deadline, Netflix said the price increases ‘reflect improvements to our wide range of entertainment and the quality of our service’. For those who don’t want to pay more, there are a few ways to cut the cost, including switching to a cheaper plan, cancelling altogether or looking for a TV and streaming bundle that includes Netflix.
Max Beckett, broadband expert at Uswitch, said: “The good news is that if you pay Netflix directly, you’re not locked in. If the new price doesn’t feel worth it, you can downgrade or cancel penalty-free at any time – dropping from Standard to the ad-supported plan now saves £6 a month, or £72 a year, if you can live with the adverts.”
Get Netflix free with Sky
Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription with its new Sky Stream TV bundles, including the £15 Essential TV bundle. This lets members watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows like Stranger Things and The Last of Us.
He added: “It’s also a good moment to add up what you spend on streaming and broadband together, and check whether a better bundle could cut the total.”
One cost-cutting approach involves combining Netflix with a television package from suppliers such as Sky, which includes a complimentary subscription with its Sky Stream and Sky Glass offerings. The basic £15 Essential TV bundle features Netflix Standard with advertisements included in the price.
As Netflix currently charges £7.99 a month for this plan when bought directly, Sky customers effectively get around 100 TV channels, including Sky Atlantic, plus a discovery+ membership for just £7.01 extra each month. Sky’s £24 Ultimate TV bundle also includes Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Hayu and 135 channels.
Sky customers can also upgrade to Netflix Standard or Premium for an extra £6 or £11 a month, respectively. Virgin Media offers Netflix as part of some of its TV packages too, although these are more expensive than Sky’s options.
That said, Virgin Media’s packages offer more for your money. Its £32.99 Entertainment bundle includes Netflix Standard with adverts, more than 200 channels and 516Mbps fibre broadband.
Both Sky and Virgin Media can also move an existing Netflix account onto the TV package. This means that customers can keep their accounts without paying twice or having their service interrupted.
There is a drawback, though, as both Sky and Virgin Media require customers to commit to a 24-month contract for their TV and Netflix packages. Prices are also likely to rise at least twice throughout this period, as both providers implement annual increases each April.
Another effective method for cutting costs is the practice of ‘leapfrogging’ between various streaming platforms. Many of us now juggle multiple subscriptions to services such as Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and Apple TV simultaneously, which can amount to nearly £30 per month based on the lowest subscription tier across these four providers.
‘Leapfrogging’ essentially involves maintaining just one active subscription at a time, making the most of its content before cancelling and switching to another service. This approach can save viewers hundreds of pounds annually, while also unlocking a wealth of television programmes and films, ensuring far greater value from each subscription.
