Streaming does not feel as carefree as it once did. Viewers are no longer signing up for every new platform just because they can. With an unfavorable global economic climate and too many options to choose from, people are starting to ask a simple question: Is it really worth the money? Even Netflix, the service that changed how screen content is consumed, is feeling that shift.

What was once an easy monthly expenditure is now something many users think twice about before renewing. As 2026 unfolds, the conversation around the streaming giant’s cost per month is getting louder, with growing worries about whether subscribers will continue to stick around.

Netflix has not announced any subscription hikes for the year as of this writing. The platform, which currently charges $7.99 per month with ads and $17.99 per month for the ad-free plan, recently acquired Warner Bros. Discovery’s film and streaming assets in a $82.7 billion deal. While Netflix notified its subscribers about this development in an email, the company did not mention any monetary raise.

The acquisition is still awaiting shareholder and regulatory approval, though, meaning charges could increase in the future.

The query about Netflix price hikes appears to have stemmed from Paramount+ confirming its US subscription rates will increase on January 15, 2026. The ad-supported Essential plan will rise from $7.99 to $8.99 per month, while the ad-free Premium plan will increase from $12.99 to $13.99. The platform’s parent company, meanwhile, also bid for the Warner Bros. acquisition.

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Paramount Skydance Corporation, following the Netflix and Warner Bros. collaboration becoming official, offered a lucrative proposal to the latter, but did not receive consideration. 

After Netflix struck a deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount Skydance launched its own hostile takeover proposal, valued at approximately $108.4 billion, offering all-cash compensation directly to Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders. Paramount argued its bid provided superior value and a quicker path to completion.

With Netflix closing its nearly $83 billion deal for Warner Bros. Discovery, the streaming industry is poised for significant changes. Paramount Skydance’s bid is reportedly set to be rejected, highlighting just how high the stakes are. Netflix has not raised subscription prices yet, but rumors about a new Netflix After Dark section and further platform developments have viewers curious about what is next. In the coming months, subscribers can expect new content and features, and possibly even price changes.

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Do you think Netflix will manage to justify expensive plans in the future if it opts for it? Let us know in the comments.