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Netflix
is testing a new low-cost pricing tier in India as the on-demand video streaming service looks to court more subscribers in Asia’s third-largest economy.
The American giant has unveiled a “Mobile+” plan for some new subscribers in India that delivers streaming in high-definition (HD) quality and supports viewing across mobile, tablet, and computer screens (but not TV). The monthly tier is priced at 349 Indian rupees ($4.7).
The testing of the new tier,
first spotted
by AndroidPure, comes months after Netflix introduced a mobile-only plan in India
that is priced at 199 Indian rupees ($2.7). The mobile-only plan, as the name suggests, restricts users from accessing the service from their computer screen or TV, and lowers the streaming quality to standard definition (480p.)
A Netflix spokesperson confirmed the test to TechCrunch.
“We launched the Mobile Plan in India to make it easier for anyone with a smartphone to enjoy Netflix. We want to see if members like the added choice this offer brings. We’ll only roll it out long-term if they do,” the spokesperson said.
The timing of the new test is no coincidence. Earlier this month, Netflix debuted “
Indian Matchmaking
,” an eight-episode show that follows matchmaker Sima Taparia as she works with singles and their families in India and the U.S. to find desirable mates for marriage.
“Indian Matchmaking,” which has
received mixed reviews
, has still managed to generate more buzz than any other India-focused show or movie Netflix has produced to date. Arif Janmohamed, a partner at Lightspeed, said he believes
the show has finally enabled Netflix, which has been looking to attract subscribers in developing markets in recent years, to “crack the Next Billion.”
Netflix, which has
raised its monthly tariff in the U.S. in recent years
, competes with more than three dozen on-demand streaming services in India including its global rivals Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Hotstar+ Disney, all of which are aggressively priced.
In an earnings call earlier this year, a company executive said Netflix was “working really hard to try and make our offering in India more competitive, more attractive to members and members-to-be, and there’s a bunch of different product features we’ve been doing.”
More to follow…
