Subscribers are chalking up Netflix’s potential price increase to the streaming platform’s recently-inked $5 billion WWE deal.
Netflixannounced the dealon January 23. It gives the streamer exclusive rights to air live episodes of the WWE’s flagship show, Monday Night Raw, in the US, Canada, UK, Latin America, and other key markets.
But, in the meantime, the money has to come from somewhere, and a letter from Netflix’s top brass to shareholders has since suggested the company’s current userbase will initially foot the bill.
Netflix fans blame WWE following price hike hint
Netflix has hinted at further price increases for subscribers.“As we invest in and improve Netflix, we’ll occasionally ask our members to pay a little extra to reflect those improvements.”pic.twitter.com/nqfiCvHh0U
Predictably, Netflix subscribers took the price hike hint – and its apparent WWE connection – about as well as a Flying Elbow Drop off the top rope.
“‘We just bought WWE rights for $5 billion, we’re going to need to charge you for it,'” wroteone X user. “Gotta pay for Raw lmao,” echoeda second. “Can’t believe I’m gonna have to pay $20 a f**king month just to watch WWE,” complaineda third.
“Lol wtf, I don’t watch WWE why would I want this?” querieda fourth. “Maybe don’t pay $5B next time for WWE,” suggesteda fifth. “No one asked you to give WWE the bag…,” grumbleda sixth.
Amusingly,one commentatortheorized that Netflix only signaled the price rise following the positive response to the latest Avatar: The Last Airbender trailer. “Released the Avatar trailer and got brave I see,” they quipped.
The most recent glimpse at the streaming giant’s live-action remake of the beloved Nickelodeon series also dropped on January 23. It earned abroadly positive receptionfor its faithful recreation of the original cartoon, although some fans still weren’t fully sold.
Leon is a freelance Movies and TV writer at Dexerto. His past writing credits include articles for Polygon, Popverse, The Escapist, Screen Rant, CBR, Cultured Vultures, PanelxPanel, Taste of Cinema, and more. Originally from Australia, Leon is currently based in the UK.
