Netflix is making headlines again. It will raise its monthly fee for service by $1 a month for new customers in the near future. News of a price hike will create a glut of new customers to beat the clock. Netflix was experiencing seven percent customer growth for each quarter prior to the announcement. It has 35.7 million US customers and 12.7 million international customers. It charges $7.99 a month for its streaming services which is expected to be raised by $1 or $2 for new customers. Existing customers can enjoy their current prices for a while.
Netflix also making news for its agreement with Comcast to provide broadband programming of movies and television shows streaming at top speeds. It will give Netflix direct access to broadband services to Comcast without going through a third party. Comcast has made an offer to buy Time Warner Cable and if successful it will give a foothold in the west in addition to its current dominant presence in the eastern US. Netflix holds exclusive movie rights to broadcast House of Cards, Arrested Development, and Orange is the New Black. It’s competing with Amazon.com for streaming services as well as content.