Netflix has announced a Rs 199 per month plan for India which will work only on smartphones or tablets. (Image source: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
Netflix has announced a new ‘Made in India’ plan at Rs 199 per month. The plan is only for mobiles, tablet users in India. It was previously reported that Netflix was testing India-specific plans at lower prices as it seeks to increase subscriber base in one of the biggest internet and smartphone markets in the world. In its recent earnings report, Netflix had reported a drop in subscriber base in the US.
Netflix revealed that the mobile-only plan for India has been in the making for a long time. The Rs 199 plan will be live in India today, and this is the only market where the company is launching the plan.
Netflix will give users options to upgrade the mobile-only plan to their basic plans or higher plans later on. Netflix says the smartphone/tablet only plan does support offline downloads.
What is Netflix ‘Made in India’ Rs 199 plan?
The Netflix Rs 199 per month plan will work only on smartphones and mobiles. Previously it was reported that this plan would start at Rs 250 per month.
What this means is that if you are subscribed only to this plan for Netflix, you will not be able to access the content on your desktop, PC or smart TV or Amazon Fire TV Stick. Further, the Netflix Rs 199 plan will only have SD or standard definition content at 480p resolution.
It does not support HD or 720p or higher resolution content. The plan will not support casting to other devices, so you will not be able to stream to your TV via Google Chromecast. The plan will support only one concurrent stream per account.
The base Netflix plan in India used to start at Rs 499 per month, which made Netflix one of the most expensive streaming services in India. With this new plan, Netflix will try to compete with Amazon Prime Video, which starts at Rs 999 per year or Rs 129 per month and Hotstar, which starts at Rs 999 per year or Rs 299 per month.
Then select the mobile plan for Rs 199 per month. After adding account details and choosing the Rs 199 plan, you will get the first month for free (for new members). After that you can continue with the plan, and it will be charged to your credit or debit card.
Why is Netflix launching this Rs 199 plan?
The mobile-only plan will give Netflix an opportunity to expand in tier-2 and tier-3 cities of India. The idea is to broaden the access of Netflix across India. The base plans of Netflix earlier started at Rs 499, Rs 649 and Rs 799 per month making it an extremely expensive streaming service. Netflix gives the first month free on the service.
Anuj Bhatia is a seasoned personal technology writer at indianexpress.com with a career spanning over a decade. Active in the domain since 2011, he has established himself as a distinct voice in tech journalism, specializing in long-form narratives that bridge the gap between complex innovation and consumer lifestyle.
Experience & Career: Anuj has been a key contributor to The Indian Express since late 2016. Prior to his current tenure, he served as a Senior Tech Writer at My Mobile magazine and held a role as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. His professional trajectory reflects a rigorous commitment to technology reporting, backed by a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University.
Expertise & Focus Areas: Anuj’s reporting covers the spectrum of personal technology, characterized by a unique blend of modern analysis and historical context. His key focus areas include:
Core Technology: Comprehensive coverage of smartphones, personal computers, apps, and lifestyle tech.
Deep-Dive Narratives: Specializes in composing longer-form feature articles and explainers that explore the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture.
Global & Local Scope: Reports extensively on major international product launches from industry titans like Apple and Google, while simultaneously covering the ecosystem of indie and home-grown tech startups.
Niche Interests: A dedicated focus on vintage technology and retro gaming, offering readers a nostalgic yet analytical perspective on the evolution of tech.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Anuj is a trusted voice in the industry, recognized for his ability to de-jargonize trending topics and provide context to rapid technological advancements. His authority is reinforced by his on-ground presence at major international tech conferences and his nuanced approach to product reviews. By balancing coverage of the world's most valuable tech brands with emerging startups, he offers a holistic and objective view of the global technology landscape.
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Netflix has announced a Rs 199 per month plan for India which will work only on smartphones or tablets. (Image source: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
