iWorld
Netflix raises US subscription prices again across all plans
Second hike in a year pushes premium tier to top of market pricing
NEW YORK: Netflix has raised its subscription prices in the United States once again, marking its second increase in just over a year as it looks to fund a growing slate of content and new formats.
The revised pricing, updated on 26 March, lifts costs across all tiers. The ad-supported plan now stands at $8.99 per month, up from $7.99, while the standard ad-free plan rises to $19.99 from $17.99. The premium tier, which includes 4K and spatial audio, now costs $26.99, making it the most expensive standalone streaming plan currently available.
Extra member fees have also gone up, with ad-supported add-ons increasing to $7.99 and ad-free slots to $9.99. New users will see the revised rates immediately, while existing subscribers will get a notification and a roughly 30-day window before the changes take effect.
Notably, while prices are climbing, the features across plans remain unchanged, with no additions to screens, resolution or user benefits.
The move comes after a strong growth phase for Netflix, which added nearly 20 million subscribers in 2025 despite earlier price hikes. The streamer had also explored a potential $83 billion deal for Warner Bros. Discovery before stepping back to focus on organic expansion.
With subscriber momentum still intact, Netflix appears confident that audiences will continue to stay tuned, even as the cost of streaming keeps edging upwards.
iWorld
Bajaj Dhuniverse crowns ‘Voice of the Nation’ on 31 March
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy to judge finale in Mumbai as over 60,000 aspirants compete.
MUMBAI: Bajaj Dhuniverse just hit the high note because when 60,000 voices chase a dream, even the judges need earplugs and a standing ovation. Bajaj Finserv will conclude its digital-first music talent platform Bajaj Dhuniverse with a grand finale on 31 March in Mumbai. The event, hosted in the presence of legendary composers Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, will crown the ‘Voice of the Nation’ after a six-month nationwide search that drew over 60,000 auditions from metros to deep rural areas.
The platform enabled aspiring singers and musicians to submit audio and video entries without the barriers of physical auditions. A rigorous, multi-layered evaluation process shortlisted the top 100 contestants, who received mentorship from Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy through a digital episodic format. From this pool, 10 finalists and one wild-card entrant were selected to perform live at the finale.
The winner will receive the opportunity to co-create the Bajaj Anthem as Season 1’s ‘Voice of Bajaj’, record an independent album with Zee Music Company, and collaborate with Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy on a Spotify release.
Bajaj Finserv president of digital platforms Manav Mianwal said, “We owe it to the nation and our people to invest in creating platforms that harness potential and create new role models. The response we have received in Year 1 gives us the tailwinds and the courage to make this even bigger and better in Year 2.”
Shankar Mahadevan said, “What stood out to me about Bajaj Dhuniverse was the intent to find and elevate musical talent from all corners of India. The digital-first approach has made participation genuinely inclusive.”
Ehsaan Noorani added, “The range, depth and commitment we witnessed during evaluations were extraordinary.”
Loy Mendonsa noted, “India has always had immense musical talent. Bajaj Dhuniverse created a platform where musicians could step forward and be discovered.”
The campaign was amplified through on-air storytelling and on-ground activations in partnership with Radio Mirchi. The finale will be streamed nationwide, offering music lovers across the country a chance to witness the crowning moment.
In a country where musical dreams often stay hidden in small towns and villages, Bajaj Dhuniverse didn’t just open the stage, it built one that reaches every corner, proving that the next big voice may not come from the spotlight, but from the silence between the notes.
