Netflix is raising the price of some of its plans. In the UK, the basic service will now cost £7.99 per month, up by £1. The more expensive plan will now cost £17.99 per month, up by £2. This is happening after Netflix gained a lot of new customers and is feeling more confident.
Part of the reason Netflix got more customers was because it started charging extra if many people used the same account. They also made a cheaper plan that shows ads, which helped get more new customers. But some people are wondering if Netflix can keep growing like this. Netflix thinks it can because it has a lot of popular shows and might get more in the future.
Even though some people are unsure if Netflix can get more customers, the company is making more money than before. They made $8.5 billion, which is 7.8% more than the same time last year, and their profit was $1.67 billion. Netflix wants more people to use the plan that shows ads because it can make them a lot of money. This is one reason why they are making the basic plan more expensive, and prices might go up even more in the future.
Original news source: Netflix raises prices despite password crackdown success (BBC)
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Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a summary of the article and ask them to read it together. Then, have them work together to write a short news summary of the article, highlighting the key points. Afterward, each group can share their summary with the class and discuss any differences between their summaries.
– Word Association
Instructions: Write the word “Netflix” on the board and ask students to brainstorm as many words or phrases related to Netflix as they can in one minute. Then, go around the class and have each student share one word or phrase they came up with. Encourage them to think creatively and make connections between different words.
– Sketch It
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a piece of paper and ask them to work together to draw a visual representation of the article. They can use symbols, pictures, or any other creative elements to depict the key points of the article. Afterward, have each pair present their drawing to the class and explain their interpretation.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board (e.g., Netflix, price, plan, customers, ads, profit). Divide the class into teams and give each team a whiteboard or a piece of paper. One student from each team will come to the front of the class and you will show them a vocabulary word. They have to draw a picture to represent that word, and their team members have to guess the word based on the drawing. The team with the most correct guesses wins.
– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Ask the students to take a few minutes to think about the following question: “Do you think Netflix’s price increase will affect its popularity?” Then, have them pair up with a partner and share their thoughts. Afterward, open up a class discussion and ask for volunteers to share their opinions. Encourage students to explain their reasoning and engage in a respectful debate.
Comprehension Questions:
1. How much is the basic Netflix plan in the UK now?
2. Why did Netflix gain more customers?
3. What did Netflix do to get more new customers?
4. Are some people unsure if Netflix can get more customers?
5. How much money did Netflix make last year?
6. Why does Netflix want more people to use the plan that shows ads?
7. Will Netflix make the basic plan more expensive in the future?
Go to answers ⇩
Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Netflix is raising the (1)______ of some of its plans. In the UK, the basic service will now cost £7.99 per (2)______, up by £1. The (3)______ expensive plan will now cost £17.99 per month, up by £2. This is happening after Netflix gained a lot of new customers and is feeling more confident.
Part of the reason Netflix got more customers was because it started charging extra if many people (4)______ the (5)______ account. They also made a cheaper plan that shows ads, which helped get more new customers. But some people are (6)______ if Netflix can keep growing like this. Netflix (7)______ it can because it has a lot of popular (8)______ and might get more in the future.
Even though some people are unsure if Netflix can get more customers, the company is (9)______ more money than before. They made $8.5 billion, which is 7.8% more than the same time last year, and their profit was $1.67 billion. (10)______ wants more people to use the plan that shows ads because it can make them a lot of money. This is one reason why they are making the basic plan more expensive, and (11)______ might go up even more in the (12)______.
Go to answers ⇩
Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What is Netflix?
2. How would you feel if Netflix raised the price of their plans?
3. Do you like watching shows on Netflix? Why or why not?
4. Do you think Netflix can keep getting more customers? Why or why not?
5. What do you think about Netflix charging extra if many people use the same account?
6. How do you feel about Netflix making a cheaper plan that shows ads?
7. Why do you think Netflix wants more people to use the plan that shows ads?
8. How much money did Netflix make last year?
9. Do you think Netflix making the basic plan more expensive is a good idea? Why or why not?
10. How do you think Netflix can make more money in the future?
11. What other popular shows would you like to see on Netflix?
12. Would you recommend Netflix to your friends? Why or why not?
Individual Activities
Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. Netflix
2. price
3. plans
4. customers
5. account
6. shows
7. money
8. ads
Meanings:
(a) Different options or choices for what you can do or buy
(b) A company that lets you watch movies and TV shows online
(c) The amount of money you have to pay for something
(d) A personal profile that you use to access something online
(e) People who buy or use a product or service
(f) Movies or TV programs that you watch on a screen
(g) Short videos that try to sell you something
(h) The coins or bills that you use to buy things
Go to answers ⇩
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. How much will the basic service on Netflix cost in the UK after the price increase?
(a) £7.99 per month
(b) £6.99 per month
(c) £8.99 per month
(d) £9.99 per month
2. Why did Netflix gain more customers?
(a) They lowered their prices.
(b) They removed ads from their plans.
(c) They stopped offering popular shows.
(d) They started charging extra for multiple users on one account.
3. What is one way Netflix plans to make more money?
(a) By reducing their prices.
(b) By offering a cheaper plan without ads.
(c) By getting more people to use the plan with ads.
(d) By canceling popular shows.
4. How much more money did Netflix make compared to the same time last year?
(a) $8.5 billion
(b) $7.8 billion
(c) $1.67 billion
(d) $1 billion
5. Why is Netflix raising the price of their basic plan?
(a) To lose customers.
(b) To offer more popular shows.
(c) To make more money.
(d) To reduce their profit.
6. What is the more expensive plan on Netflix now?
(a) £15.99 per month
(b) £17.99 per month
(c) £19.99 per month
(d) £14.99 per month
7. What is one reason why some people are unsure if Netflix can get more customers?
(a) They don’t offer a cheaper plan.
(b) They don’t have popular shows.
(c) They charge extra for multiple users.
(d) They don’t make enough money.
8. What is one way Netflix plans to attract more customers in the future?
(a) By reducing their prices.
(b) By removing ads from their plans.
(c) By canceling their basic plan.
(d) By getting more popular shows.
Go to answers ⇩
True or False Questions:
1. The more expensive plan will now cost £17.99 per month, which is £2 less.
2. Netflix wants more people to use the plan with ads to make more money.
3. Netflix is decreasing the price of some of its plans in the UK.
4. Netflix also lost customers by offering a cheaper plan with ads.
5. Netflix made $8.5 billion, which is 7.8% more than last year.
6. The basic service will now cost £7.99 per month, which is £1 less.
7. Netflix gained more customers by charging extra if many people used the same account.
8. Some people are unsure if Netflix can continue to grow.
Go to answers ⇩
Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Writing Questions:
Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
1. What is happening to the price of some of Netflix’s plans in the UK?
2. Why did Netflix gain more customers recently?
3. Can Netflix keep growing and getting more customers?
4. How much money did Netflix make this year compared to last year?
5. Why does Netflix want more people to use the plan that shows ads?
Answers
Comprehension Question Answers:
1. How much is the basic Netflix plan in the UK now?
The basic Netflix plan in the UK now costs £7.99 per month.
2. Why did Netflix gain more customers?
Netflix gained more customers because they started charging extra if many people used the same account and they made a cheaper plan that shows ads.
3. What did Netflix do to get more new customers?
Netflix started charging extra for multiple users and introduced a cheaper plan with ads to attract more new customers.
4. Are some people unsure if Netflix can get more customers?
Yes, some people are unsure if Netflix can get more customers.
5. How much money did Netflix make last year?
Netflix made $8.5 billion last year.
6. Why does Netflix want more people to use the plan that shows ads?
Netflix wants more people to use the plan that shows ads because it can make them a lot of money.
7. Will Netflix make the basic plan more expensive in the future?
The article suggests that Netflix might make the basic plan more expensive in the future.
Go back to questions ⇧
Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) price
(2) month
(3) more
(4) used
(5) same
(6) wondering
(7) thinks
(8) shows
(9) making
(10) Netflix
(11) prices
(12) future
Go back to questions ⇧
Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. Netflix
Answer: (b) A company that lets you watch movies and TV shows online
2. price
Answer: (c) The amount of money you have to pay for something
3. plans
Answer: (a) Different options or choices for what you can do or buy
4. customers
Answer: (e) People who buy or use a product or service
5. account
Answer: (d) A personal profile that you use to access something online
6. shows
Answer: (f) Movies or TV programs that you watch on a screen
7. money
Answer: (h) The coins or bills that you use to buy things
8. ads
Answer: (g) Short videos that try to sell you something
Go back to questions ⇧
Multiple Choice Answers:
1. How much will the basic service on Netflix cost in the UK after the price increase?
Answer: (a) £7.99 per month
2. Why did Netflix gain more customers?
Answer: (d) They started charging extra for multiple users on one account.
3. What is one way Netflix plans to make more money?
Answer: (c) By getting more people to use the plan with ads.
4. How much more money did Netflix make compared to the same time last year?
Answer: (a) $8.5 billion
5. Why is Netflix raising the price of their basic plan?
Answer: (c) To make more money.
6. What is the more expensive plan on Netflix now?
Answer: (b) £17.99 per month
7. What is one reason why some people are unsure if Netflix can get more customers?
Answer: (b) They don’t have popular shows.
8. What is one way Netflix plans to attract more customers in the future?
Answer: (d) By getting more popular shows.
Go back to questions ⇧
True or False Answers:
1. The more expensive plan will now cost £17.99 per month, which is £2 less. (Answer: False)
2. Netflix wants more people to use the plan with ads to make more money. (Answer: True)
3. Netflix is decreasing the price of some of its plans in the UK. (Answer: False)
4. Netflix also lost customers by offering a cheaper plan with ads. (Answer: False)
5. Netflix made $8.5 billion, which is 7.8% more than last year. (Answer: True)
6. The basic service will now cost £7.99 per month, which is £1 less. (Answer: False)
7. Netflix gained more customers by charging extra if many people used the same account. (Answer: True)
8. Some people are unsure if Netflix can continue to grow. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧
