Netflix’s $6.99 Single-Stream Plan: 2013 Test vs. Current US Plans

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No: Netflix did not announce a general $6.99 plan for the new year. In December 2013, the company confirmed it was testing that price for a single stream, but said not everyone would see the offer and it might never become widely available.

What Netflix actually said about the $6.99 offer

Netflix told Ars Technica: “In this case we are testing a $6.99 single stream price point. Not everyone will see this and we may not ever offer it generally.” Ars Technica’s December 2013 report reproduced the statement. TechCrunch also reported that Netflix confirmed a test for some new users.

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That makes “rolls out” too strong: the evidence describes a limited test, not a confirmed nationwide launch or a plan guaranteed to continue. The $6.99 figure was the tested monthly price, not a reported customer saving against a universally available plan.

What the tested plan included

The December 2013 reports described the offer as one stream at a time in standard definition. “Single screen” referred to the number of simultaneous streams; it did not mean a special screen or a single device permanently assigned to the account.

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Netflix eGift Card

Unlimited movies, TV shows, and more. Watch anywhere. Cancel anytime.
Give the gift of entertainment so your friends and family can stream unlimited films and Netflix original series. Whether your loved one already has a Netflix account or they will be creating a new account, they can use a Netflix gift card toward their membership.
No credit card is required to redeem a gift code.
Codes are applied to your account as a gift balance
Redemption: Online

The reports do not establish that every new subscriber could choose it, or that Netflix later made it generally available. It should be understood as a historical offer test, not a current subscription option.

How it compares with Netflix’s listed US plans today

Netflix’s US Help Center lists the following monthly prices and features, checked October 4, 2026. These are US listings at that date, not universal prices: rates, eligibility, packages, and add-ons can vary by market and change over time.

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Netflix eGift Card

Unlimited movies, TV shows, and more. Watch anywhere. Cancel anytime.
Give the gift of entertainment so your friends and family can stream unlimited films and Netflix original series. Whether your loved one already has a Netflix account or they will be creating a new account, they can use a Netflix gift card toward their membership.
No credit card is required to redeem a gift code.
Redemption: Online
No Returns and Refunds on Gift Cards

Plan	US monthly price	Simultaneous supported devices	Video quality	Ads
Standard with ads	$8.99	2	1080p	Yes
Standard	$19.99	2	1080p	No
Premium	$26.99	4	4K Ultra HD plus HDR	No

Netflix says its Basic plan has been discontinued. The current entry-level US listing, Standard with ads, is not a revival of the 2013 test: it supports two devices and 1080p rather than one stream in standard definition.

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What to check before choosing a plan

Compare the plans available in your country using the factors that affect how you watch:

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Rank #3

Netflix Physical Gift Card

Unlimited movies, TV shows, and more. Watch anywhere. Cancel anytime.
Give the gift of entertainment so your friends and family can stream unlimited films and Netflix original series. Whether your loved one already has a Netflix account or they will be creating a new account, they can use a Netflix gift card toward their membership.
No credit card is required to redeem a gift code.
Codes are applied to your account as a gift balance. Gift codes can be added to any plan, regardless of the amount.
Redemption: Online

Monthly price: Check the current price in your market, not a historical US test price.
Ads and title availability: Netflix says most programs and films on ad-supported plans include commercial breaks, and some titles are unavailable because of licensing restrictions. Ad-supported plans are not offered in every region.
Simultaneous devices: Check how many supported devices can stream at the same time; this is separate from the number of people who can use a plan.
Picture quality: Compare the listed resolution and any other video features against the devices and connection you use.
Packages and add-ons: Some provider packages may include or add Netflix, but the terms depend on the package. Netflix confirms that eligible US T-Mobile packages exist; that alone does not establish savings for a particular customer.

Netflix’s plan details and information about ads and title availability are the relevant places to check current terms. Its content availability guidance explains that catalogues vary by region and can change over time.