Netflix has hiked prices for its premium, four-screen service by 27 percent for customers in the UAE, who will pay $15.2 (AED 56) instead of $12 (AED 44) for their next subscription, with the payment to be taken in UAE dirhams instead of US dollars.

Customers subscribed to the standard, two-screen package will also pay a 5.4 percent higher charge of $10.6 (AED 39) instead of $10 (AED 37). However, customers subscribed to the basic, one-screen subscription will continue to pay the same price of $8 (AED 29), with no change to the fee.

A Netflix spokesperson said prices are regularly adjusted to offer viewers a wider pool of entertainment options.

“From time to time, Netflix plans and pricing are adjusted as we switch to local currencies, add more exclusive series, movies, documentaries, stand-ups, kids content, introduce new product features and improve the overall Netflix experience to help members find something great to watch even faster,” the spokesperson said.

According to the steaming service, the price adjustment is the first of its kind since Netflix launched in the UAE in 2016. Since then, it increased its global content available to regional viewers by 172 percent.

Last year, it also launched its first Middle Eastern Original, a stand-up special by Lebanese actor and comedian Adel Karam, and in August, its first regional original drama Jinn began shooting in Jordan.

Upcoming original content available globally includes Marvel’s Iron Fist, which will launch on September 7, Narcos: Mexico, which will launch in Q4 this year, amongst others.

Moreover, it introduced new technical features that allow for watching pre-downloaded content offline as well as improved parental control and mobile previews.

While the price changes will apply across the Gulf region, only UAE and Saudi Arabia customers will switch to paying in local currency. Viewers in Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait will continue to pay their monthly bills in dollars for the time being.