Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- tier /teer/
- subscription /suhb-SKRIP-shuhn/
- streaming /STREE-ming/
- market /MAHR-kit/
- platform /PLAT-fawrm/
[noun] – one of several levels or layers
The second tier of this course is practical training.
[noun] – an amount of money that you pay regularly to receive a product or service
My subscription with Meg Magazine will expire next month.
[noun] – the activity of listening to or watching sound or video directly from the internet
A new online streaming service called Bixflix will arrive in the market.
[noun] – the business or trade in a particular product, including financial products
Prices continued to fall on the stock market today.
[noun] – a method of communication or entertainment, for example television, radio, or the internet
Social media platforms should be used responsibly.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Netflix has reported last week that all of its tiers will raise their monthly subscription in the United States and Canada by $1 to $2 per month depending on a user’s plan. The last time it soared its prices was in October 2020. The said move has also made its stock price increase in the streaming market.
In the U.S., the standard high-definition subscription tier hikes from $13.99 to $15.49 (from ¥1591.52 to ¥1762.16) per month. Canada’s rate, meanwhile, goes up from C$14.99 to C$16.49 (¥1348.61 to ¥1483.56). The price jump goes into effect immediately for all new subscribers. In its statement with the news agency Reuters, the streaming service explained that the price hikes are happening to pay for new programming and give the platform the advantage to compete against a crowded streaming market, such as Hulu, HBO Max, Disney Plus, Sling TV, and Peacock. “We understand people have more entertainment choices than ever and we’re committed to delivering an even better experience for our members,” a Netflix representative said. “We’re updating our prices so that we can continue to offer a wide variety of quality entertainment options. As always, we offer a range of plans so members can pick a price that works for their budget.” About 74 million users between the U.S. and Canada can expect to see the higher rates on either their next bill or the one after (depending on what day the billing cycle falls).
In the U.S., the standard high-definition subscription tier hikes from $13.99 to $15.49 (from ¥1591.52 to ¥1762.16) per month. Canada’s rate, meanwhile, goes up from C$14.99 to C$16.49 (¥1348.61 to ¥1483.56). The price jump goes into effect immediately for all new subscribers. In its statement with the news agency Reuters, the streaming service explained that the price hikes are happening to pay for new programming and give the platform the advantage to compete against a crowded streaming market, such as Hulu, HBO Max, Disney Plus, Sling TV, and Peacock. “We understand people have more entertainment choices than ever and we’re committed to delivering an even better experience for our members,” a Netflix representative said. “We’re updating our prices so that we can continue to offer a wide variety of quality entertainment options. As always, we offer a range of plans so members can pick a price that works for their budget.” About 74 million users between the U.S. and Canada can expect to see the higher rates on either their next bill or the one after (depending on what day the billing cycle falls).
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- How much time do you spend watching movies or series?
- Does your country have a streaming platform similar to Netflix? How much does its service cost?
- Suppose you are a Netflix user, would you switch to another platform due to the current price hikes? Why or why not?
- For you, are streaming services like Netflix better than your local TV channels?
- Could streaming services eventually replace traditional media? Please explain your answer.
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- standard
- high-definition
- compete
- entertainment
- rate