Netflix fans will be VERY pleased with THIS major announcement

Netflix plans to increase the number of original TV seasons from 16 to 31 next year

NETFLIX has announced plans to double-down on its original programming next year.

 

Video on-demand service Netflix is bringing a slew of new original content to your smartphone, tablet, console and smart TV next year.

Netflix head of content Ted Sarandos announced plans to produce 31 new original series next year, compared to just 16 in 2015.

The streaming service has received praise and awards for its original shows, which include Orange is the New Black, House of Cards, Narcos, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Daredevil and Jessica Jones.

And if you haven't seen any of these award-winning shows on your Netflix account – you need should probably follow this simple tip to improve your recommendations. 

 

The online streaming firm also released a feature film documentary called The Square, which has since been nominated for an Academy Award.

Alongside these new seasons, Netflix will also release 10 full-length feature films, 30 TV shows for children, 12 documentaries and 10 comedy specials.

This marks a shift in Netflix's strategy and puts the video on-demand firm on equal footing with a number of traditional US cable networks, including HBO – who produces Game of Thrones – and Showtime – creator of Homeland.

Netflix announced a price hike for US subscribers earlier this year.

 



Netflix head of content Ted Sarandos said the US firm has some "quality stuff" in store for viewers



In a statement, the company justified the price bump by stating: "To continue adding more TV shows and movies including many Netflix original titles, we are modestly raising the price for some new members in the U.S., Canada and Latin America.

"As a thank you to existing Netflix members — who aren’t already benefiting from a previous price guarantee — we will maintain their current price for a year."

And this increase in original content appears to be the result of that additional revenue.

Head of content Ted Sarandos revealed the news at the UBS Media Conference in New York, saying the firm has some "quality stuff" in store for viewers.

 

Netflix is facing increased competition from services such as Prime Video, which is bundled with an Amazon Prime subscription – some £79 per year.

Unlike Netflix, Amazon Prime also includes free next-day delivery from the online retailer, access to a Kindle eBook library and other benefits.

Amazon also announced plans to air a new motoring show with ex-Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond in early 2016.

 

Amazon has commissioned three seasons of a new motoring show with Jeremy Clarkson

However Netflix Chief Product Officer Neil Hunt said the US firm had decided "it wasn't worth the money to make the deal".

He told Digital Spy, "We have past episodes of Top Gear, so we have a pretty good gauge of what audiences like.

"Our buying decisions tend to be somewhat data-driven. We have a lot of data to get the deals we want. Clearly it wasn't worth the money to make the deal."