When you think of streaming services, there's probably one name that comes to mind first... Netflix.

When Netflix first launched in 1997, no-one could have predicted how drastically the entertainment industry would change over the years, let alone the company.

In its 24th year, Netflix shows no signs of slowing down. From new shows and movies to new features, Netflix is doing everything it can to make sure that everyone's eyes stay glued to its service in 2021. Here's how it plans to do that...

1. One New Original Movie Every Week

Netflix has had many milestones since its inception, but one of the most important has to be the debut of political series House of Cards in 2013. It was the first fully original content to land on the platform, and it spread like wildfire by word of mouth.

Since then, Netflix has only increased its investment into original content. When you think of a Netflix original, you likely think of quality shows like BoJack Horseman and Stranger Things, or great movies like Roma and Beasts of No Nation.

In 2021, Netflix isn't holding back. It plans to release at least one new original movie every week of the year. These aren't just small productions, either. They feature some of the entertainment industry's biggest names in front of and behind the camera, including Amy Adams, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Chris Hemsworth.

2. More Foreign Language TV Shows

In 2020, Netflix passed the 200 million subscriber mark. Interestingly, in the growth that year, 83 percent of subscribers came from outside the US and Canada.

For example, in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, over 15 million people signed up for Netflix.

In its Q4 2020 shareholders letter [PDF], Netflix revealed that local content like the German action series Barbarians and the Korean horror show Sweet Home all performed excellently on home turf.

However, there are many examples of these shows finding a global audience too. A prime example of this is Lupin, a French language heist series, that topped the charts in countries like the US, Brazil, Italy, and Spain, to name just a few.

Netflix has been a worldwide concern for years now, but it's clear that the growth potential hasn't topped out. That's why Netflix will continue to invest heavily in its foreign-language content in 2021.

3. A Shuffle Play Feature

With all this new content on Netflix, it's going to get even harder to decide what to watch. Do you ever feel like you spend ages trying to choose something, only to feel overwhelmed and give up?

After being requested by customers for a long time, finally, Netflix is launching a Shuffle Play feature.

This puts the decision-making into the hands of the Netflix algorithm. Based on factors like your viewing habits and your ratings, the Shuffle Play feature will choose something for you to watch. All you need to do is press a button.

The Shuffle Play feature should launch in the first half of 2021 for smart TVs and will likely be accessible from the sidebar.

4. A Price Increase (In Some Countries)

netflix price increase

All of this new content to Netflix isn't going to fund itself. As such, you can expect Netflix to increase its prices at some point in 2021.

In November 2020, Netflix became more expensive in the US. Before this, the last price hike was in January 2019. That 22-month gap means that customers in the US might not see any price increase in 2021.

However, other regions won't be so lucky. In February 2021, the cost of a standard plan in the UK is rising from £8.99/month to £9.99/month, and a premium plan is going from £11.99/month to £13.99/month.

You can expect similar changes in other countries. Of course, Netflix doesn't announce these increases until nearer the time, as it's hardly something to shout about.

Should You Subscribe to Netflix?

Are you one of the few people who hasn't yet subscribed to Netflix? What are you waiting for? Not only does Netflix have lots of great stuff planned for 2021, but it has a wealth of existing content that can be viewed across multiple devices simultaneously.