In their latest attempt to gauge just how much subscribers worship the sweet intoxication of binge-watching, streaming demi-god Netflix (also known as ‘The Institution’), has decided to raise its prices in the UK, US, and France. The price of its basic plan in the UK is increasing by a whole precious pound, moving from £6.99 to £7.99 per month. As for the premium ad-free plan, the current £15.99 per month is going to spike all the way up to £17.99 because what's better than a wholesome experience of uninterrupted suspense. Why the sudden increase, you may ask? Well, friends, it seems that Netflix has found an exceptional form of recreation in smiling all the way to the bank. Despite its peaking subscription rates, Netflix revealed that its user growth has exceeded expectations – mainly because the company clamped down on password sharing. Sharing, it seems, is no longer caring when Netflix is concerned. The password policing has resulted in an ostensible cascade of thirsty media consumers who - gasp - had to finally sign up for their own accounts. Who knew!? In response to the price hikes, Netflix viewers are expeditiously formulating ways to reduce the impact on their personal budgets. Some loyalists suggest rationing – watching only one episode a day to make the subscription fees feel less burdensome. Others were lured into launching their own productions, aspiring to "Jerry Seinfeld" their way out of the hike. It is indeed a golden age for fans of amateur horror documentaries. “Why not?” said Fatima, a bank clerk and die-hard binge watcher, “Instead of paying them more for pretending to live in 'Stranger Things', I’m considering making my own mediocre sci-fiction thriller. If it ever lifts off, I’ll make Netflix buy it and siphon money back into my own pocket!” In essence, while Netflix testing the prices to see how many love letters can still be captured from customers’ wallets, the streaming giant is reminding us all that nothing can quite replace the magic of Stranger Things or the allure of the Crown – not even the sight of one's dwindling bank account. After all, can one truly put a price on the ecstasy of never having to experience the uncertainty of what happens after an episode cliff-hanger?