<p> Netflix Inc is testing longer subscription plans in India as it looks to attract more users in a highly competitive market where smartphone and internet usage is soaring.</p>.<p>New users of Netflix in India may have the option to choose from three- six- and 12-month plans at discounts of up to 50%, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters.</p>.<p>The Los Gatos, California-based company has previously used India as a testing ground for new features, launching a mobile-only monthly plan starting at 199 rupees ($2.79) this year.</p>.<p>Including the mobile plan, the company currently offers four plans in India, with its premium plan costing 799 rupees per month.</p>.<p>"We believe that our members may value the flexibility that comes from being able to pay for a few months at once. As always, this is a test and we will only introduce it more broadly if people find it useful," a spokeswoman for Netflix India said in an email, but declined to give further details.</p>.<p>The U.S. video streaming company is spending $15 billion on content as it battles Amazon.com Inc's Prime Video service, Hulu, and Disney's newly launched streaming service for subscribers.</p>.<p>Netflix Chief Executive Officer Reed Hastings said last week the company was spending about $420 million on content for India, where it has already launched original series such as gangster drama "Sacred Games" and police procedural "Delhi Crime".</p>.<p>Speaking at a media conference in New Delhi, Hastings also said the company's first animated series from India, "Mighty Little Bheem", had been watched by 27 million households worldwide, in a sign of the country's importance to Netflix's plans for global expansion.</p>.<p>The producer of original series such as "The Crown" and "Sex Education", Netflix has nearly 160 million paying users worldwide, but has not disclosed subscriber figures for India.</p>.<p>The trial 3-month plans will be offered at a 20% discount to original prices, while users will get a 30% discount for six-month plans, the source said.</p>.<p>The Economic Times daily reported earlier on Wednesday that Netflix was testing longer subscription plans in India.</p>
<p> Netflix Inc is testing longer subscription plans in India as it looks to attract more users in a highly competitive market where smartphone and internet usage is soaring.</p>.<p>New users of Netflix in India may have the option to choose from three- six- and 12-month plans at discounts of up to 50%, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters.</p>.<p>The Los Gatos, California-based company has previously used India as a testing ground for new features, launching a mobile-only monthly plan starting at 199 rupees ($2.79) this year.</p>.<p>Including the mobile plan, the company currently offers four plans in India, with its premium plan costing 799 rupees per month.</p>.<p>"We believe that our members may value the flexibility that comes from being able to pay for a few months at once. As always, this is a test and we will only introduce it more broadly if people find it useful," a spokeswoman for Netflix India said in an email, but declined to give further details.</p>.<p>The U.S. video streaming company is spending $15 billion on content as it battles Amazon.com Inc's Prime Video service, Hulu, and Disney's newly launched streaming service for subscribers.</p>.<p>Netflix Chief Executive Officer Reed Hastings said last week the company was spending about $420 million on content for India, where it has already launched original series such as gangster drama "Sacred Games" and police procedural "Delhi Crime".</p>.<p>Speaking at a media conference in New Delhi, Hastings also said the company's first animated series from India, "Mighty Little Bheem", had been watched by 27 million households worldwide, in a sign of the country's importance to Netflix's plans for global expansion.</p>.<p>The producer of original series such as "The Crown" and "Sex Education", Netflix has nearly 160 million paying users worldwide, but has not disclosed subscriber figures for India.</p>.<p>The trial 3-month plans will be offered at a 20% discount to original prices, while users will get a 30% discount for six-month plans, the source said.</p>.<p>The Economic Times daily reported earlier on Wednesday that Netflix was testing longer subscription plans in India.</p>