(NASDAQ: NFLX) has been sitting out the price hikes for ad-free streaming services this year, but it could be time for the top dog to stand up and stretch its legs. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Netflix will raise prices for its most popular subscription tier, which offers access without commercials, shortly after the end of the Screen Actors Guild strike.

Netflix isn't confirming the report, but when the always popular "people familiar with the matter" reach out to the Journal, it's often just a matter of time before it becomes official.

Streaming services have been largely holding firm on pricing for their advertising-supported tiers, a move that should keep churn in check for the most price-sensitive consumers. The battleground for hikes has come primarily from the premium-priced offerings where customers can take advantage of the on-demand platforms without time-consuming ad breaks.

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Source Fool.com