Netflix is getting so original, it's taken over HBO

Netflix's race to make itself a leader in original programming is paying off. Last year it produced more exclusive shows, measured in hours, than HBO.

But its aggressive expansion isn't without cost; next month, it will raise prices for loyal subscribers, and it faces tougher competition from less expensive rivals.

In 2015, Netflix put out 450 hours of its own shows and movies, compared to 401 from Time Warner's HBO, according to numbers from both companies. This year, both Netflix and HBO promise roughly 600 hours of original material.

Netflix will test the loyalty of its long-time subscribers next month when it hikes their monthly fees by 25 percent to $10 a month. The change could hit as many as 22 million subscribers.