Netflix stops to offer the cheapest ad free plan

Netflix is gradually discontinuing its most affordable ad-free package in several regions. According to The Verge, several Reddit postings from users of the Netflix Basic plan in Canada and the UK claim they have gotten warnings in the Netflix app telling them they will no longer be able to use the streaming service on July 13 unless they upgrade to a different plan.

Netflix had previously stated in January that it would discontinue its ad-free Basic plan in more of its markets in the second quarter of 2024, beginning with the UK and Canada. Today's disclosure indicates that Netflix will fall short of that target date by a few weeks.

This implies that users of the Basic no-ads plan in Canada and the UK will either need to convert to the less expensive Basic (with ads) plan or sign up for one of the more costly no-ads plans. A larger portion of Netflix's revenue is coming from its 40 million users who subscribe to the Basic plan with commercials, as the streaming firm previously revealed back in May.

For US customers who have already opted for that price tier, Netflix's Basic plan with advertisements is still accessible at this time. At the moment, the monthly cost is $11,99. But like their counterparts in Canada or the UK, it's probably just a matter of weeks or months before those users are forced to transfer to a new plan.

There were reports a few weeks ago that Netflix management were debating whether or not to make the service entirely free in exchange for advertisements. If this type of service is introduced, it won't be offered in the US; instead, it might be introduced in some regions of Europe and Asia, where the business may still be able to sign up some lapsed subscribers.