Netflix has been at the top of the streaming game for years now, but it’s seeing more and more competition from the likes of Amazon Prime, HBO Max, and Hulu. The entertainment giant has recently announced plans for a new subscription that will offer a cheaper option for users who don’t mind ads being part of their service.
What is the Netflix Basic ads plan?
Netflix Basic is a new subscription plan Netflix is launching in November. For a lower monthly cost, users can access a viewing experience with ads and video quality of up to 720p. The service limits users to a single phone, tablet, TV, or computer at a time and will be available for $6.99 a month in the US and £4.99 in the UK. Basic users will still have access to most TV shows and movies, though a small number won’t be available due to licensing issues.
The new subscription will initially only be available in 12 countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and Japan. The experience will feature an average of five minutes of ads per hour, lasting between 15 to 30 seconds each. Basic marks the first time Netflix incorporates ads into its service, though users with a standard or premium subscription will not be affected.
What happens if you already subscribe to Netflix?
Users who wish to maintain a standard or premium subscription will continue to pay the same monthly fee. The experience will not change, and Netflix will not include ads in those options (as of yet). While regular members can still download shows and movies for offline viewing, Basic subscribers will lose access to this feature. Although this allows viewers to binge their favourite offerings without draining their data cap, Basic will require users to stream everything they watch. Perhaps another reason why this new subscription may not be as worthwhile as it seems.
Furthermore, ads will not be shown to those users playing Netflix games. Although Basic subscribers will lose access to a small portion of Netflix shows and movies, they will likely be able to watch Netflix Originals as part of this plan.
Why is Netflix doing this?
Netflix lost a significant chunk of subscribers in 2022. Their stock price is declining, and their decade of unprecedented growth is ending. Although they said ads were not likely to be incorporated into the service, it seems they have given over to the idea. It’s undoubtedly going to be a controversial move. Ads aren’t popular, and this is evedent in several scenarios. When using technology, no one likes to be disturbed while watching their favourite shows, shopping online, or playing a casino game at a live casino UK for example, as it disturbs the users experience. Only time will tell how popular this service will become with Netflix’s subscribers.
Conclusion
Netflix Basic launches this November in 12 countries. Time will tell how popular the new subscription will be. The cheaper price point may be enticing to some users, though it’s only slightly more affordable than the regular subscription, and the ads may prove too intrusive to be worth saving $3 a month.
