NETFLIX fans are fuming after the streaming giant started bumping some users onto its ad-based subscription.
The popular platform warned users that its basic plan would start to disappear last year.
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Basic was the cheapest option without ads, costing £7.99 a month in the UK.
The move will roll out to other countries including the US.
Netflix yanked the option for new subscribers but allowed existing account holders to continue paying for the basic plan – until now.
Frustrated viewers have started receiving emails informing them they’ll be switched to the ad-based plan soon.
The ad-based plan is cheaper at £4.99 / $6.99 per month but affected viewers aren’t happy about the prospect of having to watch adverts.
Those who want to avoid ads will have to upgrade to the standard tier and pay extra.
“Is this a joke?” one user wrote on X.
“I don’t need a standard package. And I don’t pay to stream with ads.
“This is forcing people to endure ads or pay £36 more every year for the same content.
“I get adding new options..but punishing loyal customers by discontinuing? Poor move.”
Another wrote: “You raised the price dramatically while telling me that I should choose the cheaper with an advertising option. I won’t.
“I am not paying money to be still bombarded with advertising. But this is enough. No more.”
How Netflix’s plans look now
Netflix now offers three subscription tiers after briefly having four when the ad-supported plan was introduced.
- Standard with adverts – £4.99 / $6.99
1080p
Two devices can watch at the same time
Two download devices
Features “a few ad breaks”
Some content missing due to licencing agreements around the inclusion of ads - Standard – £10.99 / $15.49
1080p
Two devices can watch at the same time
Two download devices
Full catalogue of content
No ads - Premium – £17.99 / $22.99
4K + HDR
Four devices can watch at the same time
Six download devices
Full catalogue of content
No ads
A third added: “I don’t want adverts! And £10.99 for none is daylight robbery!”
Accounts will be switched from next month.
This is forcing people to endure ads or pay £36 more every year for the same content
Netflix User
Subscribers in Canada have also received a similar email telling them they will have to manually choose a new plan.
They will have until June 1 to choose or their membership will be automatically cancelled.
Why is Netflix Basic gone?
Analysis by Jamie Harris, Senior Technology and Science Reporter at The Sun
Netflix Basic’s future has been hanging in the balance for a while now.
And it might not be the only change – bosses previously suggested they are exploring other tier options with ads in mind.
The push towards ads is hardly surprising, everyone is at it now, including Disney+ and Amazon Prime.
Netflix’s advertising chief revealed in January that the ad-based tier now has more than 23million global active users per month.
Of course, users who have enjoyed having no interruptions during their shows all these years aren’t too happy about the shift, saying streamers are essentially morphing into traditional satellite or cable TV services.
With prices pretty much increasing annually, companies have tried to offset the impact by telling users they can keep (or lower) their current subscription cost with ads – but if you want an ad-free experience you’ll have to pay more for the privilege.
So expect to see more ad-backed subscription models in future.