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McWetty

macrumors regular
Oct 7, 2011
237
1,067
If they had a logical business model that offered 4K across the board, GOOD shows without the filler crap, and a reasonable access plan (pay for the streams you need, regardless of location) then they would be headed in the right direction. But with so much competition, it’s impossible to ask so much for so little.

This isn’t 2009; back when there was no streaming competition and they were hosting everyone else’s content. We’re basically back to cable. Paying for ads.
 

sw1tcher

macrumors 603
Jan 6, 2004
5,467
19,077
Netflix today quietly eliminated its most affordable ad-free plan in the United States and the United Kingdom, raising the price of ad-free streaming options.

In the U.S., the Basic plan was priced at $9.99 per month, and with its removal, ad-free streaming now starts at $15.49 per month. Netflix subscribers can opt for the $6.99 per month "Standard with ads" plan, but that price point includes advertisements.
Smart move on Netflix's part as the $6.99/mo ad supported plan makes Netflix more profit than the old $9.99/mo Basic no ads plan.

Now, those $9.99/mo subscribers will have to decide to either

(a) pay more for the $15.49/mo no ads plan
(b) downgrade to the $6.99/mo ad supported plan
(c) cancel

Netflix wins with (a) and (b). I'm not expectig too many people will go with (c).

Netflix might see an initial spike in cancellations, but, like those who initially cancelled during the password sharing crackdown, they will return later on.
 

Stromos

macrumors 6502a
Jul 1, 2016
795
1,913
Woodstock, GA
Smart move on Netflix's part as the $6.99/mo ad supported plan makes Netflix more profit than the old $9.99/mo Basic no ads plan.

Now, those $9.99/mo subscribers will have to decide to either

(a) pay more for the $15.49/mo no ads plan
(b) downgrade to the $6.99/mo ad supported plan
(c) cancel

Netflix wins with (a) and (b). I'm not expectig too many people will go with (c).

Netflix might see an initial spike in cancellations, but, like those who initially cancelled during the password sharing crackdown, they will return later on.
Amazing how many people just keep doubling down that Netflix is so important. It's why they keep screwing people harder and harder. Starbucks of streaming.
 

daneoni

macrumors G4
Mar 24, 2006
11,635
1,189
Once i finish Henry Cavill's The Witcher (Season 3) next week. I will be cancelling Netflix (which i got as part of my TV package anyway)
 

Zardoz2293

macrumors newbie
Nov 14, 2016
19
21
Washington


Netflix today quietly eliminated its most affordable ad-free plan in the United States and the United Kingdom, raising the price of ad-free streaming options.

Netflix-Smaller-4.jpg

In the U.S., the Basic plan was priced at $9.99 per month, and with its removal, ad-free streaming now starts at $15.49 per month. Netflix subscribers can opt for the $6.99 per month "Standard with ads" plan, but that price point includes advertisements.

New customers who want an ad-free streaming experience will now need to pay $5.50 more without the Basic plan. As noted by Cord Busters, this shift will put more focus on Netflix's ad-supported plan, and it is a move that the company already tested in Canada starting last month.

After saying for years that it had no plans to introduce ads, Netflix debuted an ad-supported tier in late 2022. Netflix opted into ads after losing subscribers for the first time in 10 years in early 2022. That led Netflix to debut a cheaper ad-supported tier and to crack down on multi-household password sharing.

The ad-supported tier shows between four and five minutes of ads per hour, with ads that vary in length from 15 to 30 seconds. Ads play before and during TV shows and movies.

Existing Netflix customers who had already signed up for the $9.99 Basic plan can keep their plans for now, with the change limited to new or rejoining members. Netflix says customers can remain on the Basic plan until they change plans or cancel their accounts.

The $6.99 per month (U.S.) Standard with ads plan offers "all but a few movies and TV shows" and allows customers to watch on two supported devices in full HD, which is 1080p. It does not include offline downloads.

The $15.49 Standard plan includes all TV shows and movies, supports streaming on two devices at a time, and also offers 1080p streaming quality. Content can be downloaded for offline viewing on two supported devices, and there is an option to pay an additional $7.99 to add a person outside the household to the plan.

Netflix's $19.99 per month Premium tier offers support for streaming on four devices at one time (in the same household), and it is the only plan that provides 4K content. Netflix continues to be the only streaming company that charges extra for higher streaming quality.

The Premium plan also includes downloads on six devices, Netflix spatial audio, and the option to add two extra non-household members to a plan for $7.99 per month each.

Article Link: Netflix Nixes Cheapest $9.99 Plan in U.S., Ad-Free Streaming Now Starts at $15.49 Per Month
 

Nikojas

macrumors newbie
Feb 11, 2023
21
15
🇬🇧
Off topic slightly … if you downgrade to the ad supported Netflix can you use an ad blocker to remove the ads?!
 

sw1tcher

macrumors 603
Jan 6, 2004
5,467
19,077
So just like the cable companies before it, who originally promised that for a monthly fee you'd have no ads
There was never such a promise


July 26, 1981

Although cable television was never conceived of as television without commercial interruption, there has been a widespread impression - among the public, at least -that cable would be supported largely by viewers' monthly subscription fees. These days, however, as cables are laid across the country and new programs constantly pop up to fill the gaping maw, cable experts are talking as glibly about the potential advertising revenues as they are about opportunities for programming.
 
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