Netflix Has Begun Phasing Out Its Basic Ad-Free Plan
Customers in the UK and Canada have until July 13 to change their subscription.
- Though Kourtnee hasn't won any journalism awards yet, she's been a Netflix streaming subscriber since 2012 and knows the magic of its hidden codes.
Netflix is sunsetting its cheapest Basic ad-free option for some customers. The streamer initially announced its decision in a letter to shareholders earlier this year, saying it would start with the UK and Canada in the second quarter. Additionally, Netflix is moving forward with shutting down the Basic subscription option in select regions where the ad-based version is available.
Making good on the promise, on-screen notifications showing a deadline to upgrade subscriptions have begun popping up for some users. "Your last day to watch Netflix is July 13. Choose a new plan to keep watching," reads the message shared by a user on Reddit.
The streamer dropped its Basic ad-free plan for new subscribers in the US and UK in July 2023 and followed up last October with a price increase for legacy customers with the subscription. The price was bumped up to $12 per month for existing customers in the US, with increases in the UK and France as well.
With the new change this year, US subscribers, if affected, will have three plans to choose from: Basic With Ads ($7 per month), ad-free Standard ($15.50 a month) or Premium ($23 per month). If you want to share your account with someone outside your household, there's an optional extra member fee of $8 per month. Netflix's ad-based plan is one of its most popular -- and cheaper than rivals Disney Plus and Hulu -- but we'll note that not every title is available to stream on the plan. You must upgrade to access certain TV shows and blockbuster movies.
During Netflix's earnings call earlier this year, co-CEO Greg Peters highlighted the value of the ad-supported subscription versus the Basic plan, pointing out that the $7 option offers two streams, better video quality and downloads.
The streaming service cited its entertainment value and highlighted its expanding video games lineup and live sports programming. After testing the live streaming waters with a comedy special and golf tournament, Netflix is diving deeper into live sports. It streamed a tennis match between Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz this past March, and the media giant inked a deal with World Wrestling Entertainment.
Starting January 2025, wrestling fans in the US, UK, Canada and Latin America can watch live Monday Night Raw matches on the platform, with additional regions to come. Netflix will also be the destination for international subscribers who want to watch Smackdown, WrestleMania and other popular WWE shows.
Be sure to check out our coverage of Netflix's games and what ad-based subscriptions offer across the streaming universe.