Netflix has officially launched its commercially supported Basic with ads tier to subscribers. It has been one of the most talked about elements of the streaming platform, and it now comes to fruition.
The streaming wars took a massive step forward during the pandemic, and Netflix crafted itself a niche as the dominant entertainment platform. With so many services lobbying for positions and looking for the next way to stay ahead, Netflix has made a massive change to its long-held model.
Netflix now has commercials
The pioneering streaming network had suffered for a long period with losing subscribers at a rapid rate. With 2022 marking the first time it notched a subscriber count that exceeded projections. Despite their continued reluctance, the brand has just introduced advertisements to a platform that has long resisted the temptation.
The newly announced tier will have mostly the same selection as subscribers to the $9.99 plan. The Basic with ads plan, however, will be cheaper and feature four to five advertisements per hour of viewership of any TV series or movie. In addition, ads are set to be around 15 to 30 seconds long.
Netflix’s newly introduced Basic with ads tier is an entirely new venture for the streaming giant. Subsequently costing $6.99 a month, it presents an alternative to potential customers in a host of countries.
The U.S., Canada, Australia, Brazil, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom will all have access to the new tier. Yet, different price points are set to be introduced, dependent on the location of the customer.
Netflix has been clear in stating that its current consumer base won’t be impacted by the change. Moreover, the newly announced plan will complement the consumer base that currently subscribes to their service.
Regardless of most subscribers remaining unaffected, this is a massive development in the company’s history. With the deteriorating customer base, Netflix was bound to change how it approached the delivery of its content. Advertisements are their next step in combatting their falling status.