Following Netflix''s president Ted Sarandos'' June confirmation that an ad-supported service would be available, the company today released details on its new Basic with Ads subscription plan.
The streaming service for Netflix Basic with Ads will cost $6.99 per month when it launches November 3 in the United States and the United Kingdom. Both Canada and Spain will get a head-start during the launch.
According to a Netflix corporate blog post announcing the ad-supported tier, the new offering will not have any impact on its current plans, which range from $9.99 to $19.99 per month in the United States and 10.99 to 15.99 per month.
The post said that ads will be divided between 15 and 30 seconds in length, and will appear before and during broadcasting. Overall, viewers can expect to see 4 to 5 minutes of ads per hour. Similar to the actual Basic plan, video quality will be limited to 720p HD rather than the 4K with HDR on the Premium tier.
According to Netlix, not all current programming will be available on the ad-supported platform because to restrictions. The company estimates that 5% to 10% of total programming will not be available depending on the country.
Our concerns about the Basic with Ads tier will not be able to download shows, according to Netflix''s post, which provides its Basic, Standard, and Premium subscribers with enhanced capabilities.
Analysis: Netflix with ads was inevitable
This year or two, Netflix has been scrambling to keep pace with new streaming competition from Disney, HBO, and other entertainment companies. In the first half of 2022, the company''s subscriber base slowed, causing it to lay off staff and to cancel productions that were currently underway, mainly in the animation industry.
In the midst of ongoing inflation and economic strain, Netlixs'' new ad-supported program has arrived one month prior to the introduction of Disney+''s ad-supported program, which, at $7.99, will represent a pricier option for those looking to mitigate household streaming costs.
Some viewers think the omission of ads from the ad-supported marketplace might be a deal breaker, since many are subscribed based on speculation about a particular show. Yes, maybe not everyone wants to watch The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes, but not being able to stream Stranger Things or Seinfeld after requesting a monthly fee? No, thanks!
Being able to download shows will be a concern, given that many use this feature to travel during a workday or other travel in situations where Wi-Fi or cellular services can be spotty. However, forking out more money for one of Netflix''s higher-priced ad-free programs fixes that issue, but then youre back to paying a premium.
The addition of the new policy allows Netflix to operate as a network, but it does not guarantee that it will differ from other streaming services.
Do you have an already Netflix subscription? Here are our picks for the best Netflix shows you can watch today.