• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Netflix has removed its cheapest ad-free plan in bid to make subscribers pay more

Home> Film & TV> Netflix

Updated 17:30 19 Jul 2023 GMT+1Published 17:27 19 Jul 2023 GMT+1

Netflix has removed its cheapest ad-free plan in bid to make subscribers pay more

They kept the cheapest option, which features adverts

Kit Roberts

Kit Roberts

Netflix has axed its cheapest ad-free subscription package in the UK and US.

Previously, subscribers to Netflix could pay $9.99/£6.99 a month for the 'basic plan'. This was not the absolute cheapest option, but it was the cheapest option without any adverts.

The introduction of the package which included ads also proved a controversial decision for the company, as viewers were frustrated that they would pay for a subscription service and still have to watch adverts, which are more often found on free-to-access services.

However, now any new subscribers who want to have an ad-free experience on Netflix will have to pay a bit more for the privilege.

Advert

The cheapest ad-free option is now the 'Standard' option.

Netflix is has cut the cheapest ad-free subscription plan.
NurPhoto / Contributor/Future Publishing / Contributor

Previously, the $9.99 'Basic' option allowed users to stream in HD on only one device. This was a good package for people who only watch on one device and so don't need the extra options offered in the 'Standard' package.

The 'Standard' package offers HD streaming on two devices, which costs $15.49/£10.99 per month.

Advert

Any new subscribers to Netflix will now have to get this package if they want to avoid having to watch ads while streaming.

The cheapest option is $6.99/£4.99 per month, which has ads included.

If you are currently a subscriber to this plan, don't panic! Users who are currently subscribed to it can keep their subscription as long as they don't cancel or change their plan. However, once you move off this plan, there's no coming back.

Netflix has defended the move, highlighting that its cheapest option, the 'Basic with Ads' package, is still cheap.

Advert

Netflix told The Verge: “Starting prices of $6.99 in the US and £4.99 in the UK are lower than the competition.”

UNILAD has contacted Netflix for comment.

Netflix has defended the move.
NurPhoto / Contributor/Future Publishing / Contributor

It comes after the steaming platform hiked its prices back in 2022, with the 'Standard' option - which is also the most popular - increasing by £1 in the UK.

Advert

Netflix's stock price fell dramatically between January and May 2022, but has been recovering steadily since then.

However, the streamer is at the centre of the combined strike of the Writers' Guild of America , who were recently joined by the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).

The combined strike, the first since 1960, has seen production in Hollywood grind to a halt. Strikers are demanding increases in both base pay and residuals in the streaming TV era, and are also seeking assurances that their work will not be replaced by AI in the future.

One video showed Orange Is The New Black star Kimiko Glenn revealing her royalties for the series. These were a paltry $27.50.

Featured Image Credit: NurPhoto/Contributor/Future Publishing/Contributor

Topics: News, UK News, US News, Netflix

Kit Roberts
Kit Roberts

Kit joined UNILAD in 2023 as a community journalist. They have previously worked for StokeonTrentLive, the Daily Mirror, and the Daily Star.

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Netflix subscribers have binge-watched ’10/10’ sci-fi mini-series for more than 58,000,000 hours in its first week
  • Netflix subscribers urged to stream '10/10’ action series Vikings fans love before it’s removed for good
  • Netflix subscribers have days left to watch ‘nostalgic’ Britney Spears movie fans say was ‘ahead of its time’
  • Netflix to add '11/10' comedy classic and sequel labeled the ‘perfect 90s movie’

Choose your content:

13 hours ago
20 hours ago
a day ago
2 days ago
  • 13 hours ago

    Breaking Bad fans urged to stream ‘binge-worthy’ Netflix series that has viewers hooked and boasts 96% ratings

    Fans are obsessed with the show's cast, too

    Film & TV
  • 20 hours ago

    Macaulay Culkin reveals surprising reason he thinks Home Alone 2 is better than Home Alone

    Home Alone 2 released two years after the original movie

    Film & TV
  • a day ago

    Netflix is losing 91% rated series that's ‘better the second time’ and you can binge in one day

    Fans are gutted over its departure

    Film & TV
  • 2 days ago

    South Park seemingly respond after Kristi Noem calls creators 'sexist' for criticizing her looks

    Kristi Noem called out the creators of South Park during a recent podcast appearance

    Film & TV