Netflix Eliminates its Cheapest Ad-Free Tier, Alerts Users to Change Plans ASAP

Netflix discontinued its cheapest ad-free tier as several subscribers received a notice reminding them to change their plans within the month.

Earlier this year, the company announced that the Basic plan will be "retired" in Canada and the U.K. by the second quarter.

Netflix Basic Plan Subscribers Must Change Plans Soon

A Reddit user shared an alert from his Netflix account, showing that selecting a new plan is the only way to continue watching. The existing Basic tier is officially discontinued and subscribers are given until July 13 to continue watching.

"Your Basic plan has been discontinued, but you can easily switch to a new one. Plans start at $5.99 with upgraded features," the notification read.

Starting this month, Netflix will only offer the standard ad-supported tier for CA$5.99 which includes full HD viewing for up to two devices.

The Standard ad-free tier comes at CA$16.49 for two devices while the Premium ad-free tier provides Ultra HD quality on up to four devices for CA$20.99.

Netflix Pushes Ad-Free Tiers on Subscribers to Increase Revenue

The Q4 report of Netflix for 2024 revealed that the membership of the ad has increased by almost 70% quarter over quarter. The company attributed the boost to the retirement of the Basic plan for its new and rejoining members.

While the report only hinted that the Basic ad-free tier will be discontinued in Canada and the U.K., Netflix shared that it will only be the start.

The streaming giant has yet to confirm when it will start phasing out the Basic plan for existing members in the U.S. Last year, Netflix closed the tier for new and returning members in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.

Netflix reported that over 40 million users have subscribed to its ad-supported plan as of May.