Netflix removes basic ad-free plan in US and UK

Netflix has reduced its rate catalog in the United States and the United Kingdom, two regions where the basic plan without ads can no longer be contracted. This is the same movement as the service of streaming executed in Canada last month. For now in Spain there are no changes in rates, but the trend seems clear.

US and UK customers who subscribe to Netflix’s basic plan have the option to keep their subscription, as long as they don’t cancel or change their option. If they do, they won’t be able to re-hire it because it’s no longer available “for new members or re-subscribing members.” After this decision Netflix only offers in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, three of its main markets, the standard plan with advertising for $6.99 (4.99 pounds) per month; the standard plan for $15.49 (£10.99) per month; and the premium plan for $19.99 (£15.99) per month.

The basic ad-free plan was priced at $9.99 and was a happy medium between the ad-supported fare and the more expensive options. This option allows users to view all Netflix content at 720p, ad-free, on a single device, and without the option of adding an extra member. Speaking to Varietya Netflix spokesperson has limited himself to saying that “our entry prices of $6.99 in the United States and £4.99 in the United Kingdom [para el plan estándar con anuncios] they are lower than those of the competition, and offer great value to consumers thanks to the breadth and quality of our catalogue”.

In Spain, Netflix continues to allow you to hire the basic plan without ads for 7.99 euros per month. However, this option does not appear directly when a new user wants to sign up for the service at streaming. What the client finds is a page where only the standard plans with ads (5.49 euros), standard (12.99 euros) and premium (17.99 euros) are shown. To see the basic rate without ads, click on “see all plans”. This also happened in the United States and the United Kingdom. Time will tell if in Spain the basic plan without ads is also eliminated or not.

Netflix has around 220 million customers worldwide and last May said the basic plan with ads had about 5 million monthly users.