2024-05-03 02:33:09
Netflix is considering abolishing the basic ad-free subscription. Affected users must choose one of the three remaining options.
The streaming provider Netflix is apparently changing its subscription structure and ending the ad-free basic subscription. This emerges from a screenshot that a Netflix user from the USA shared on the “Reddit.com” platform.
The email Netflix sent to the customer states that the current basic subscription will automatically expire on July 1st. However, the user has the option of converting their current subscription into one of the three other subscription models – otherwise there is a risk of termination.
Are German users also affected?
When asked by t-online whether this change would also affect German Netflix customers, the company referred to a statement by co-CEO Greg Peters in a quarterly report at the beginning of the year. It says: “We plan to discontinue the basic tariff in some markets where the promotional subscription is available.”
The same report also states that the planned transition will initially occur in the United Kingdom and Canada in the second quarter of 2024. It is currently unknown whether – and if so when – other countries such as Germany will follow. They probably want to wait and see how customers react first.
One thing is certain: The ad-free basic subscription has no longer been available for new customers in Germany since October 2023. Netflix may soon want to advance this process in this country and motivate existing customers to switch to a different subscription model.
Three models: subscriptions and prices
Users who don’t want advertising would then have to weigh up whether the added value of the selected model justifies a price increase. While the standard subscription with advertising currently costs 4.99 euros per month, the cheapest offer without advertising would then cost 13.99 euros every month – instead of 9.99 euros for the previous basic model.
Both standard subscriptions (with and without advertising) offer users all films and series in full HD resolution on two devices at the same time. You can also download content on two devices at the same time. With the ad-free standard subscription, users also have the option of adding an additional member who does not live with them.
For users with higher demands, there is also a premium subscription for 19.99 euros per month. This offers films and series in Ultra HD resolution (4K) and so-called Netflix 3-D audio on up to four devices at the same time. The content can also be downloaded on up to six devices at the same time, and two additional members from another household can be added.