John Paul M. Joaquin Tech 06.28.2023 05:Jun AM EDT

Netflix Silently Axes Basic Plan Without Ads in Canada

Netflix might be removing its ad-free basic plan soon.

The popular streaming company had reportedly stopped offering its basic plan in Canada without any announcement or notice, forcing people subscribed to that plan to subscribe to the ad-supported plan or pay more for higher, ad-free tiers.

Netflix launched its ad-supported plans in 2022 to make its streaming services more affordable to people who find their ad-free plans too expensive.

Netflix Canada Axes Basic Plan

Netflix seems to be up to something - its website in Canada no longer offers its ad-free basic plan (which costs $9.99 CAD) to new subscribers without the company saying anything on the matter, per Canadian publication BlogTo (via Tech Crunch).

While the company mentioned on its Canadian support page it is no longer offering its ad-free basic plan to new subscribers and rejoining members, it didn't provide any details about whether this change is a permanent decision or what would happen to current to the plan's subscribers. As such, those wishing to subscribe to Netflix must be content with its ad-supported plan or pay a higher amount for its other ad-free plans.

Tech Crunch had already reached out to Netflix to understand if it would do the same in other countries, though it has yet to hear from the company as of press time. The company is already doing something similar to its US market, wherein it hides its Basic plan from those creating a new account - they'll need to click on "See all plans" to make it appear on their screen.

Regardless, Netflix's removal of its ad-free basic plan is a turning point for the company, which may want to simplify and consolidate its subscription plans. However, it could leave a big gap between the ad-supported and ad-free plans.

Currently, its ad-supported plan, "Standard with ads," is available for Canadians to subscribe to for $5.99 CAD per month. If they wish to remove ads and enable downloads, they'll have to pay an extra $10.50 CAD to make up for the difference - Netflix Canada offers its Standard plan at $16.49 CAD per month.

The now-removed ad-free basic plan was priced at $9.99 CAD - a $4 CAD difference from its ad-supported plan.

Users should keep in mind, however, that the previously mentioned prices could go up depending on where a user lives in Canada due to taxes.

Netflix's Ad-supported Success

Netflix is having a blast with its ad-supported plan. It had attracted more than five million users worldwide to subscribe to its ad-supported plans, with analysts estimating that the company will earn more than $1.9 billion in ad revenues in 2024, per Tech Crunch.

However, its ad-supported plans have yet to arrive in many countries. You may recall that Netflix first offered its ad-supported plans in late 2022 to these countries: the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and Spain, per XDA Developers.