Netflix change means there’s no cheap UK subscription option to avoid adverts, unless you’re among the lucky few.
The Netflix basic plan has now been discontinued in the UK, following a similar move in Canada. US subscribers are also affected. New and rejoining Netflix customers only have the option to choose between ‘standard with ads’, standard and premium.
Current Netflix Basic subscribers are being allowed to stay on the plan for now. But the lucky few with sub £10, ad-free Netflix access have been warned that if they ever leave or change their plan, they won’t be able to return to Basic.
The move is reportedly designed to increase the uptake of Netflix with ads, which the company is interested in turning into a nice moneyspinner, thanks to the potential to offer targeted adverts. And it seems people are willing to paying to watch ads, with Netflix reporting growth in users chosing the ad-tier option.
However, the latest development means out-of-household users who belatedly decide they want their own account must now dig deep if they want ad-free access going forward. The cheapest Netflix ad-free subscription in the UK is now £10.99 a month, the most expensive option is now £15.99 a month.
▶️ Overview: Netflix subscription options UK
Standard with ads
(originally launched as “Basic with ads” last year)
- £4.99 a month
- 1080p picture quality
- no downloads
- your date of birth will be used for advert personalisation purposes
- add one out-of-household user for a fee
- watch on two devices simultaneously
Ad
Standard
- £10.99 a month
- 1080p picture quality
- downloads allowed
- no ads
- add one extra out-of-household user for a fee
- watch on two devices simultaneously
Premium
- £15.99 a month
- 4K UHD picture quality
- High Dynamic Range (HDR) support
- downloads allowed
- no ads
- add two out-of-household users for a fee
- watch on up to four devices simultaneously
Corporate comment
Netflix commented this evening:
“In Q2, we phased out our Basic ads-free plan for new and rejoining members in Canada (existing members on the Basic ads-free plan are unaffected). We’re now doing the same in the US and the UK. We believe our entry prices in these countries – $6.99 in the US, £4.99 in the UK and $5.99 in Canada – provide great value to consumers given the breadth and quality of our catalog[-ue].”
Marc Thornham
Updated 22:14 with Corporate Comment