The streaming giant plans to launch a cheaper subscription starting in 2027. However, there’s a catch: get ready to watch ads before (and during!) your favourite episodes or movies.
The Netherlands will be one of 15 countries receiving Netflix’s new tier, alongside Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.
The business plan is simple: cheaper monthly payments in return for ad breaks. It’s a strategy as old as linear television, and before you know it, in Netflix’s eyes, you will become the product.
Though Netflix has not put a number to the “cheaper” subscription tier, it has been offered in many countries since 2022, including the United States, France, and Germany.
Let’s talk numbers
In Germany, the ad tier currently runs at €4.99 per month. This is exactly half of what the cheapest Netflix subscription costs in the Netherlands, at €9.99 per month.
READ MORE | Video streaming services in the Netherlands: the complete guide
However, the cheapest option used to be cheaper. According to Stichting Bescherming Consumentenbelang, Netflix has upped the prices of its subscriptions by 75% since 2017.
The stichting that aims to protect the rights of consumers has filed a mass claim against Netflix for secretly charging subscribers more than they agreed upon. Although Netflix can raise prices whenever it wants, it’s legally required to explain any changes clearly.
Netflix allegedly did not comply.
Other streaming services already do this
It might sound counterintuitive, but charging less earns more. According to AD, the streaming service expects its income from advertising to double this year.
However, the idea of an ad-based subscription is not new. If you’ve been using HBO Max, Disney+, or Videoland, this model will look familiar.
So, Netflix was essentially the last ad-free haven that’s now catching up to its money-hungry peers.
Would you switch to a cheaper Netflix plan if it meant sitting through ads? Let us know in the comments.
