Netflix’s new Ad supported tier has arrived and instantly has caused a huge backlash on social media for a number of reasons. While some took issue with the platform’s lowest level streaming in 720p and not allowing downloads, others were more upset to find that many of Netflix’s top shows are not available on the new tier. Coming in at $6.99, $3 less than the ad-free Basic plan and $13 less than their top level premium, it could be argued that subscribers should be prepared for less of an experience when they are purchasing the lowest level on offer, but that is not how many see it.
Netflix’s launch of their new tier should have arrived with all of its kinks sorted out, but that doesn’t seem to have happened as smoothly as you would expect. For a number of reasons, whether it is rights issues or not being able to guarantee suitable adverts being shown, over 250 movie and TV shows are currently unavailable on the ad supported tier and while it was noted back in the summer that this would likely be the case some of the missing titles have raised a number of complaints from users on Twitter.
Among the missing titles are House of Cards, Peaky Blinders, Friday Night Lights, The Sinner, New Girl, Arrested Development, The Good Place, Skyfall, The Imitation Game, The Bad Guys and others. While it was originally reported that titles like The Crown, Cobra Kai and Breaking Bad were also not available, this has later proved to be incorrect, but that hasn’t stopped a wave of comments aimed at the streamer’s decision to run a limited service.
Does Netflix’s Ad-Supported Tier Give Audiences Value?
Netflix is one of the original streaming companies, and while many others have been offering ad-supported tiers for a reduced cost for a while now it seems that many Netflix users don’t agree with their decision to remove some titles from the new sub-budget version of the platform. However, there is nothing to say that some of these missing shows and movies will not make their way onto the platform with some future negotiations around the rights. Netflix’s chief operating officer Greg Peters said last month:
“A limited number of movies and TV shows won’t be available due to licensing restrictions, and we’re going to be working on reducing that over time.”
The other issue facing the new tier is that it is not supported by Apple devices at this time. This means that anyone watching on an iPad or iPhone cannot purchase the ad-supported tier and must pay for at least the Basic ad-free version. According to the company, Apple device support will be “coming soon.” How long that turns out to be could well impact how many people stick around with Netflix on their new tier and how many start looking elsewhere for their entertainment at a cut price.
Netflix Basic With Ads initially launched in Canada and Mexico on Tuesday, with the U.S., U.K. and a number of other international countries going live on Thursday. Spain will be the last of the current 12 countries to get the option, with it debuting on November 10.