The streaming platform Netflix has announced changes to its subscription plans through a statement. The company has decided to eliminate its Basic plan in several nations, including Spain, as part of its strategy to boost advertising membership and make Netflix an attractive option for advertisers. Although specific details on how this will affect users in Spain have not yet been revealed, new subscribers and those who want to change plans are expected to be the most affected.
This change means that the Basic plan, which previously allowed ad-free streaming for €7.99 per month, will be phased out in countries such as Germany, Japan, Australia, Mexico and Brazil, as well as Spain. As a result, new users looking for a cheap option will only have access to the ad-supported plan, which represents a virtual five euro increase compared to the previous Basic plan.
Netflix reports that the elimination of the Basic plan will be gradual and will be aimed at new users and those who re-register. Existing users who already have the Basic plan will be able to maintain their subscription for a time, although this option will no longer be available to new subscribers.
The decision to eliminate the Basic plan is based on the success of the ad-supported plan, which already represents 30% of new registrations in the 12 countries where it has been implemented. Netflix is looking to increase its revenue and encourage the use of more expensive plans as the streaming market faces challenges.
The company is also expanding the functionality of its ad-supported plan, including the ability to download content for offline viewing on the Standard ad-supported plan, which was not previously available. Although Netflix’s plans have been adjusted in several countries, the company is expected to offer more specific details on how this will affect users in Spain in an upcoming announcement.
With the elimination of the Basic plan, there are now only three plans available to subscribe to the platform:
The streaming market is constantly evolving, and other services like Prime Video and Disney are already following the trend of incorporating advertising into their platforms. The changes to Netflix subscription plans reflect competition and the search for new sources of income in the streaming industry.