Netflix Users Face ‘Upgrade’ Alert Amid Changes to Membership Tiers

Netflix has quite recently changed the membership plans several times within a year and it looks like Netflix is not done just yet. Recent reports indicate that Netflix users in Canada and the UK have received on-screen alerts urging them to upgrade from the Basic tier to one of the higher-tier plans: There are three packages that are available; Premium package, Standard package, and the Standard package with advertisements.

The message is said to read, ‘Your last day to watch Netflix is July 31,’ and ‘choose a new plan to keep watching,’ This alert has caused concern among the subscribers, especially those in other countries who are also on the Basic plan waiting for the same change.

The Independent stated, during a formal conference call with its shareholders this year, Netflix shared it was going to discontinue the Basic plan starting from Canada and the UK in the second quarter of the year 2024. This comes after Netflix in 2023 announced they were discontinuing the ad-free Basic subscription for new users while those already in the plan could continue to enjoy it. But now the impression is that all users of the Basic tier will have to switch to a new plan.

Specifically, the Standard With Ads plan beginning to offer in January 2022 from Australia costs $7. 99, allows streaming on two devices, but does not allow to download the shows for watching them later and does not allow adding other members. This plan also limits the clients to watch a “limited number” of shows and movies because of licensing and contains fewer ads than people would anticipate.

Customers can step up to the STANDARD plan for $18 Monthly. Per month, there is the Lite plan which costs AU$ 99, and the Premium plan that costs AU$ 25. 59 and 99 a month, and both of these plans come with even more tools and less limitations than the Standard With Ads plan.

But still, Netflix is not alone as recently, more streaming services also decided to promote the ad-supported model. In the earlier part this year, other Prime Video account also moved to the ad-supported plan.