Netflix will soon launch a cheaper, ad-supported tier. Luckily not all content will have ads, including new movie releases. The streaming giant hopes to keep its service appealing to high-profile filmmakers who may find the idea of commercials interrupting their stories unappealing, according to Bloomberg. New movies may get ads sometime after launch, but it isn’t yet clear how long those potential timelines are.
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Reports have also highlighted that Netflix is still finalizing plans for its ad-supported tier, and the company’s strategy could change between now and when the service eventually launches. Some additional information has come to light through new code found by developer Steve Moser, which seems to indicate that the new tier could also drop support for offline viewing. Netflix quickly responded to the rumour by pointing out it was still in the “early days of deciding how to launch a lower priced, ad-supported option.”
Importantly, content for kids will most likely also be free of ads. Try explaining to a child that has grown up on streaming content that they can’t watch the show that is currently being advertised – it is nigh impossible. Netflix also has some existing agreements that would not allow it to run ads during licensed content.
“We are still in the early days of deciding how to launch a lower priced, ad supported option and no decisions have been made,” Netflix spokesperson Kumiko Hidaka said.
In July, Microsoft announced it’s partnering with Netflix to provide the infrastructure that powers the streamer’s ad-supported tier. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos later said the ad-supported tier won’t have all the content currently offered by Netflix at launch. It likely won’t let you download any of the movies or TV shows for offline viewing either, as indicated by code in the Netflix app.
