Netflix Drops Basic Plan in Canada; Which Subscribers Are Affected?

Netflix discreetly eliminated the CAD 9.99 per month Basic plan for new customers in Canada. The streaming company's products are streamlined, but the ad-supported plan now differs significantly from the standard plan.

A representative for Netflix, Kumiko Hidaka, confirmed that existing subscribers would no longer be able to purchase the CAD 9.99 Basic plan. Existing customers, however, may relax, knowing that nothing will change with their current subscriptions, The Verge reported.

Netflix's new ad-supported plan, just released, has a starting monthly price of CAD 5.99. The bulk of Netflix's library is accessible with this package, enabling 1080p HD streaming. To get rid of commercials and permit downloads, subscribers must switch to the Standard plan, which costs CAD 16.99 per month, according to Tech Crunch.

Several Netflix users posted their responses to the service's price increase on social media. Tweeted one user: "How you gonna jump from $5.99 w ads to over $16 for the next plan + tax too.......that's crazy."

Although user Darth Grumpy acknowledged giving his password and that he would soon terminate his Netflix membership, he claimed that nothing had changed as of yet. "It doesn't take a lot of work. They need to be appreciative that I even pay them."

The Basic plan previously included ad-free streaming, but it was only available for one concurrent stream at 720p quality. Customers who have a Basic plan subscription may use it until they want to switch plans or terminate their account.

Canada's Netflix Plans & Pricing website no longer lists Netflix Basic or Netflix Basic with advertisements; the latter is called "Standard with ads."

Will It Be Implemented in Other Countries?

Although it's still unclear if Netflix's Basic plan would eventually disappear in other nations, including the US, recent adjustments to the US registration procedure suggest a change. For new customers, the Basic plan is now concealed behind a "See All Plans" button, raising the possibility of a future shift in the price levels.

After seeing a drop in subscribers for the first time in a decade, Netflix launched its "Standard with ads" tier last autumn. The $9.99/month Basic plan was in an odd position when the $6.99/month ad-supported plan debuted.

The Basic level only permitted one 720p stream, as opposed to the two 1080p streams available in the more affordable ad-supported program, even though it enabled offline downloads and an ad-free viewing experience.

The company's attempts to combat password sharing are coordinated with this modification to Netflix's Basic plan. A new rule permitting US customers to share their accounts with other users for $7.99 for each was revealed by Netflix last month.

Netflix Password-Sharing Crackdown Boost Stock

Netflix's stock rose, and memberships peaked after its password-sharing crackdown. Netflix's decision to ban household password sharing in May has been successful.

After the announcement, Netflix had its four most significant single-day subscriber figures in the US since at least 2019. From May 24 to 28, the average daily sign-ups hit 73,000, jumping 102% from the previous 60 days, per a Forbes report.

Antenna analytics revealed a new Netflix record with approximately 100,000 new customers per day on May 26 and 27, exceeding the early phases of the COVID-19 epidemic, when daily sign-ups were below 90,000.

Netflix's stock rose 15% due to this considerable subscriber surge.