Streaming, which once set out to replace classic TV, is slowly but steadily turning into the very thing it set out to replace.
Those who still do not believe it may have a change of heart when they hear this: Netflix is apparently considering launching a free plan in some countries.
The plan will be ad-powered, which means that users will see advertisement whenever they tune in.
Depending on the country, this plan is going to make the ad-powered plan even cheaper. It is unclear at this point whether it will replace the Standard with Ads plan that Netflix currently offers, or if subscribers will have to sit through more ads to make up for the difference, or get another disadvantage.
Netflix’s motivation behind this is to get more customers in countries with potential for that. This is also the reason why it won’t offer the free plan in the United States.
The company hopes that this new plan will fuel further growth, which will make shareholders happy. It also needs to push ads to reach critical mass.
Considering that Netflix is a first-mover, it is possible that the likes of Disney, Warner, or Paramount will also switch to offering a free ad-driven plan. They followed Netflix’s introduction of an ad-drive plan and its fight against password sharing already.
Classic TV is abysmal because of ads
I have to admit that I do not watch a lot of TV or streams. While I tune in to watch movies or shows, this usually happens using streaming services.
I suffer through the rare occasions when I watch classic TV. Maybe it is a game that is only shown there, or something else that is exclusive. The sheer number of ads makes my stomach turn.
Ads at streaming services, including YouTube, may add another dimension to the experience. Most add tracking, which means that you not only lose minutes of your life each hour media is consumed, you are also tracked while suffering.
There is a reason why I prefer buying movies or TV shows on disc when I like them. These do not have ads and I can watch them whenever I want, even when I sit in a cabin in a remote part of Canada.
Closing Words
It is almost certain that an upcoming free Netflix plan will attract lots of users. The exact nature of it is unknown at this point, and it remains to be seen how Netflix plans to release it in the markets it is aiming for.
It could be an interesting option for users who are interested in just a few shows. They could join up and watch these without paying anything. Well, other than with their data and time, that is.
What about you? Would you sign-up for a free Netflix plan, if it would become available in your country?
“. . . which means that you not only lose minutes of your life each hour media is consumed.”
Such a thought makes me wonder how many people actual watch what they stream–sort of a passive viewership to escape ennui. Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick.
Brodsky has some good ideas on the nature of boredom–the Mundane Existence.
https://www.themarginalian.org/
“I can watch them whenever I want, even when I sit in a cabin in a remote part of Canada.”
Sit in a cabin and watch advertising via the subtle force of “product placement.” Guess all those trees and mosquitoes have little value. It’s hard for me to imagine H. Thoreau watching a DVD while living at Walden’s Pond. Sort of defeats the purpose of why he went to the woods.
Another day.
Surely, there are times when you cannot get outside, or do not want to, or just feel like watching a movie or show.
Since I’m in the USA, I won’t be getting free Netflix. I wouldn’t sign up for anything that required giving credit card/payment info. I used to have Amazon Prime, but they made it very difficult to cancel – which is what I did every year to avoid automatic billing the next year. The last time I wanted to cancel, I could not do it without chat with an agent. Now I don’t think one can even access chat on Amazon for customer service. So with that last chat cancellation, I gave up Prime because I never want auto-billing for anything. Meanwhile, I want something on the “TV” – though it is not really that anymore – and I got Walmart+ which means Paramount+ that comes with it. I like it. The ads are plentiful, but there were always ads on real TV and the introduction of cable to avoid ads was a short-term joke. We are quite immune to ads in this household and if anything develop an aversion to whatever is being shoved at us.
I’m the same. I used to subscribe to Dutch TV, but the sheer amount of ads together with the method used to display them was driving me bonkers so I terminated my subscription and just buy movies on DVD now. Or at least I used to, but Amazon UK has increased their delivery charges to £10,57 plus 0,99 pence now for every kilo which is nothing short of a ripoff. I’ve tried buying second hand DVDs which are dirt cheap, but delivery costs between £2,50 and £3,49 per disc depending on which Amazon marketplace you buy them from but take four or five weeks to deliver. The main reason for buying DVDs from the Amazon UK branch is because I need subtitles having gone deaf in one ear now. The other Amazon locations usually only have subtitles in the local language i.e. Dutch, German, Italian etc., and that’s no good to me.
Ah, a cabin in the woods. In 2016 I took a trip with a friend. It ended with a 3 day stay at a place about renting cabins that was about 5 km north of the entrance to the Grand Canyon’s north rim. I had to cancel the third day because there was no cell service and she was flipping out. Nothing like modern connectivity. 😉