Netflix accused of ‘pure greed’ after giving users ultimatum before huge change this month

Streaming bosses have already put a stop to us sharing passwords and now, they’re coming for those who are subscribed to the most budget-friendly plan.

You’d have thought Netflix might have put a pin in introducing big changes after the big boost in subscribers they enjoyed following the crackdown on sharing accounts and the profits they reaped from rejigging their membership prices.

But it seems the on-demand service isn’t done with us just yet – as another revamp is en route.

If you are currently signed up to Netflix’s cheapest ad-free subscription tier, which costs you £6.99 ($9.99) a month, count your days as the streaming platform is getting rid of it.

This ‘basic’ plan was axed for new and rejoining subscribers in July last year, meaning newbies were forced to instead sign up for Netflix’s ‘standard’ plan at £10.99 a month to catch up on their shows without ads interrupting them.

Netflix allowed those who were already subscribed to the ‘basic’ plan to continue on it, but 12 months later, those who are still on this low-cost tier are losing that privilege.

On 31 July, we will be saying goodbye to the £6.99 a month option for good – meaning that people will either have to upgrade to a pricier plan to dodge ads or grit their teeth and curse themselves to a life of ad-filled shows.

Netflix users have been receiving emails and notifications from the app explaining that the change is imminent.

One person shared a screenshot of one of the messages on Reddit which stated: “Your last day to watch Netflix is July 13th. Choose a new plan to keep watching.”

The social media user complained that Netflix would not allow them to ‘watch the last few weeks of my subscription without resubscribing’.

“There’s no option to continue watching without selecting a new plan,” they added.

Prepare for your streaming to get pricier (Getty stock photo)

Others took to X to share their thoughts, with people slamming the streaming giant for its latest ‘money-motivated’ move.

One fumed: “Went to cancel Netflix because raising the prices unless I want to watch ads is the last straw, and this undismissable popup came up when I logged in. Lmaooooo really Netflix? GTFOutta here!!!!”

Another wrote: “Netflix can f**k off with their adverts. Everybody needs to unsubscribe until they drop them. Don’t upgrade for twice the price for ad-free. It’s pure greed. F**k ’em.”

And a third echoed the same sentiment, adding: “Pure greed. Time to cancel them all. I will go back to my DVDs.”

Netflix first introduced ads back in 2022, but promised that ‘nothing about the way you watch Netflix is going to change’ at the time.

Subscribers who were on the cheapest ad-free subscription tier will now have to either deal with adverts between and during films and episodes to stick on the cheapest tier ‘Basic with ads’, or purchase a more expensive plan.

Or you could go for the ‘standard’ option for £10.99 a month ($15.49) or ‘premium’ for £17.99 a month ($22.99).