Hold on to your "basic" Netflix subscription if you want it. Because it might soon go away.
Over the weekend, Netflix subscribers in Canada as well as local Canadian media noticed that the option to sign up for the streaming service's lowest-priced ad-free tier was no longer available to them. Instead, new or returning subscribers were only offered access to Netflix's "standard with ads" plan, which in the U.S. costs $6.99 a month, or its more expensive standard subscription, which costs $15.49 each month.
Netflix has updated its Canadian website to reflect the new plan options for users. The change removes the "basic" plan, which, for U.S. subscribers, comes in at the sweet spot of $9.99 per month. The basic plan allows users to have an ad free experience for an extra $3 each month, compared to the standard with ads plan. It also saves users $5.50 per month if they didn't need to access Netflix on two-devices at the same time, which is what the more expensive standard plan offers.
Subscribers who still have that basic plan should hold on to it. According to Netflix's website, it won't force current basic plan subscribers in Canada off of it as of now. Those users can keep the plan, provided they don't cancel it. Once a user does cancel that basic plan though, it will no longer be an option for them if they choose to resubscribe.
"The Basic plan is no longer available for new or rejoining members," reads the Netflix Canada help page. "If you are currently on the Basic plan, you can remain on this plan until you change plans or cancel your account."
At this time, it appears that the removal of the basic plan is only for Netflix's users in Canada. However, as Gizmodo points out, country-specific changes that Netflix makes often signals that it's in a testing phase for a potential wider roll out. The company tested out its password-sharing crackdown in regions like South America prior to rolling out the policy worldwide.
And, as unpopular some of these decisions from Netflix have been, they appear to be working for the company. Earlier this month, a report found that Netflix had its biggest boost in subscriptions on the days where it first stopped users from sharing their Netflix account passwords.
So, if you don't want to pay more than $10 per month for Netflix, don't want to watch any ads, and only need your account to work on one screen at a time…you better hold on to that basic subscription. Even if you're outside of Canada, it might not be around for much longer
