Netflix may kill off its Basic subscription – forcing you to choose between ads or pay £10.99/MONTH 

Netflix has discontinued its cheapest ad-free streaming offer for Canadian citizens, in a move that has fueled speculation about what’s next for the rest of the world.

Canadians will no longer have the option to pay $9.99 CAD/month to watch TV with ad blocking and will now be forced to spend a minimum of $16.49 CAD/month to do so.

While this isn’t new, its quiet disappearance has sparked rumors that the ‘Basic’ option in the UK – which costs £6.99 ($9.99 US) – could also soon be taken off the market .

Like Canada, this would force the British to pay a minimum of £10.99 ($15.49 US) for ad-free viewing or simply accept ads at a much lower price of £4.99 ($6. 99 U.S.).

These rumors come just a month after the tech giant’s controversial crackdown on account sharing, barring millions of people from lending credentials to people outside their households.

Amid these changes, Twitter has been flooded with complaints, with some users suggesting they pull out of Netflix altogether.

“Don’t give up on that ‘basic’ Netflix subscription,” one user wrote.

“Netflix is ​​testing to get rid of it. Hold on to your “basic” Netflix subscription if you wish. Because it might pass soon.’

Another added: “I’m sure they won’t remove that in India because if they do… They’re going to face a huge loss!”

Meanwhile, one user seemed to joke, “Piracy has never been so sweet,” while another said: “Don’t worry, we’ve already canceled our Netflix subscription.”

Others also suggested that interest in the service must plummet, writing: “Netflix is ​​losing subscribers left and right.”

In addition to the £10.99 ($15.49 US) ad-free ‘Standard’ option, users have the chance to pay £15.99 ($19.99 US) for the ‘Premium’ service on four devices simultaneously in ‘Ultra HD’.

This option also allows two extra members from outside a household to be added to the account, while the ‘Standard’ option only allows for one extra member.

The extra member feature came as part of Netflix’s hit against account sharing, which blocks anyone using a VPN or living in another country from a member lock.

The ban applies to 103 countries, including the UK, US, France, Germany, Australia, Singapore, Mexico and Brazil, and was first tested last year in Peru, Chile and Costa Rica.

The cancellation in Canada has sparked rumors that this could soon be unavailable in the UK

Rumors come just over a month after Netflix cracked down on account sharing

It was a drastic turnaround for the company, which just six years ago tweeted that “love is sharing a password.”

But the plan has not met with overwhelming success as Netflix has lost more than a million Hispanic subscribers in the first three months of 2023, according to Kantar.

Analysis of Google search data also revealed that online searches for ‘Cancel Netflix account’ were up 2,939 percent in the UK by the end of last month.

A Netflix spokesperson declined to comment on what the next service might be, but told MailOnline: “Existing members on Basic are not affected by this change. Basic is not available to new and returning members in Canada.”

WHAT ARE THE VIDEO STREAMING OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO UK CUSTOMERS?

Netflix

Price: from £4.99 per month (with ads) or £6.99 per month (without ads)

Hit Shows:

Amazon Prime

Price: £8.99 per month OR £95 per year

Hit Shows:

• Jack Ryan by Tom Clancy
• The boys

Apple TV+

Price: £6.99 per month

Hit shows:

• Ted Lasso
• For all humanity

Disney+

Price: £7.99 per month OR £79.90 per year

Hit shows:

• The Mandalorian
• The Simpsons

NOW television

Price: from £6.99 per month (6 months) or £9.99 (flexible)

Hit Shows:

• Game of Thrones
• Chernobyl

hurrah

Price: £4.99 per month

Hit Shows:

• Keeping up with the Kardashians
• Made in Chelsea

BritBox

Price: £5.99 per month OR £59.99 per year

Hit Shows:

• Spitting image
• Midsomer murders

Prices correct as of May 2023