Netflix marks the second anniversary of its ads business, announcing robust growth with 70 million active users and over half of new subscribers choosing the ad-supported plan, nearly doubling since May, as more subscribers opt for affordable streaming options.
The plan, which costs $6.99 per month in the U.S., now represents over half of new sign-ups in ad-supported regions. In contrast, Netflix’s lowest-priced ad-free plan costs $15.49 per month.
Analysts have suggested Netflix might consider raising prices for its ad-free options to encourage users toward the ad-supported tier, which typically generates more revenue per user. While Netflix has not disclosed the financial performance of this tier, it does not expect ads to drive significant growth until 2026.
Netflix also announced a deal with FanDuel, making it the exclusive pre-game betting partner for the platform’s NFL Christmas Day games. FanDuel’s segment will feature Netflix talent offering predictions based on FanDuel’s odds, and all ad inventory for these games has already sold out, with partners like Verizon joining the lineup.
In Canada, Netflix’s own ad technology is now fully operational, with plans to extend globally by 2025. Netflix shares rose 1.1% in early trading following the news.
