In all likelihood, Netflix is about to draw a definitive line under its Essential subscription. In fact, the last people who will still be able to enjoy it will have to switch to one of the three formulas now offered by the streaming platform.
Late last year, streaming giant Netflix announced the removal of its Essential offering. Among us, this decision frankly was not unanimous among new subscribers to the platform. This has in fact forced them to switch to the Standard offer, billed at 13.49 euros per month, or to turn to the cheapest formula, for the sum of 5.99 euros, but to have to accept, in return, the advertising breaks while viewing their content.
While this change only affected new subscribers (those who had already subscribed to the Essential offer could still keep their subscription), Netflix is reportedly reversing its decision by urging everyone to opt for another subscription plan.
Netflix: the Essential offer soon to be discontinued?
Netflix never misses an opportunity to line its pockets. After announcing last year the end of account sharing, a decision that also proved advantageous for the streaming platform, the giant is now preparing to make its Essentiel offer, often considered the most attractive in the catalog (10.99 euros), disappear forever.
In a post published by Tom Power on X.com (formerly Twitter), we learn that Netflix has started sending an email to its Essential subscribers (at least, the ones who remain). In it, the company promises to save money if they opt for the subscription… with advertising.
If, at first glance, inviting its users to switch to a cheaper offer may seem disadvantageous for Netflix and beneficial for users, there is no doubt that the platform benefits from it. It should be remembered that by opting for this formula, users must still agree to watch the equivalent of five minutes of ads per hour.
By removing its Essential subscription, Netflix is locking the consumer into a sphere that is profitable for them (and a little less so for their customers). On social media, the first complaints about this decision do not seem to arouse enthusiasm from the people who have subscribed to the Essential offer from the very beginning.
In any case, note that this change will be effective very soon, i.e. more precisely from June 2024.