One of the big bonuses of any new Sky contract is that it usually includes full access to Netflix. This means you pay just one bill for Sky's channels mixed with a bunch of boxsets, movies and series from the streaming giant. It's a nice added extra but things are about to change and it might annoy some users who love bingeing without the disruption of adverts.
Netflix has recently confirmed a massive shakeup of its popular streaming plans with its most basic "Standard" offering now featuring sponsored messages before content starts playing. Until now, those with legacy Sky deals have been treated to Netflix access without the annoyance of advertising but that's all about to change.
"We wanted to let you know that Netflix has discontinued their Netflix Basic plan. As a result, the Netflix plan included with your Sky subscription will automatically change to Netflix Standard with ads," Sky confirmed in a message posted online.
Although that sounds pretty irritating there are some added benefits of this option including being able to watch on more devices at once and getting HD quality included.
Sky also says that "ads will run during natural plot breaks for a seamless experience, with no ads running on kids’ profiles".
All customers will be affected and it's been confirmed that the changes will be effective automatically from September so there's not long left to enjoy ad-free access.
If you've recently signed up for Sky then you'll already be on this Netflix Standard with ads plan so nothing will change.
What You Need To Know About The New Plan
As a quick guide, there are now three options from Netflix.
- Standard with adverts usually costs £4.99 and offers viewing with advertising added to keep down the cost.
- Those wanting a more clutter-free experience can switch to Standard (£10.99) which gets rid of those sponsored messages. Just like Standard with ads, Standard also offers Full HD content along with viewing on dual devices.
- Finally, there's Premium (£17.99). This boosts the quality to 4K UHD, ditches adverts and offers the option to watch on 4 devices at once.
How Will This Impact Sky Subscribers?
TV fans have been left frustrated after Netflix tweaked its plans recently, shaking up how it's served to Sky TV subscribers. The streaming giant has transitioned to offering its service through a standalone app at £4.99 a month for the ad-supported standard plan or £10.99 for those who wish to dodge adverts. Previously, Sky customers enjoyed the ad-free basic Netflix package as part of their deal.
That changed back in December when it was announced that new Sky customers - or existing ones renewing, downgrading or upgrading their plans - would be put on the new ad-supported Netflix subscription. Sky customers can upgrade their Netflix plans to the ad-free version for £6, however.
Big changes rolled out in December stated that new Sky subscribers or those changing their current package would get the Netflix service with ads. For an additional £6, they had the option to switch to an ad-free Netflix experience.
Sky customers started receiving text messages advising them that come September, they'll be automatically moved to the ad-filled Netflix tier as part of their Sky Ultimate TV bundle unless they fork out more for the upgrade. The message relayed: "Netflix have discontinued their Netflix Basic Plan. From September, Netflix Standard with ads will replace Netflix Basic in your Sky Ultimate TV package."
Another vented their frustration: "Not happy with the recent changes to the Netflix subscription. Never had ads on it and now I have ads. Why am I being penalised?" Meanwhile, a third exclaimed: "Great first Amazon now they follow suit, think I will start unsubscribing now."
Sky's website reveals the revised Netflix plan improves not only on "better video quality" (jumping from 720p to the better clarity of 1080p), but also enables viewing on two separate devices simultaneously within one household, all with "just a few short ads per hour".
They assure subscribers: "The ads will run during natural plot breaks for a seamless experience, with no ads running on kids’ profiles." Sky adds: "The changes will be effective automatically from September, and you won't notice a thing - your Sky package remains untouched. Sit back, relax, there's absolutely nothing you need to do to continue enjoying Netflix with your Sky subscription."
Netflix’s Basic Plan Was A Hit, But Its Days Are Numbered
Netflix is getting rid of a popular subscription plan, we are sorry to say.
Ever since the streaming giant became a 'must-have' on all of our smart TVs, it's something that many of us would find difficult to live without.
If you're old enough, you'll remember heading to DVD, or even VHS, rental stores to pick up whatever they had on offer.
But now, the likes of Netflix and Prime Video have made it almost too easy to binge-watch TV shows, almost to the point where there's too much to chose from.
According to Statista, there were 16.7 million Netflix subscriptions in the first quarter of 2024, down from the same period of the previous year.
However, for those who are signed up to Netflix's cheapest ad-free subscription tier, which costs you £6.99 a month, your days are numbered.
This package included ad-free 720p video and a single video stream.
Especially with smaller and older TVs, the 720p definition wouldn't have been much of a notable difference to 1080p.
Though on its website, Netflix warned: "The Basic plan is no longer available for new or rejoining members. If you are currently on the Basic plan, you can remain on this plan until your plan is changed or your account is cancelled."
And 31 July will be the last time the £6.99/month option will be available. This means subscribers will either have to upgrade to a pricier plan to avoid ads or go for the cheaper option and sit through ad-filled shows.
Amid the announcement, Netflix has said its 'standard with adverts' plan for £4.99/month has proved to be a big hit.
"The thing we’re really excited about is the engagement,” explained Netflix's president of advertising Amy Reinhard, who spoke at the Variety Entertainment Summit at CES 2024 at Las Vegas’ Aria Resort and Casino earlier this year.
“We’re very fortunate to be able to take a long-term perspective on this.
“Scaling our business is absolutely our biggest priority right now, but we want to make sure we’re doing that in a meaningful way for the members."
What About Other TV Providers?
This change means many subscribers will soon face an unwelcome choice: endure adverts during their Netflix bing-watching session, pay more for an ad-free experience, or consider cancelling their subscriptions altogether.
Sky, which had already discontinued the Basic plan for new customers last December, will automatically switch its existing Basic plan subscribers to an ad-supported tier next month.
Meanwhile, EE TV has just pulled the plug on offering the Basic plan to new customers, though existing subscribers can hold onto it for a bit longer (see more details below).
Netflix’s Basic plan has long been a popular choice for UK subscribers seeking an affordable, ad-free streaming experience.
Priced at £6.99 per month (later increased to £7.99), it offered standard definition (720p) streaming on a single device at a time. This tier was particularly attractive to those on a budget who didn’t require the bells and whistles (such as 4K and up to 4 simultaneous streams) of higher-tier plans.
However, the writing was on the wall for the Basic plan when Netflix introduced its ‘Standard with Ads’ tier in November 2022.
Priced at £4.99/month, this new option offered Full HD (1080p) streaming on two devices simultaneously, albeit with advert breaks – a trade-off that appealed to many cost-conscious viewers.
The first major blow to the Basic plan came in July 2023, when Netflix discontinued it for new subscribers in the UK and the US.
Existing Basic subscribers were initially allowed to keep their plans, but by 2024, Netflix announced its intention to phase out the Basic tier entirely for existing subscribers in the UK and Canada.
Therefore, the current Netflix tiers available in the UK, are:
- The Standard with Adverts Plan (£4.99/month):
- The Standard Plan (£10.99/month):
- The Premium Plan (£17.99/month):
Things were a bit different on some of the UK’s pay-TV providers – like Sky and EE TV – where Netflix’s Basic plan lingered on. But now, that’s changing as well.
Sky has long included Netflix as part of its Ultimate TV package.
In December 2023, Sky made a significant change by discontinuing the Netflix Basic plan for new customers. Instead, Sky offered the ‘Standard with Ads’ tier as part of its packages (with customers able to upgrade to the no-ads tiers by paying extra).
Now, Sky is taking the next step by transitioning existing Basic plan subscribers to the ad-supported tier.
Beginning in September 2024, Sky customers who currently still have the ad-free Basic Netflix plan will be automatically moved to the ‘Standard with Ads’ plan.
Sky has communicated this change to its customers, emphasising the benefits of the new plan, such as improved video quality (Full HD 1080p instead of 720p) and the ability to watch on two devices simultaneously instead of one.
However, the trade-off is the introduction of “a few short ads per hour,” which has caused some disgruntled customers to vent their anger on social media.
The company has also stressed that all other aspects of customers’ Sky packages will remain unchanged, and the transition will happen automatically with no action required from subscribers.
It’s worth remembering that direct Netflix subscribers’ monthly bills were reduced when they were switched from Basic (£7.99/month) to Standard with Ads (£4.99/month).
However, Sky subscribers who are being moved to the ad-supported tier won’t experience a similar price reduction, as their overall Sky package price will remain the same.
For those who wish to maintain an ad-free Netflix experience through Sky, upgrading options are available – £6/month to upgrade to Netflix Standard, and £11/month to upgrade to Netflix Premium.
EE TV: The Basic Plan Is Still Available But For How Long?
EE TV, formerly known as BT TV, has taken longer to ditch the Netflix Basic plan.
Until last week, EE TV was one of the last major UK TV providers still offering the Netflix Basic tier to new customers as part of its packages (that can also include Sky’s NOW and TNT Sports).
However, EE TV has now discontinued the Basic plan for new subscribers.
New customers signing up for EE TV packages that include Netflix will now receive the ‘Standard with Ads’ tier instead of the Basic plan on the “Entertainment” or “Big Entertainment” tiers, and – as before – Netflix Standard on the Full Works tier.
As with Sky, customers can then pay extra to upgrade to higher Netflix tier.
For now, existing EE TV customers who have the Netflix Basic plan are in a somewhat better position than Sky subscribers.
EE TV has said that these customers will be able to keep their Basic plans for now, with two important caveats: they can only keep the Basic tier until they renew their contract, or until late 2026 if they’re out of contract.
This gives existing EE TV customers a longer runway to adjust to the changes. However, it’s clear that the days of the Basic plan are numbered, even for loyal EE TV subscribers.
An important technical consideration for EE TV customers is the compatibility of the ad-supported Netflix tier with their set-top boxes.
Until now, Netflix’s Standard with Ads tier was not technically supported even on EE TV’s 4K Pro Box – which was the main reason the Basic tier stayed around for so long. But thanks to a recent software update, the 4K Pro Box now supports Netflix’s Standard with Ads tier.
However, the ‘Standard with Ads’ tier is only supported on EE TV’s 4K Pro boxes (and their Mini versions), or the 4K Apple TV box.
To address this, EE TV has said that customers with older boxes who sign up for a plan that includes Netflix with ads, will receive a free upgrade to a compatible box.
Virgin Media also lets its subscribers add Netflix to their TV bundle, but the Basic option was removed in July 2023. In bundles that already include Netflix, the company offers the Standard Netflix tier (without adverts), and users are able to upgrade to Premium at an extra cost.
