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What you are describing is called "ad-subsidized", you pay less than the full cost and get ads to cover the difference.


Netflix has continually raised prices, and earns more from the ad plans than those paying more for zero ads.

Becoming a paying customer is just a negotiation with advertisers to raise their rates until Netflix concedes to what they want. Since they know you have more discretionary income Netflix can also charge more for ads. They're also incentivized into turning those customers into ad supported by increasing the no ad plan cost.


Which affects the decision making of the company. There are things they won’t platform for fear of offending an advertiser. The effect is pervasive, regardless of whether you are paying the full rate or not.


Frankly people should stop paying for anything with ads. But they don't. They love them. If netflix had a free tier with tons of ads, it would be by far the most popular.


Yes, it’s an anticompetitive tactic, but we refuse to update our antitrust laws for the internet era.




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