Netflix Subscribers Protest AI Ads Threatening Cancelation

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2026 will see Netflix introducing AI and commercials during paused screens, an update that has left some subscribers less than thrilled.

On May 14th, Netflix disclosed that its ad-supported plan priced at $7.99 has amassed 94 million users. Interestingly, it was announced that a portion of these ads shown in the future will be created by artificial intelligence.

According to Media Play News, Amy Reinhard, the head of Advertising, has shared some insights. She mentioned that users who opt for the basic subscription spend approximately 41 hours per month on the platform. Furthermore, it was revealed that AI-generated advertisements will soon be shown during programs and when playback is paused.

When you’re immersed in shows like Stranger Things, Squid Game, Devil May Cry, or any content added to the platform, you may encounter advertisements that aren’t created by people, and the feedback on this has generally been negative.

Netflix subscribers threaten cancelation over AI ads

Users who subscribe to the $7.99 tier found the recent news particularly challenging, and a significant number have expressed their readiness to terminate their subscriptions should they encounter advertisements generated by artificial intelligence.

If it was available for free on a streaming platform with ads, that would be acceptable. However, as soon as I’m required to watch commercials, I will be ending my subscription.

“If this happens to me one time, I will cancel and never come back after 20 years,” warned another.

Someone else said they wouldn’t watch Netflix because no one enjoys ads interrupting shows, especially when they appear in the middle. It seems that this practice is an effective way to make people cancel their subscriptions.

I’m not interested. The appeal of streaming services initially lay in their lack of annoying advertisements compared to traditional TV. However, I see no incentive for me to utilize a streaming service that bombards me with irrelevant content and does not influence my spending habits in any way.

— Justin Bissell (@justin_bis92964) May 15, 2025

Back in 2019, Hulu paved the way by adding ads to paused videos, and it looks like YouTube followed suit in 2024, as they too have joined the trend of screen ads during video pauses. As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but notice this evolution across streaming platforms.

It’s worth mentioning that ads from Netflix don’t pop up too often compared to other platforms. In fact, you might use the service for a while without seeing an advertisement at all.

As a gamer, I understand some of you might prefer an ad-free gaming experience and have reservations about AI advertisements. If that’s the case, the sole alternative is to opt for a premium version or higher tier.

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2025-05-16 22:19