Netflix Ad-Supported Tier Reaches 250 Million Viewers as Revenue Grows

During its 2026 upfront presentation, Netflix announced that its ad-supported subscription tier has surpassed 250 million monthly viewers globally, more than doubling the 94 million users reported the previous year. The $8.99-per-month plan has become a significant revenue driver, with the company earning $1.5 billion from advertising in 2025. To further capitalize on this growth, Netflix plans to introduce ads into its newly launched vertical video feed and podcast lineup starting next year. The service is also expanding its ad-supported tier to 15 new countries, including Austria, Belgium, Colombia, and Thailand, while testing personalized advertising tools based on user viewing behaviors. Despite this commercial success, Netflix faces legal challenges, notably a lawsuit from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton alleging misleading data collection practices related to advertising. Since its launch in 2022, the ad-supported Basic tier has seen both membership growth and price increases, currently costing $2 more than its initial $6.99 launch price. This development underscores Netflix's strategic shift towards integrating advertising deeply into its platform ecosystem to sustain growth amidst competitive streaming markets.