Netflix plans to expand its lower-cost ad-supported subscription package to more countries, including Thailand, in 2027, after reporting strong growth in the service and rising viewer engagement worldwide.
The streaming giant said demand for its advertising-supported tier has continued to increase since its introduction, with the company seeing a sharp rise in subscribers choosing lower-cost plans in exchange for watching advertisements.
Netflix first launched its ad-supported package, known as Basic with Ads, in selected markets in 2022 as part of efforts to attract more price-sensitive consumers while also opening a new source of revenue through advertising.
The company is now preparing to extend the Basic with Ads to 15 additional countries, including Thailand. The move follows signs of strong user growth and higher viewing activity among subscribers using the service.
Netflix said users on its advertising-supported plans have increased significantly, reaching around 250 million users globally, with viewing activity continuing to grow and exceeding 80% in some areas.
In the United States, Netflix currently offers the Basic with Ads package at US$8.99 per month, while its standard ad-free package costs US$19.99 per month.
The company said the ad-supported tier represented about 60% of all new subscriptions during the first quarter of 2026, highlighting a shift in consumer preference towards more affordable streaming options.
Netflix added that subscribers to the Basic with Ads package rose by more than 4,000, representing growth of roughly 70% compared with the previous year.
The company also expects advertising revenue to continue increasing, with estimates suggesting the business could generate around US$3 billion in ad revenue by the end of 2026.
The expansion reflects a broader trend among streaming platforms, many of which are increasingly turning to advertising-supported models to balance subscriber growth with profitability.
Source: Netflix
