Netflix's ad-supported tier has more than doubled its monthly viewership, now reaching over 250 million people globally, according to its 2026 upfront presentation. This represents a significant increase from the 94 million users reported last year.
Ad Revenue Growth
In 2025, Netflix reported $1.5 billion in advertising revenue. The company plans to expand ad placements across its platform, including its new vertical video feed on mobile apps and podcasts added late last year.
Price and Legal Challenges
Since launching its ad-supported Basic tier in 2022, Netflix has increased the price from $6.99 to $8.99 per month. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Netflix, alleging that the company misled users regarding data collection practices for ads.
International Expansion and Personalization
This year, Netflix is rolling out its ad-supported tier to 15 additional countries: Austria, Belgium, Colombia, Denmark, Indonesia, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, and Thailand. The company is also testing a personalization tool to tailor ads based on viewing behaviors.
Netflix continues to seek innovative ways to integrate ads into its platform, maintaining its growth trajectory as a major player in the streaming industry.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/streaming/929627/netflix-ads-plan-upfront-2026
