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Adverts are coming to your favourite Netflix boxsets and movies.
Some of the most popular paid-for TV providers, including EE TV, Sky Stream, and Sky Glass, include a subscription to Netflix with all of telly bundles. For years, the default package was Netflix Basic, usually £7.99 per month, that offered ad-free viewing of everything in the catalogue in 720p quality.
Despite Netflix culling the ad-free Basic for new and re-joining subscribers in July 2023, those with a Sky and EE TV set-top box were still able to benefit. But that's starting to change.
Although new customers to Sky Stream and Sky Glass lost Netflix Basic at the end of last year, existing subscribers will need to choose between adverts or a price rise next month
SKY TV PRESS OFFICE
New Sky Glass and Sky Stream userslost Netflix Basic at the end of last year. And now viewers with existing subscribers have been presented with a unwelcome choice — endure interuptions during their favourite Netflix shows or pay more each month for an ad-free experience.
Viewers with a Sky TV subscription will be moved from Netflix Basic in the coming weeks.
In a message to existing subscribers, Sky confirmed: "We wanted to let you know that Netflix has discontinued their Netflix Basic plan. As a result, the Netflix plan included with your Sky subscription will automatically change to Netflix Standard with ads.
"The changes will be effective automatically from September, with all other aspects of your Sky package remaining the same. There’s nothing you need to do to keep watching Netflix through your Sky subscription."
Meanwhile, EE TV this month ditched its Netflix Basic plan for all new customers. Existing viewers will be able to hold onto the legacy subscription for a little longer. It's unclear when the more affordable ad-free subscription will be removed completely.
During the checkout process, Sky Stream and Sky Glass subscribers are asked whether they want to upgrade to an ad-free version of Netflix
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This is true whether you choose the EE TV Box Pro or EE TV Box Mini — two custom-designed set-top boxes from EE, or decide to watch all live and on-demand content included with your subscription on an Apple TV 4K. EE TV Box Pro and EE TV Box Mini both launched late last year as part of a dramatic overhaul to the EE TV service, which included a rebrand for all BT TV viewers via an overnight software update.
Regardless of whether you're with Sky TV or EE TV, you'll need to spend an extra £6 per month at a minimum to ditch the adverts in Netflix. Virgin Media also includes Netflix with its TV bundles, but it stopped offering Netflix Basic when that subscription tier was dropped for new customers back in July.
Some Sky TV subscribers have taken to social media to point out that Netflix Standard With Ads, which costs £4.99 per month for all customers, is £3 cheaper than the Netflix Basic plan that it replaces.
Hi Rachel 🙂 Due to Netflix restructuring their packages to include an option with adverts, we then had to adjust our Netflix packages. More information about this can be found on our help guide here https://t.co/89jaSr8Aoa ^Heather
— Sky Help Team (@SkyHelpTeam) May 24, 2024
But despite this annual saving of £36, Sky will not reduce bills for existing customers following the shake-up next month.
However, it’s not all bad news.
Adverts? Yes, before and during shows and films
Full Netflix Library? No, some titles missing
Picture Quality? 1080p HD
Games? Yes, all mobile games included
Watch On Multiple Devices? Yes, up to two
Downloads? Yes, on up to two devices
Adverts? No, never
Full Netflix Library? Yes
Picture Quality? 1080p HD
Games? Yes, all mobile games included
Watch On Multiple Devices? Yes, up to two
Downloads? Yes, on up to two devices
Additional Members? Yes, up to one
Adverts? No, never
Full Netflix Library? Yes
Picture Quality? 4K Ultra HD with Spatial Audio
Games? Yes, all mobile games included
Watch On Multiple Devices? Yes, up to four
Downloads? Yes, on up to six devices
Additional Members? Yes, up to two
While the shake-up does mean you’ll see more adverts during your favourite boxset binge or blockbuster movie, the Standard with Ads plan does offer improved picture quality over the Basic plan.
While Netflix Basic subscribers, including those watching as part of their Sky TV package, were limited to 720p, Netflix Standard with Ads offers full High Definition (HD) streaming at 1080p. You can also watch and download shows and films on up to two devices at a time.
Netflix Basic limits streaming to a single screen, while Standard with Ads doubles that to two.
With its latest free software update, EE has installed the YouTube app on every EE TV Box Pro and EE TV Box Mini in the UK
EE PRESS OFFICE
The shake-up comes a few weeks after EE pushed out a free update to its set-top boxes adding YouTube for the first time, unlocking millions of music videos, live streams, and original content from creators. You'll also be able to rent movies and buy TV show episodes from within the YouTube app — potentially opening up lower prices for your favourite video on-demand content.
Ad-free viewing via YouTube Premium and YouTube Primetime Channels will also be accessible within the YouTube app, EE has stated.
For those who don't know, YouTube Primetime Channels work identically to Channels on Prime Video and Apple TV — allowing you to access content from a third-party streaming service without the need to download a new app or set up an entirely new account.
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Instead, the payment details saved with YouTube, Amazon, or Apple will be charged for the monthly subscription and you'll access the library of content from within the existing app.
YouTube Primetime Channels arrived in the UK after a successful launch in the United States and Germany. For now, EE TV viewers will be able to subscribe and stream from Lionsgate+, Hayu, History Play, DAZN, and Crime & Investigation Play from within the YouTube app.
YouTube joins the ranks of other popular streamers built into the new EE TV boxes, including Netflix, Prime Video, NOW, and Apple TV+. EE has spoken about its desire to add support for Disney+ soon.
Sky Glass, Sky Stream, and the older Sky Q box all support YouTube from the Apps carousel.
