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Thora Buckner

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Aug 2, 2024, 9:02:53 AM8/2/24

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When I actually go to the Rotten Tomatoes user score page and read reviews, many of them are very negative. How is it still at 93% exactly? Many of the user reviews are as much about the high Rotten Tomatoes score as they are about the film itself:

Update: Responding to TechRadar's request for comment about when the Basic tier will be retired in the US and other international territories (excluding the UK and Canada), a Netflix representative said: "We don't have anything to share on other countries at this time."

Netflix provided its brief statement after some US-based users directly reached out to me to confirm they haven't received a similar email about the forthcoming changes to Netflix's subscription options. Until Netflix states otherwise, then, US users won't be automatically switched over from the Basic tier to the Standard with Ads plan on June 4.

The announcement comes nine months after Netflix removed the option for new subscribers to purchase its cheapest ad-free plan globally. And, even though the streaming giant confirmed (in January) that it would be retiring the Basic tier in mid-2024, the sudden revelation that it's getting rid of the plan has come as a shock to Netflix's increasingly aggrieved fanbase.

In a bid to temper the inevitable backlash, Netflix tried to put a positive spin on the fact that millions of users will be forced to subscribe to its Standard with Ads subscription, aka the streamer's new cheapest plan.

Even with these benefits and a cheaper price point, however, fans across the UK and Canada are not happy about losing access to the Basic tier. Indeed, users have taken to social media to vent their frustrations over the world's best streaming service's latest bright idea, with many simply stating that they plan to cancel their subscriptions, rather than be strong-armed into having to subscribe to Netflix's ad-supported tier.

With that cash injection bolstering its revenue streams, Netflix wants maximize exposure to ads on its platform to not only appease companies whose ads currently air on the service, but to also entice other corporations to similarly showcase their products to consumers.

And hey, if some fans don't want to sit through ads while they watch Netflix, the entertainment giant has an answer for that, too. Removing its Basic tier means that customers will have to sign up to one of its more expensive Standard or Premium tiers. Again, anyone who purchases one of these subscriptions is helping to line Netflix's pockets. In short: it's a monetary win-win for Netflix to permanently get rid of its Basic tier.

Pleased though its executives and shareholders will be by this additional income, however, Netflix is walking a dangerous path where it could really start to lose trust in consumers. Users have already had to deal with Netflix's password sharing crackdown and yearly price hikes across the US, UK, France, and other nations, so there's only so much more that some customers will take before they decide to walk away from Netflix for good.

Time will tell if Netflix's latest international rollout proves to be the final straw for many non-US users but, if the streaming titan hopes to hold off its rivals' attempts to dethrone it as the world's most popular platform, it can't keep treating its fanbase with such disdain.

As TechRadar's senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You'll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.

An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as this Moon Knight TV spot.

Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.