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Netflix’s Ad-Supported Tier Not Yet Available on Apple TV Devices

Netflix’s Ad-Supported Tier Not Yet Available on Apple TV Devices

Known for breaking major streaming stories, he’s covered everything from Netflix policy shifts to Peacock’s ad-tier changes. A sci-fi fan and Toshiba Fire TV user, he brings sharp analysis and a love for the genre to his reporting.

Netflix launched its new ad-supported subscription plan in the United States on Thursday, as well as in eight other countries. But if you’re hoping to watch Netflix on a new, cheaper plan on your Apple TV device, you’re going to be waiting a little longer.

Netflix’s support page for its Basic with Ads plan doesn’t offer much insight, but it does plainly state that currently, the plan is not supported on any Apple TV devices. Chromecasts prior to the Google TV model are also not supported, along with Playstation 3 consoles. All of Netflix’s other plans are still available to stream on Apple 4K platforms.

Netflix’s Basic with Ads plan is currently functional on other Apple devices, so the lack of support on Apple TV devices is not an indication of a larger schism between the two companies. Apple TV hosts several other video services that offer an ad-supported tier, so it’s not clear why Netflix was unable to sort out its issues with Apple TV before launch.

A Netflix spokesperson confirmed to 9to5Mac, which first reported the story, that its Basic with Ads plan would be available on Apple TV soon. The spokesperson did not give any more details as to why it is not currently supported on Apple TV.

The lack of functionality on Apple TV devices marks the first major glitch in the rollout of the Basic with Ads plan. Basic with Ads officially launched in Canada and Mexico on Nov. 1 and also debuted in Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, and the United Kingdom on Thursday, with Spain getting the subscription option on Nov. 10.

Another shortcoming with the rollout is that Netflix has not reached licensing agreements with every major studio to include their content on the ad-supported tier. Without those agreements, Netflix cannot show content from studios such as Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and more.

The news is also likely concerning for Apple, considering that the company recently introduced a new generation of Apple TV 4K devices and would like to keep its customers satisfied with the product. While the Basic with Ads plan from Netflix does not support 4K streaming, the lack of functionality for Netflix’s new, lower-cost plan on Apple devices is sure to be disappointing to many customers.

Netflix

Netflix is a leading subscription-based video streaming service that offers on-demand access to an extensive library of over 3,000 movies, 2,000+ TV shows, and a growing collection of acclaimed Netflix originals. Renowned for producing groundbreaking content, Netflix has become a cultural powerhouse with hit originals like “Stranger Things,” “Wednesday,” “Squid Game,” “The Crown,” “Tiger King,” “Bridgerton,” “The Witcher,” and “Black Mirror.”

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The platform constantly updates its catalog, introducing fresh content alongside timeless classics and international hits. Netflix’s commitment to storytelling has also earned critical acclaim, with award-winning exclusives such as “Roma,” “Marriage Story,” “The Power of the Dog,” “Mank,” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” In 2023, their animated film “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, further solidifying Netflix’s reputation for high-quality content.

Recently, Netflix has expanded beyond standard movies and TV titles with the addition of video podcasts, and is also exploring a digital store that would offer third-party streamers within the app.

Netflix offers three plans – stream on 2 devices in HD with the “Standard with Ads” ($8.99) plan, on 2 devices in HD with the “Standard” ($19.99) plan, and 4 devices in up to 4K on the “Premium” ($26.99) plan.


David Satin has been a dedicated News Writer at The Streamable since 2022, covering a wide range of stories in the entertainment and streaming industries. With years of experience writing online, David previously worked as a list writer for Screen Rant, where he gained recognition for his extensive coverage of sci-fi and fantasy genres. His ability to break and analyze major stories has made him a trusted voice in the streaming world. Over the course of his career, Satin has become an integral part of The Streamable team, contributing to some of the most impactful stories in the industry.

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