Netflix plans to lower the price of its ad-supported option to between $7 and $9 (around R118 and R151).

Ads will be before and during shows/movies but not after

The premium package sets South African users back R199 per month and comes with no ads. The subscription streaming service wants to attract new viewers who are willing to watch a few commercials in exchange for a lower price.

The plan Netflix is ​​looking to implement is to sell four minutes of ads per hour for the ad-supported service. This means viewers will see ads before and during certain shows, but not after.

The cheapest option is expected to launch in the last three months of 2022 in a few markets. The full rollout of the ad-supported tier will have to wait until early 2023, Netflix said.

Why does Netflix offer this option?

During the first half of this year, there were a number of subscriber losses from Netflix. The company believes this cheaper option will attract new customers and provide those wishing to cancel their subscription with a cheaper alternative.

In terms of ad frequency, Netflix hopes that by starting slow they can avoid complaints. Ads will not be tailored to every viewer, so most people will see the same ads, reports Bloomberg.

What programs/movies will have ads?

Netflix will not run ads in children’s shows initially. It will also not include commercials in its original films. Most older shows from Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, and Paramount may have ads, but newer shows may not.

‘Ludik’: Netflix announces its first title in Afrikaans with Arnold Vosloo

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Netflix has announced the release of its first Afrikaans title Ludik which stars iconic actor Arnold Vosloo on August 26.

Netflix’s first series of Afrikaans titles, Ludik, is set to release worldwide on August 26. The racy six-part series stars South African-born Hollywood actor Arnold Vosloo (Silvertone Siege) in the lead role of Daan Ludik.

The series revolves around Ludik. He appears to be a salt of the earth oke, posing as a wholesome family man who runs a successful furniture business. However, behind the varnish of respectability, Ludik bathes in the underworld which sees him cross paths with gangsters and assassins. Read the full story here.