Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, subscriptions have increased across all major services. In 2021, it was reported that 67% of U.S. households had a paid TV subscription, proving that while cord-cutting is popular, it has not completely taken over the industry. Four major streamers have already raised prices on monthly subscriptions so far this year, and Disney+ is set to do so next month.

Netflix is adding an ad-supported tier that is less expensive at noon on November 3. Subscribers who choose a plan with ads will see four to five minutes of commercials every hour, with each running about 15 to 30 seconds, before and during shows and movies.

“I think it’s really stupid for Netflix to add ads to the content,” freshman Nadia Snyder stated.

With this addition, Netflix now has 4 plans: $6.99 a month for basic with commercials, $9.99 basic without ads, $15.49 standard without ads, and $19.99 premium without ads.

“Honestly I’m really tempted to get my parents to get rid of the Netflix subscription. The way Netflix was originally was better,” freshman Townsend Rader said.

Disney+ is raising its monthly fee on December 8 for subscribers who want to keep their commercial-free plans. Its new ad-supported tier, launching that same day, will cost $7.99 a month, while the premium, commercial-free level will jump to $10.99 a month, and the annual plan will rise to $109.99. The new ad-supported tier will feature about four minutes of commercials an hour, in 15-30 second spots.

HBO Max launched its ad-supported plan in 2021 and has not raised prices this year, but do not expect that to last through 2023. Newly formed corporate parent Warner Bros. Discovery will merge HBO Max with Discovery+ next spring. The ad-supported tier has about four minutes of commercials per hour and is generally regarded as fairly viewer-friendly.

“I feel like people should just pay for the no ads subscriptions so I don’t have to hear them complain about ads,” freshman Ellie Davis said.