Netflix recently announced that it would be phasing out its Basic ad-free plan in certain countries, starting with Canada and the UK.
However, South Africa will not be affected by this change. The streaming giant has confirmed that it has no plans to discontinue the Basic plan in South Africa, much to the relief of its local subscribers.
The Basic plan, which is the cheapest option for users who want to watch on larger screens like TVs, has been available in South Africa since Netflix launched in the country in January 2016. Initially priced at $7.99, it was later reduced to R99 when Netflix introduced rand-based pricing in 2018.
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While the prices of the Standard and Premium plans were increased in 2022, the price of the Basic plan has remained the same, making it comparable to MultiChoice’s Showmax.
Speaking of Showmax, the launch of Showmax 2.0 in February 2024 will introduce a new pricing structure, with the service being priced at R89.
This puts it slightly below the cost of Netflix’s Basic plan. However, Netflix has stated that it will not be making any price changes in South Africa in the near future.
It’s important to note that Netflix’s decision to discontinue the Basic ad-free plan overseas does not mean that all countries will be affected. Netflix often experiments with changes in countries like Canada and the UK before rolling them out to other regions.
South Africa has been spared from this change, and subscribers can continue enjoying the Basic plan at its current price.
For those who are unfamiliar with the Basic plan, it offers ad-free streaming of movies and TV shows at standard definition quality, with the option to watch on one screen at a time.
While the Standard and Premium plans offer higher streaming quality and the ability to watch on multiple screens simultaneously, the Basic plan remains a popular choice for budget-conscious viewers.
It’s worth mentioning that Netflix does not currently offer any ad-supported plans in South Africa. This means that subscribers in the country can enjoy their favourite movies and TV shows without interruptions from commercials.
In conclusion, South African subscribers can breathe a sigh of relief as Netflix has confirmed that it will not be discontinuing the Basic ad-free plan in the country.
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The Basic plan, priced at R99 per month, remains the most affordable option for those who want to watch on larger screens. With no plans for price changes in the near future, South African Netflix users can continue to enjoy their favourite content without any disruptions.
Table: Netflix’s Plans and Pricing in South Africa
| Netflix South Africa plans compared | ||||
| Mobile | Basic | Standard | Premium | |
| Supported devices | Mobile phone, tablet | Mobile phone, tablet, computer, TV, streaming box | Mobile phone, tablet, computer, TV, streaming box | Mobile phone, tablet, computer, TV, streaming box |
| Device sign-in limit | None | None | None | None |
| Device download limit | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Number of personalised profiles | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Concurrent streams | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Maximum streaming quality | 480p (SD) | 480p (SD) | 1080p (Full HD) | 2160p (4K Ultra HD) |
| Dolby Vision or HDR10 | No | No | No | Yes |
| Dolby Atmos | No | No | No | Yes |
| Dolby 5.1 Surround | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price | R49 | R99 | R159 | R199 |
