Netflix is bringing its cheaper ad-supported plan to 15 more countries. However, the expansion starts in 2027, not this year.
Viewers in the new markets are getting notice early, not instant access today.
If you live in one of the new markets, this should give you another way to subscribe without paying for a higher-priced ad-free tier.
Which 15 countries are getting Netflix’s ad plan
Netflix named these new markets for the 2027 rollout:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Colombia
- Denmark
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- the Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Peru
- the Philippines
- Poland
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Thailand
The above has a mix of European, Latin American, and Asia-Pacific markets. It will be considered as one of Netflix’s biggest international ad-tier expansions so far.
What the cheaper Netflix plan usually includes
Netflix’s current ad-supported option is called Standard with ads. In the markets where it already exists, a subscription to it gives you:
- A cheaper streaming plan that contains ads.
- Most movies and TV shows. Some titles could be unavailable because of licensing.
- Streaming in 1080p full HD.
- Watching on 2 supported devices at the same time.
- Downloads on 2 supported devices.
This tier is not a stripped-down version of Netflix in every way. You still get Full HD, downloads, and multi-device access.
The trade-off is the ad breaks and the fact that a small number of titles may be missing on the ad-supported tier. The firm also collects your data for better ad targeting.
What Netflix has not revealed yet
There are still significant unknowns:
- No local prices for the 15 new countries yet
- No exact 2027 launch dates by market
- No full breakdown of whether each market will get the same content limits or ad experience
- No sign that the rollout will start this year
Why Netflix is doing this now
The simple answer is that Netflix’s ad plan is working for the firm. The company’s Upfront 2026 presentation was aimed at advertisers, and the message was that Netflix now has a very large ad-supported audience and wants to grow it further.
Netflix has spent years being known for mostly ad-free streaming. Now it is pushing a lower-cost plan much harder, and that changes how people in new markets may think about paying for the service.
It also fits the bigger streaming trend. More services are trying to keep people by offering different price levels instead of only one premium option. Netflix is clearly leaning into that model by expanding the ad-supported plan instead of treating it like a niche offer.