Regarding Netflix, it has a mixed fanbase because of how the company cracks down on password sharing and releases really great shows occasionally. On top of that, monthly fees have increased in a few countries including Malaysia but that could change.
According to Bloomberg, it is reported that Netflix is considering rolling out a free-streaming service tier package but with ads. Europe and Asia are strong contenders for this, instead of the US market. The reason why Netflix is skipping the US is because the customer base target has been reached. The company also don't see any potential new sign-ups for this offer.
Just so you know, Netflix actually experimented with something similar back in 2021. The company tested a Spotify-like free-tier service in Kenya, where customers over the age of 18 can sign up for free and they didn't need to give any payment information. The service closed in October 2023 and Netflix told Reuters that the team there learnt a lot and the company will continue to offer a variety of other plans.
In a way, this free-streaming service tier plan functions the same as watching YouTube but without signing up for the Premium membership. However, it is unclear how often an ad would appear in a TV show or movie. Still, there is great potential for the Malaysian market since we like free things.
For your information, the cheapest tier for Netflix users in Malaysia is the Mobile plan at RM17 per month. Subscribers of this plan can watch unlimited ad-free movies, TV shows and mobile games (Netflix Games) but only in SD and watch or download on a phone or tablet at a time. Besides that, being an extra member is also affordable at RM13 per month but requires to be adopted by a Standard or Premium user.
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