New subscribers to Netflix in Canada can no longer subscribe to the streamer’s most basic tier.
Instead, their choices are restricted to Basic with ads ($5.99), which allows viewing on a single device at any one time; Standard ($16.49), including HD on two screens at any given time; and Premium ($20.99), on up to four screens at any one time.
The change appears to have taken place in the last few weeks, but only now has the move become more widely known, following its discovery by the Canadian website, blogTO.
Subscribers who are already signed up to Basic will be able to continue doing so, unless they break their current contract.
“The Basic plan is no longer available for new or rejoining members. If you are currently on the Basic plan, you can remain on this plan until you change plans or cancel your account,” the company said in a message posted on its support page.
Netflix has also been pursuing its crackdown on unlicensed sharing of its service.
Earlier this month Broadband TV News reported Netflix has had the four single largest days of US user acquisitions since the beginning of 2019 after having told subscribers it would limit password sharing on May 23.