Netflix’s Ad‑Supported Tier Surges to 94 Million Subscribers

How the cheaper, ad‑backed plan is reshaping Netflix’s growth trajectory

Netflix’s ad‑supported tier has climbed from 70 million in November 2024 to 94 million by mid‑May 2025, underscoring its appeal amid economic uncertainty. This article unpacks the data, explores strategic implications, and assesses what lies ahead for Netflix’s advertising push.

A Remarkable Six‑Month Climb

In a report dated May 14, 2025, Netflix revealed that its ad‑supported tier has reached 94 million monthly active users—an impressive rise from 70 million in November 2024. That’s a gain of over 20 million users in just six months . The ad‑supported plan, priced at $7.99 per month in the U.S., remains significantly cheaper than the lowest ad‑free tier, which costs $17.99 .

Capturing Young Viewers—and Advertisers

Netflix pointed out that its ad‑supported tier now reaches more U.S. viewers aged 18 to 34 than any broadcast or cable network . Amy Reinhard, Netflix’s president of advertising, emphasized that viewer engagement with mid‑roll ads matches engagement with the content itself: “attention starts higher and ends much higher” compared to competitors . This demographic dominance positions Netflix as a powerful player in attracting ad dollars.