Netflix Removes Basic Ad-Free Plan in US and UK

Manchester United will have to play the waiting game before getting their latest Premier League charge underway in the Monday night showdown against Wolves at Old Trafford (8pm).

BBC Asian Network’s Breakfast Show host Nikita Kanda and Waterloo Road actor Adam Thomas are the latest stars to join the Strictly Come Dancing 2023 line-up.

Naman Ramachandran “Avoidance,” featuring BAFTA-winning British comedian Romesh Ranganathan, will premiere on BritBox International in North America and South Africa in September. Created and written by Ranganathan and Benjamin Green (“Romantic Getaway”) and starring Ranganathan (BBC’s “The Ranganation,” Netflix special “The Cynic”), the series follows anti-hero Jonathan who is struggling to get back on his feet after breaking up with partner Claire (Jessica Knappett, “Ghosts”). After Claire has accused him of being impossible to live with and keen to avoid conflict at all costs, Jonathan moves in with his sister (Mandeep Dhillon, “CSI: Vegas”) and her wife (Lisa McGrillis, “Mum”).

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have not received an invite to the Royal Family's commemorations to mark the anniversary of the Queen's death, according to reports.

Netflix UK this August, including the second season of Heartstopper and a string of new documentaries.A full list of every film and TV show being added to Netflix this month (via What’s On Netflix) has emerged, along with the movie titles leaving the platform.Season two of the acclaimed LGBTQ youth drama Heartstopper, which NME said in a four-star review brings “more teenage tenderness in a time of turbulence”, streams on Netflix from tomorrow (August 3).Other notable additions include new documentaries about Jake Paul, Tyson Fury, and Johnny Depp and Amber Heard.The full list of films and TV shows being added to Netflix in August 2023 is below:August 1August 2 August 3August 4August 7August 8August 9August 10August 11August 12August 14August 15August 16August 17August 18August 22August 23August 24August 25You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah (2003)August 28Princess Power (Season 2)August 31In other Netflix news, the streamer recently axed its cheapest ad-free plan in the US and UK.

Roland Emmerich’s upcoming gladiator series Those About to Die has been picked up by Prime Video across Europe.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Prime Video has acquired the Ancient Rome gladiator drama series “Those About to Die” in multiple European territories. The show is directed by “Independence Day” helmer Roland Emmerich and Marco Kreuzpaintner. The 10-episode first season will debut exclusively on Prime Video in Germany, the U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, Poland, Turkey, Andorra, Monaco, Luxembourg and Belgium.

Pink and Brandi Carlile just mourned the loss of Sinéad O’Connor in the most beautiful way.

Ariana Madix is reportedly still not ready to film alongside her cheating ex Tom Sandoval.

Pink and Brandi Carlile are honoring the late Sinéad O’Connor.

Oh, what sweet, sweet revenge this is!

Angel Studios is launching its unexpected summer hit Sound of Freedom in a bunch of international markets after it made $127M during its first three weeks in U.S. theaters. 

Ariana Madix got a dig in at her ex.

Ariana Madix is the latest “bombshell” hitting Fiji.

Ariana Madix has entered the villa.

Trainspotting producer Andrew Macdonald has been appointed as the new Chair of the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF). 

Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix has entered the Love Island USA villa as the show teased her appearance for Tuesday night’s episode.

Manchester United are set to begin their tour of the US with a friendly against Arsenal in New York on Saturday.

Netflix has dropped its cheapest ad-free plan in the US and UK.After it was first phased out in Canada last month, the basic ad-free tier which cost £6.99 in the UK and $9.99 in the US is no longer available in both countries for new and rejoining members.Those who are currently subscribed to the plan however will be able to keep the subscription, as long as you don’t cancel or change plans.In the company’s earnings call report posted on Wednesday (July 19), Netflix wrote: “In Q1, we lowered prices in a number of less penetrated markets, and in Q2, we phased out our Basic ads-free plans for new and rejoining members in Canada (existing members on the Basic ads-free plan are unaffected). We’re now doing the same in the US and the UK.“We believe our entry prices in these countries – $6.99 in the US, £4.99 in the UK and $5.99 in Canada – provide great value to consumers given the breadth and quality of our catalogue.”With the removal of the basic ad-free plan, Netflix now offers three subscription tiers; the £4.99/$6.99 per month ad-supported plan, the £10.99/£15.49 ad-free standard plan, and the £15.99/$19.99 per month premium tier which supports improved video quality.In the same report, Netflix said it saw the addition of 5.9million subscribers globally since March, following the streaming service’s crackdown on password sharing between households.

Ariana Madix has been taking inspiration from Taylor Swift’s “Vigilante S—t” following her breakup from Tom Sandoval — and is dressing for revenge.