A recent study predicts that by 2028, nearly 30% of streaming services' revenue will come from advertisements, a sharp increase from the 20% recorded in 2023. This shift is driven by streaming platforms like Netflix offering ad-supported tiers to attract new subscribers amidst market saturation and rising operational costs. These ad-supported tiers are essentially a way to provide a cheaper subscription option but with the caveat of including ads, echoing the old cable TV model. However, this forecast implies that watching ads will soon become a norm for streaming services, which might discourage ad-averse viewers but could help companies balance their overall revenue.

How will the increase in advertisements impact the viewer experience on streaming services?n

As streaming services increasingly rely on ads for revenue, viewers will likely see more interruptions during their shows, similar to traditional cable TV. This change might lead to frustration among ad-averse users, but it could also make subscriptions more affordable for others who don't mind watching ads.

Netflix, historically ad-free, has introduced these ad-supported tiers to adapt to market changes and subscriber expectations. This model is part of a broader industry trend where streaming platforms attempt to balance accessibility and profitability in a competitive market.