Breaking news

Netflix’s Ad Tier Surges to 94 Million Users: A Paradigm Shift in Streaming

Published on May 14, 2025, Netflix announced remarkable growth in its ad-supported tier, now boasting 94 million monthly active users. This marks a significant increase of over 20 million since November, showcasing the platform’s growing appeal.

Introduced in November 2022, the ad-supported plan offers a cost-effective option at $7.99 per month, compared to the $17.99 ad-free tier. Netflix’s strategy is to enhance profitability by integrating advertisements, a pathway increasingly adopted by streaming services.

According to Netflix’s president of advertising, Amy Reinhard, “Our audience’s attention begins high and concludes even higher. Impressively, engagement with mid-roll ads matches that of our content.” This indicates a shifting dynamic in viewer habits, echoing broader industry trends.

Interestingly, the ad-supported tier has captivated more 18- to 34-year-olds than any US broadcast or cable network, highlighting the platform’s demographic reach.

As Netflix aligns its strategy with evolving viewer preferences, its growth story brings to mind similarly transformative shifts in other sectors.

A New Twitter-Inspired Social Network Is Taking Shape

A new social network called Twitter.now is entering the market, with a founding team that includes former Twitter trademark counsel Stephen Coates. The service is being developed by startup Operation Bluebird.

As Ars Technica reported, X sued the company last year and asked a Delaware judge to block the launch. Operation Bluebird argued in a petition that X had abandoned trademarks including “Twitter” and “Tweet.”

Coates has said the project is not an attempt to recreate the original Twitter. In a LinkedIn post, he described the platform as a new public space focused on trust, transparency and user choice.

AI System To Rate Posts

Twitter.now is currently being tested, with early access priced at $20. Its main feature is VERA, an AI system designed to evaluate posts, verify claims and provide sources and context.

Posts receive a trust score, with users eventually able to set a minimum score to filter their feeds. The company says this approach will give people more control over what they see instead of leaving those decisions entirely to an algorithm.

Moderation Remains A Challenge

Scaling moderation will be one of the platform’s biggest tests. Social networks have repeatedly struggled with content moderation as their communities grow, and newer platforms such as Bluesky have faced similar criticism.

Operation Bluebird says VERA will form the basis of its moderation and verification system. A second version is already planned, with expanded tools that would let users set a specific trust threshold for the posts appearing in their feeds.

For now, Twitter.now remains in an early testing phase, combining the familiarity of the Twitter name with an AI-driven approach to evaluating online information.

Aretilaw firm
The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
Uol
eCredo

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter