Why are some Netflix shows not available on the ad tier?

Netflix officially launched its new basic ad-supported plan in early November 2022, but subscribers quickly noticed that several of the streamer’s most popular shows are unavailable on the cheapest tier.

Prior to launch, Netflix warned that approximately 5 to 10%—dependent on the country—of their catalog would not be available to watch with ads due to licensing restrictions. Since the ad support is so new, it will take some time for Netflix to work through the roadblocks preventing them from putting their entire catalog on the cheapest subscription level.

Variety has shared a list of some of the most notable omissions on the Netflix Basic With Ads plan, which you can see below. Note that the following lists are incomplete, as Netflix has not yet shared every show/movie unavailable on the plan.

Greg Peters, Netflix’s chief operating officer, previously said they would be working on reducing the number of movies and TV shows that “won’t be available due to licensing restrictions” over time.

Those who subscribe to the basic plan will also be unable to download Netflix titles for offline viewing, which makes sense since it would defeat the purpose of having ads when users can skip them once downloaded.

Shows not currently available on Netflix’s ad-supported tier

• Arrested Development
• Friday Night Lights
• House of Cards
• Knight Rider
• Marlon
• New Girl
• Peaky Blinders
• Queen of the South
• The Last Kingdom
• The Magicians
• The Sinner
• Uncoupled

Movies not currently available on Netflix’s ad-supported tier

• 28 Days
• A Good Old Fashioned Orgy
• A Monster Calls
• Blue Jasmine
• Casino Royale
• Contraband
• Darkest Hour
• Legend
• Made of Honor
• Man on a Ledge
• Morbius
• Oblivion
• Phantom Thread
• Quantum of Solace
• Rambo
• Road House
• Robin Hood
• Sing 2
• Skyfall
• Steve Jobs
• The Bad Guys
• The Butler
• The Hateful Eight
• The Imitation Game
• The Mist
• Tully
• Vice
• Wanted

Why aren’t some of Netflix’s shows and movies on the Netflix Basic With Ads plan?

As mentioned above, licensing restrictions on certain titles prevent Netflix from placing ads. Most shows listed are not actually Netflix Originals, meaning that Netflix has to negotiate with the owners to stream with ads.

Similarly, some of Netflix’s “Original” shows and movies don’t belong to them either and might be licensed or co-produced with another production company or distributor. That’s one reason some Netflix Originals have left the service: they weren’t created in-house or owned solely by Netflix. That’s why “Netflix Originals” like Hemlock Grove, the Marvel Netflix series, and Lilyhammer were eventually removed.

Are you planning to switch to Netflix’s ad-supported plan? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.