If you’re a Netflix subscriber and an Apple TV owner, you might want to hold off on moving to the $6.99 per month ad-supported tier of the streaming service. There’s just one big issue with that combo, the new plan doesn’t work yet on Apple TV devices.
“Basic with ads plan support on tvOS is not available at launch but coming soon,” Netflix told Variety. A Netflix support page, spotted first by 9to5Mac, notes that you can only watch Netflix on Apple TV if you are subscribed to the Basic, Standard, or Premium plans.
Basic with ads isn’t supported on Apple TV.To watch Netflix on your Apple TV, you’ll need to upgrade your Netflix plan to the Basic, Standard, or Premium plan.
Or, to watch Netflix and stay on your current plan, you’ll need to use a different device.
Netflix didn’t offer an explanation of why the Basic With Ads plan doesn’t work on Apple TV, despite it being available and working on competing devices, including Amazon Fire TV devices, Android, Chromecast with Google TV, game consoles, iOS devices, and numerous smart TVs.
The new ad-supported $6.99 viewing tier began rolling out to users on Thursday, and while much stays the same, there are differences.
What stays the same: A wide variety of TV shows and movies; a personalized viewing experience; availability on a wide range of TV and mobile devices; the ability to change or cancel your plan at any time.
What’s different: Video quality up to 720p/HD; an average of 4 to 5 minutes of ads per hour; a limited number of movies and TV shows won’t be available due to licensing restrictions; no ability to download titles.
Netflix content won’t always be interrupted by commercials, as major releases will offer a pre-movie string of ads but no ads will interrupt the film.