Netflix ditches free trial model

Netflix has removed its free trial option in what could become a trend for the industry.

Initially spotted in the US, it would appear that the option has also been removed in other countries including the UK and India.

While free trials have been an industry standard for years – Netflix has historically given users a month for free – the streaming giant has been phasing out the option in a number of countries for some time.

Netflix instead said that it will look to highlight and promote its original programming in other ways in order to attract new subscribers. One such example of this was announced at the beginning of September, when Netflix made 10 titles including the Academy Award-nominated The Two Popes along with episodes from Stranger Things and Love is Blind available to watch for free without a membership.

The company also made teen drama To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before free in order to promote the release of its sequel, To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You.

These tests to attract subscribers aren’t just leaning on enticing viewers with content though. In the UK, for example, Netflix is currently promising the second month of a membership for free following a paid first month.

The news is contrasted against Apple, which this week has moved to extend its one-year free trial through to February 2021.