Netflix has announced that it will discontinue its complimentary service in Kenya starting from November 1st, 2023. This decision comes after offering the free plan for a two-year period.
In a communication to its members, Netflix stated, “Hello Netflix member, we’re reaching out to inform you about an upcoming change to your membership. Starting from November 1st, 2023, the Free plan will be discontinued, and your membership will conclude.” The streaming platform also assured its users that no action would be required on their part, as their membership would be automatically canceled when the free plan ends.
Back in September 2021, Netflix introduced this complimentary mobile plan in Kenya with the aim of fostering growth in an important African market. The free plan, which was accessible on Android mobile phones, offered ad-free streaming of approximately one-quarter of Netflix’s TV shows and movies. It also included popular Netflix content and featured African series like “Blood & Water,” along with some licensed programming.
For users who wish to continue enjoying Netflix, they will now need to sign up for one of the various premium plans available. Netflix encouraged its subscribers to consider upgrading to a plan that starts at a minimum cost of Sh200 per month, stating, “You can unlock all shows and movies, including more features, and the option to watch on your phone.”
This shift in strategy aligns with Netflix’s broader efforts to boost its revenue and expand its subscriber base. Starting in July, Netflix initiated a verification process in Kenya, where users were asked to confirm whether they resided in the same household as the account owner. This measure was introduced to tackle the issue of password-sharing beyond immediate family members. The system could identify users on the same internet network as the registered account, and users could confirm their status by entering a verification code sent via email.
