Netflix has silently removed its most affordable ad-free subscription plan in Canada.
The streaming giant’s $9.99/month ‘Basic’ plan has been its cheapest plan for several years now, but it mysteriously disappeared from Netflix’s subscription tier options on Friday.
The streaming giant has not officially announced the change, but on its website, Netflix says its Basic plan is “no longer available for new or rejoining members.” However, Netflix says those still subscribed to the Basic tier can remain on the plan until they change or cancel their account.
Image credit: Netflix
It’s worth noting that Netflix’s Basic plan is still available in the United States.
Like its ‘Basic with Ads‘ tier and paid password sharing (which it has yet to enforce in Canada), Netflix is likely testing getting rid of its Basic subscription tier in Canada before killing it off in the United States. Password sharing is only available on the streaming platform’s ‘Premium’ subscription plan and costs an additional $7.99 per user.
Standard with ads: $5:99/month, 1080p, “great” video quality, simultaneous viewing on two screens, no downloads
Standard: $16.49/month, 1080p (Full HD), “great” video quality, simultaneous viewing on two devices, downloads included
Premium: $20.99, 4K (Ultra HD) +HDR, “best” video quality, simultaneous viewing on four screens, downloads included
With this new pricing structure, Canadian Netflix subscribers’ cheapest option is to watch the streaming service with ads at $5.99/month. Otherwise, the cost jumps up to $16.95/month for the Standard plan now that the $9.99/month Basic tier is gone.
According to the Canadian Press, Netflix has removed the Basic option for new subscribers and will pull it for current users “in the near future.”
Toronto-Dominion Bank has named new co-heads of its U.S. commercial banking business.
TD says Andy Bregenzer and Jill Gateman will jointly lead the operations.
The bank says the appointments follow the announcement earlier this year of Chris Giamo’s retirement.
Bregenzer will focus on leading all aspects of the regional commercial bank, including small business.
Gateman will lead TD’s national commercial banking effort in the U.S., including middle market, sponsor-backed finance and TD’s other specialty lending lines of business.
TD, which is working to resolve investigations into failures in its anti-money laundering program in the U.S., announced last week that chief executive Bharat Masrani would retire next year and be replaced by Raymond Chun.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2024.
MONTREAL – Lightspeed Commerce Inc. says it is conducting a review of its business and operations including talks relating to a range of potential strategic alternatives.
The Montreal-based payments technology company made the comments after reports concerning a potential transaction involving the company.
Lightspeed says it periodically undertakes a review of its business and operations with a view of realizing its full potential.
A strategic review is often seen by investors as a prelude to a sale by a company.
Lightspeed says its board of directors is committed to acting in the best interests of the company and its stakeholders.
Company founder Dax Dasilva returned to the role of chief executive officer earlier this year and has been working to return the company to profitability.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2024.
MONTREAL – National Bank of Canada says it has cleared a key regulatory hurdle in its proposed acquisition of Canadian Western Bank.
The Montreal-based bank says it has received the Competition Bureau’s clearance for the deal.
The transaction still requires approval by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions and the minister of finance.
Canadian Western shareholders voted to approve the deal earlier this month.
National Bank announced an all-stock deal to buy Canadian Western earlier this year in a proposal that valued the Edmonton-based bank at about $5 billion.
It has said its acquisition of Canadian Western will significantly expand its western footprint and create a stronger national competitor.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2024.
