Netflix's Free Plan in Kenya Set to Terminate on November 1, 2023

Streaming giant Netflix has terminated its free subscription plan in Kenya, effective November 1, 2023. The move comes almost two years after the company introduced this no-cost service for Kenyan users on December 8, 2021.

What This Means for Subscribers

Members currently utilizing the complimentary service will face an automatic membership cancellation unless they opt for one of the platform's paid subscription tiers. This decision, however, provides current free-plan users an opportunity to explore a more extensive array of features, content, and viewing options, starting as low as Ksh 200/month.

Plans on Offer

Netflix's diverse plan array caters to varying viewer preferences and needs. The plans, each with its unique features, are:

• Basic Plan: Priced at Ksh 200/month, offers good video quality at 480p resolution, accessible via phones and tablets.
• Standard Plan: Available at Ksh 300/month, it provides good video quality at 720p, extending its accessibility to phones, tablets, and computers.
• Premium Plan: For Ksh 700/month, users receive better video quality at 1080p and can stream on phones, tablets, computers, and TVs.
• Ultra Plan: The top-tier plan priced at Ksh 1,100/month showcases the best video quality at 4K+HDR resolution, offering accessibility across phones, tablets, computers, and TVs.

It's essential to consider your household's streaming needs when choosing a plan. For instance, while the Ultra Plan allows streaming on four devices simultaneously, the Basic and Standard Plans restrict users to one or two devices.

Why Was Netflix Free in Kenya?

Unlike many countries where Netflix operates as a strictly premium service, the company took a unique approach in Kenya. By offering free access, they made strides into a market with few platforms providing complimentary streaming of movies, TV shows, and other content forms. This decision was a significant boon for Kenyan viewers, providing ad-free streaming, albeit with a limited content library covering roughly one-third of the platform's complete offering.

The selected content on the free service primarily comprised shows produced within Africa and a curated selection from Netflix's global repertoire.

Upgrading from the Free Plan

Members wishing to transition from the free plan can seamlessly upgrade by:

1. Logging into their Netflix account.
2. Navigating to Plan Details.
3. Choosing 'Change Plan'.
4. Selecting their desired plan and confirming the change.

For users facing difficulties or not seeing the 'Change Plan' option, Netflix's customer service remains available for assistance.

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Payment and Accessibility

Although Netflix traditionally accepts payments via Debit or VISA cards, Kenyan subscribers can utilize M-Pesa GlobalPay. After linking their M-Pesa account, they can generate a virtual VISA card to ease the subscription payment process.

However, it's noteworthy that the complimentary Netflix service in Kenya is currently limited to Android devices, specifically those running Android 2.3 or later. Optimal streaming, particularly in high-definition, is best achieved on Android 7 or newer devices.