Good news for budget-conscious streamers: the Netflix Standard with Ads plan just got a massive upgrade. After years of licensing headaches, only 60 out of 8,107 titles — a mere 0.74% of the entire US library — remain blocked for ad-tier subscribers. And it’s all thanks to the recently activated Sony Pictures deal.
This is a dramatic turnaround from when the ad tier launched in late 2022, when a hefty 5.1% of the library was locked out. Here’s how the numbers have shifted over time:
How the Blocked Netflix Content % Has Dropped Over Time?
| Year | Titles Blocked | % of Library Blocked |
|---|---|---|
| Late 2022 (Launch) | 326 of 6,324 | 5.10% |
| End of 2024 | ~160 of ~7,900 | ~2.00% |
| January 2026 | ~150 | 1.85% |
| Pre-Sony Deal (April 2026) | 140 | ~1.72% |
| Post-Sony Deal (Now) | 60 of 8,107 | 0.74% |
The Sony deal — originally expected to kick in by 2027 — arrived early and unlocked 80 movies in one sweep. Shows like Peaky Blinders were quietly cleared for ads as far back as 2025.
Who’s Still Blocking Content on Netflix Ad Tier?
So who are the remaining holdouts? A clear pattern emerges among the ~60 stubborn titles:
🔸 DreamWorks Animation TV — The biggest chunk. Despite being Netflix Originals, ad rights were never negotiated. Think Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, Kipo, and the Boss Baby series.
🔸 NBCUniversal / Telemundo — Titles like Queen of the South and Dirty John are still off-limits for ad-tier viewers.
🔸 AMC Studios — Shows like Moonhaven and 61st Street remain blocked, even as AMC expands its Netflix presence.
🔸 The Weinstein Company (Legacy) — Bankruptcy-linked rights chaos keeps films like Lion and The Founder stuck in limbo.
🔸 Media Rights Capital (MRC) — The most ironic holdout: House of Cards, the very show that put Netflix Originals on the map, can’t run ads without MRC’s sign-off.
🔸 Independent Distributors — Critically acclaimed indie films like Boyhood, Frances Ha, and Wind River require tedious one-by-one negotiations.
If you’re on the ad-supported plan, this is genuinely great news. You’re now getting near-complete access to one of the world’s largest streaming libraries at a fraction of the premium cost. Keep tabs on the latest Netflix subscription and streaming deals on TechnoSports to make sure you’re always getting the best value.
Curious which specific titles are still blocked? Check our streaming news section at TechnoSports for the full updated list and OTT coverage.
