Netflix Quietly Axes 30-Day Free Trial Offer In U.S.

Well, reader, today marks the end of an era in the world of streaming services. Gone are the days of making like 40 burner email accounts to watch Black Mirror, BoJack Horseman, and if you're an 80's baby that just can't let go, Fuller House. No longer can we pull a Dwight, having a seemingly endless supply of disguises to avoid shelling out $8.99 a month. Alas! Earlier this week, Netflix did away with its long-running 30-day free trial, to the dismay of our bank accounts and binge-watching tendencies. 

According to CNET, the streaming giant quietly quashed the famed trial to viewers in the United States after doing so in Mexico and several other countries over the past two years. “Free trials are not available, but you can still sign up and take advantage of all Netflix has to offer,” now reads their website, breaking our collective hearts. Yet not all hope is lost -- according to Gizmodo, the move comes in light of Netflix launching their free site, which offers a variety of shows and films you can view (not binge, view) without shelling out nearly $9 per month. Sounds like a pretty good deal ... if you only want to watch the first episode of Stranger Things, Bird Box, and like nothing else. We'll take what we can get. 

Yet Netflix isn't entirely alone -- earlier this summer, Disney+ made headlines after canceling their free trial earlier this summer, a devastating blow to those who just want to obsessively rewatch Lizzie McGuire in an attempt to cope with the dumpster fire-y state of our world sans the $70 yearly price tag. Oh well. At least we Hulu, CBS All Access, HBO Max and Peacock, which all have free trials we can definitely not exploit in the meantime. When the going gets tough, the tough get going ... to other streaming services, I guess. 

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go back to binging Never Have I Ever and the new season of The Great British Bake Off, after sending my parents a long text thanking them for letting me leech off of their account, especially in light of this heartbreaking development. You're the real MVPs. 

For more wonderful free internet content, follow Carly on Instagram @HuntressThompson_ and on Twitter @TennesAnyone.