After years of uninterrupted binge-watching, TV with ads is making a comeback

The streaming television experience has long been associated with ad-free viewing. Consumers, however, are now presented with a throwback option due to the proliferation of streaming options in recent years: ad-supported entertainment.

Price breaks and commercial breaks are coming to your smart TV in order to encourage consumers to adopt additional streaming services.Earlier this month, Netflix, by far the biggest holdout in the world of ad-supported streaming introduced its ad-supported tier to its lineup.Disney+ will be following suit before the end of the year, joining the likes of Hulu, HBO Max, Paramount Plus, Peacock, Discovery+, Tubi, and Pluto TV.Research shows consumers are much more likely to add a new streaming service to their existing lineup if it has an ad-supported option. Studies have also shown most consumers set their streaming threshold at 3-5 services but are enticed by exclusive titles and tend to jump between services that aren’t within their individual essential 1-2.Streaming media companies are also hoping these options help to stabilize their subscriber numbers. This is because competition within the vertical remains tight and as consumers do the math when comparing their monthly streaming subscription fees to their old cable bills.For advertisers this is a new entry point for what has been an elusive audience, cord cutters.And with Netflix and Disney both introducing their ad-supported options within weeks of one another it is a tremendous amount of ad inventory to be introduced to the market all at once.These newly available ad-supported streaming options offer more choices for consumers at lower prices -- and more inventory opportunities for marketers.BONUS BLOG!For any new adopters of Netflix's new ad-supported streaming tier, here are Subset's Five Most Bingeworthly shows on Netflix.1. Better Call Saul2. Stranger Things3. Dead to Me4. The Good Place5. BoJack Horseman