Until a few years ago, when OTT platforms like Amazon Prime Video, JioHotstar, Z55, came up, they gave viewers a great option to watch movies and web series legally, without any ads. People liked these platforms with open hands because they wanted to get away from torrent sites like Movierulz, Tamilrockers. But now the situation is changing as OTT platforms are showing ads even after taking money, and this is annoying the users. The question is—will people turn to torrent websites like Movierulz again now? Let’s know about this in detail below:
What was the promise of OTT platforms earlier?
When OTT platforms came up, their main attraction was—ad-free content. People thought that now they will be able to watch their favorite movies and shows peacefully (no need to download) in better quality by paying money. Amazon Prime Video gave content without ads on ₹999 annual subscription, later charged ₹1499/year. Jiohotstar (earlier Disney+Hotstar) also made the same promise and offered multiple subscriptions plans based on monthly, quarterly and yearly. But now in 2025, these OTT platforms like Prime Video, Z5, and JioHotstar have gradually adopted new models which is even though you have paid the amount, ads will still be shown.
What has changed now?
As published by Wayne Friedman (staff writer) on Media Post, it has been found that by enabling the ad-supported models, the OTT platforms in the USA market has increased their revenue by a good margin. Brian Wieser of Madison & Wall predicts that major premium streaming services will experience a meaningful increase in ad revenue. Disney+ anticipates 36% of its subscribers will use ad-supported plans by next year, while Hulu is projected to be at 65%; Max (28%); Netflix (15%); Paramount+ (58%); and Peacock (84%).
Disney+, Hulu, Max, Netflix, Primary+ and Peacock’s market share considerably increased since 2022, with Disney+ holding 3%, Hulu (60%), Max (25%), Netflix (0%), Paramount+ at 50% and Peacock at 80%. And based on these tested results, the OTT companies have started implementing the ad-supported models in India.
In 2025, JioHotstar has started showing ads in its new plan (Mobile and Super) also know as Ad-Supported plan. Earlier the experience was ad-free, but now if you have subscribed Rs 499/year mobile plan or Rs 899/year Super plan then the ads having length 20 seconds to 1:30 minutes will be shown after 15-20 minutes. This is so irritating and to avoid these ads… buy their Premium plan which costs around Rs 1499/year.
Z5 and SonyLIV also opted the same model and now shows ads in some content after subscription. But the most trolled OTT platform on social media is Amazon Prime Video as they also launched an “ad-supported” plan in India. This OTT platform don’t even make proper content! And if somehow there’s something good, they’ll say – rent it, early access, take it from this app, or that app! And after that, whatever garbage is left, they’ll show ads on it! They take ₹1499 and give trash content, and still show ads on top! It’s not selling already – what will they achieve by taking out this circus now? And their attitude? If you want ad-free, pay ₹699 more! As mentioned on primevideo.com or published by The Hindu Bureau, users in India will have to pay an add-on charge of ₹129 a month or ₹699 along with their membership in order to bypass ads – Wah bhai Wah!
Netflix is still ad-free in India, but for how long? As published official website of Netflix, the same ad-supported model would come in India soon and users will see ads before and during select TV shows and movies, Some newly released movies only have ads before they begin. The length of ad in Netflix would be around 4-5 minutes per hour in cheaper plans.
The question is— if people are forced to watch ads even after paying money, then what is the benefit of OTT platforms? This is cheating and people might look for free or ad-free options!
Will people go back to torrent sites?
It is true that sites like Movierulz, Tamilrockers have always provided content for free and without ads. Using these you can download a movie or tv show for free on your devices and watch it for free without internet without ads. But using these sites is illegal and also dangerous from the cyber security point of view. Still, when OTT platforms go back on their promises, people lose patience.
Many users on Reddit and X are complaining that they are enduring ads even after paying money. Some say that if this continues, they will go back to torrenting. However, this is not the right solution, as it harms the film industry and increases the risk of malware in users’ devices.
What should OTT platforms do?
If OTT companies want to maintain the trust of users for long time to make the company in profit, they will have to do two things –
- Don’t Charge the Superscription : If ads are being shown, then don’t charge the subscription from the users. You can run the ads on content like YouTube in the starting or middle and in this way, the users will not feel cheated.
- Keep Ad Limited – Value for money: Alternatively, keep the subscription price low and make it limited up to 1 or 2 screens. Apart from that, even you would like to show ads, then show it in starting or in the middle for 1 to 2 times only. This looks more practical and doesn’t spoil the experience and Netflix works on this model and tried and tested in USA or UK.
Conclusion
OTT platforms had helped keep people away from torrent sites, but if they continue to show ads for 5 to 6 times in 45-50 minutes of span after taking money, then users’ anger will increase. Companies need to understand that people subscribed so that they could watch content in peace. If this trend continues, some users will definitely turn back to torrenting, even if it is wrong.
This is a warning to OTT platforms— don’t test users’ anger, else they will find an alternative, even if it is illegal. This will not be good for OTT companies as it will cause them to lose revenue and also reduce profits. So hey OTT providers… stay away from these annoying things and focus on how you can provide a better watching experience to existing or new users.
Apart from that who already have subscribed the ad-supported model and now getting frustrated, our advice is – download movie on the device as OTT offers download option and watch it offline (turn off the internet/mobile data). There will be no ads and you can peacefully enjoy your movie or TV shows!
What’s your thought on this? Will you still prefer to watch movies on OTT platforms or look for torrent alternatives like Piratebay or Movierulz or TamilRockers? Please let us know in the comments and don’t forget to share.
 was once an escape from ads and piracy. Now with paid ads, some wonder - was Movierulz era the lesser evil after all?){kind=link}