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Crunchyroll to End Free Ad-Supported Streaming on Dec. 31, Requiring Paid Plans in 2026

An in-player notice alerted users to the shift, with listed plan prices unchanged for now.

Overview

  • Ad-supported viewing ends December 31, 2025, and access will require a paid subscription starting January 1, 2026.
  • Users reported an on-player message urging upgrades, with the notice first circulating via Reddit posts.
  • Crunchyroll’s paid tiers remain Fan ($7.99/month), Mega Fan ($11.99/month), and Ultimate Fan ($15.99/month) as currently listed.
  • The decision caps years of reductions to free access, including the removal of free simulcasts in 2022.
  • Mashable said the company did not respond to requests for comment before publication, and coverage notes the shift tracks broader moves away from free tiers after last year’s price increases.