Looking for a great free streaming service? Do you still think of Plex as just a way to manage the content or stream video from your PC? If so, you are missing out on a ton of great free content. Plex now offers a huge collection of movies and TV shows for free.
Now though Plex is struggling with the recent downturn in advertising that is affecting all services that run on ads to make their revenue. Because of that, Plex has reportedly laid off 37 people this week a number that represents more than 20 percent of its staff, according to The Verge.
Recently advertisers have pulled back on ad spending, dropping the revenue for many sites and streaming services. Add in the fact that there are now more places than ever to advertise on, and that has also pushed down the ad revenue for many services. Over the last few years, Netflix, Disney+, and more have all launched ad-supported streaming services. This has all resulted in a drop in revenue for many streaming services, both free and ad-supported.
Plex reportedly wants to be back in the cash flow positive range over the next 18 months. To do that, part of their plan is to cut staffing costs to help reach profitability once again.
For cord cutters right now, you shouldn’t notice any change, but the drop in ad revenue will likely continue to impact a growing number of streaming services.
Plex was first formed back in 2009 as a media service company. In 2019 it launched a free ad-supported service that has quickly become very popular with cord cutters.
Plex is based in Los Gatos, California and is a private company. Plex currently offers thousands of movies and TV shows on-demand along with hundreds of live free channels for cord cutters.