TL;DRMajor US streaming services increased their average ad loads by 18% between January and August 2026.Netflix recorded a 74% increase but still shows the fewest ads, while Paramount+ leads with over nine minutes per hour.Prime Video was the only major streaming service to reduce its ad load during the period.No, you’re not imagining things — streaming services are now actually showing you more ads than they used to earlier in the year.With ads in streaming, what started out as a free-to-watch model from Hulu has since transitioned into a cheaper alternative offered by almost every major streaming service. Netflix launched its first ad-supported tier in late 2022, and other services like Disney+, Prime Video, HBO Max, Paramount+, and more were quick to follow. Out of all those, only one platform currently shows fewer ads than it used to earlier in the year.