I assume they mean ads for other shows on the same platform(at least Netflix and Prime Video do this), which in my experience not everyone sees as "ads" in that sense(I still do myself).

* Some of these platforms have cheaper tiers that are ad-supported.

* All of these platforms favor algorithmic recommendations (which are ads) over your personal content queue.

* A lot of content on Prime forces you to watch an ad of new Prime content before your show starts.

* Some of these platforms have auto-playing previews that distract you while you are navigating. Sometimes you can disable them, sometimes you can't. Sometimes the setting resets itself. These are ads.

Good points about algorithm and auto play.

I'd add that if one has (permanent) control of the recommendation and auto playing then they're less like ads and more tools. Especially if they are opt in.

Then you're paying at a higher tier.

Incorrect.

Surely you could provide at least some details? Have you personally seen ads on those services, for example?

I have seen ads on those services when paying for their cheapest paid tier.

Yet one is still paying fiat and getting ads. And for Prime I always saw ads no matter how much I paid. Perhaps that's changing with their new tier.