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.
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.
Yes, if you pick the ad supported discount you see ads. Choosing to get a discount is not the same as the original claim that you’d still get ads even if you paid.
YouTube as well, from the end-user perspective. I understand that there is a distinction between sponsor segments and preroll/midroll ads, but at the end of the day it’s all ads and paying for YouTube doesn’t get rid of all the ads.
That’s due to ad blocking: it doesn’t make creators not want to make rent, it just means more ads in the content and things like sponsor products being woven into the content. Worse for everyone but people are going to chase money if their income declines.