Ad-Free Means Ad-Free Act
Requires streaming services to honor ad-free subscriptions for at least a year or the full contract length, whichever is longer.
In the House Energy and Commerce Committee since Oct. 1, 2026, 4 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROOCT 1, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- SENATESENATE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Streaming services may offer subscriptions that promise no ads, but subscribers may later see ads. The bill would require the FTC to protect people who choose an ad-free option from added ads for at least a year or the full contract length, whichever is longer. It would also cover subscribers who cancel and re-enroll.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Protect ad-free subscriptions from added ads
The FTC would have to issue regulations prohibiting video streaming providers from advertising an option as ad-free and then adding ads during the longer of one year after the initial subscription date or the contract’s full length.
- Protect subscribers who re-enroll
If a subscriber cancels and then re-enrolls in an ad-free option, the provider could not add ads during the longer of one year after re-enrollment or the contract’s full length.
- Allow FTC enforcement
Violations would be treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the FTC Act, and the FTC would enforce the rules using its FTC Act powers. The prohibition would also apply when a streaming service is offered through a third party.
- Cover paid internet video services
The bill defines a video streaming service as an entity that makes video programming or other video content available to end users through a paid subscription and internet protocol.
The bill addresses whether subscribers can rely on an ad-free offer after signing up. The practical stake is whether providers can add ads during a protected period tied to the subscriber’s initial enrollment or contract.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedOCT 1, 2026HOUSEOCT 1, 2026By Rep. RileyReferred to Energy and Commerce
- SAME DAYNOWHouse committeeOCT 1, 2026ENERGY & COMMERCE NOWOCT 1, 2026In committee for 4 daysNo hearing yet
- 4 DAYS SO FARPassed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Senate committee—SENATE—
- Passed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- OCT 12026OCT 1, 2026REFERREDHOUSEReferred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- OCT 12026OCT 1, 2026INTRODUCEDHOUSEIntroduced in House
At day 4, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
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