Megan Ellis / Android AuthorityAdd Android Authority on Google: TL;DR Major 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…