I still think you shouldn't have video ads in a paid streaming service. Even if it's just a single ad during a watch session. It shouldn't be there when you're paying to see the content
Here in the UK, I feel like a similar thing happened with cable/satellite. Originally, Sky TV was completely free. They only had 4 channels (and one of them was only kinda sky) mind you. But they were all free (with adverts). Later they brought in encryption and a subscription for the movie channel.
I am quite sure I recall seeing one of the rationales for when they started the subscription service covering the non movie channel, it was stated that there would be less or no advertising and it would instead be covered by the subscription. Needless to say, that never happened.
But ultimately, this is just normal business practice. If they can get away with charging you AND making money from ad views, they're going to do it. The only way to stop it, is not to subscribe to those that do it.
It happened on 2 episodes in a row, with over a minite wait until the episode. Both times the same ad, which makes it even worse, for a 20 min episode of lower decks. I'm sensitive to commercials when I'm already paying premium.
I definitely feel the hatred towards all things ads, I would probably cancel as well if I was in your position. Fortunately 1 ad per session is the rare exception to my ad free viewing (and I did curse quite a bit at that ad, whatever it was for)
What country are you in because I just turned it on and tried to play an episode of lower decks, and I don't get any ads, so I'm wondering if it's only in some parts of the world.
I have a subscription in the US and have been watching Picard and Lower Decks -- the few ads I get are their up front spam promoting other shows (I hit reload and the 'forced' up front ad switches to the CBS logo and plays in a couple of secs). Another show I watch has a few ads, I think the are trying to see how much they can get away with before people cancel. I bought a year at 1/2 price and I won't be reupping, its a pretty low value and quality streaming service on all fronts (ads, content, video quality, app/site navigation and player, absolutely no useful technical support if their player or service is glitching, cable company class customer avoidance policies and systems).
The video quality on easynews is also much better should I want to watch more star trek in the future.