Password sharing is now strictly prohibited by Netflix, which charges an extra $7.99 per month for each additional user that lives outside of the subscriber’s household. This crackdown on password sharing has been announced by the well-known streaming service, and it will first be implemented in the US.
In an official statement, Netflix said: “Starting today, we will be sending this email to members who are sharing Netflix outside their household in the United States.”
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The company informed, “Everyone living in that household can use Netflix wherever they are — at home, on the go, on holiday — and take advantage of new features like Transfer Profile and Manage Access and Devices.”
Up to two extra users may be added by Netflix Premium subscribers who choose the 4K streaming option, however at an additional monthly fee of $7.99 each. For each additional subscription acquired, Netflix will charge £4.99 per month in the UK.
Currently, there is no possibility to add more members to the more basic options, Basic or Standard with Ads, which are priced at $9.99 and $6.99 per month, respectively.
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It’s important to remember that in February 2023, Netflix tested paid password-sharing in Canada, Portugal, New Zealand, and Spain.
“Paid sharing is another important initiative as widespread account sharing (over 100 million households) undermines our ability to invest in and improve Netflix for our paying members, as well as build our business,” the company added.
Reacting to the news, one viewer wrote, “@LinusTech “How do I tell my 78 year old Mom that she needs to start paying for her Netflix profile now that Netflix is cracking down on password sharing. It is my account, I have had it since 2005!”
Another added, “guys Netflix was serious about only devices in a household being able to watch stuff/no more password sharing… I can’t watch stuff on my profile on my moms account anymore.”
A third added, “Id like to think that if I had a teenage son I wouldnt feed off his blood. I might steal his Ritalin or his Netflix password tho.”
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Additionally, Netflix recently unveiled a more affordable, ad-supported tier in an effort to increase revenue. Both actions have been taken in response to Netflix reporting its first subscriber decline in more than a decade at the beginning of 2022.
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Across the board, media organisations have been looking for ways to turn streaming programmes into viable ventures, relying on strategies like content cost-cutting, advertising, and discovering additional ways to draw more users to their platforms.
It will be interesting to see how successful the password sharing concept will be and if the streaming giant will be able mint money.
(To read more such stories related to movies and shows released on OTTs, keep reading universo virtual BINGE)