Last year, there were already rumors of a crackdown on password sharing: it would soon become a reality
Netflix, our most beloved streaming platform in recent years Rescued from the deadly quarantine boredomrequests from its users to return the favor. Already since last year he actually had it Announce the intention to introduce some innovations to discourage widespread practice Share the password to access the platform with people outside the family unit. That, and other factors – like Cancellation of many successful series – has led to greater Loss of subscribers Over the past decade, now is the time for the company to monetize account sharing as well.
The end of the interrogation, therefore, to More than 100 million families Which depended on paying user account. But what options are there for those who want to continue to rely on someone else’s account, and for how long will they be able to do so? Let’s see what plans are available and what pricing options we can expect this year.
The pressure on joint accounts is getting too close
After months of discussions, in which we also witnessed The resignation of the former CEO Historian Reed Hastings, Netflix is beginning to explain how to share a password. Also driven by pressure from competitors, after proliferation of broadcast platforms Owners in recent years, put A clear term for free sharing From password: March 2023.
At the same conference that Hastings handed over the baton to Peters and Sarandos, Netflix reassured shareholders that it was ready to move forward. Extension of already tested policies In countries such as Chile, Costa Rica and Peru. The business model that has been practiced so far is no longer profitable and sustainable:
Account sharing at scale (over 100 million households) undermines our long-term ability to invest in and improve Netflix, as well as grow our business.
While our Terms of Use limit Netflix use to a single household, we understand this is a change for members who share their account more broadly. “
What’s New: Is it still worth subscribing?
In addition to the classic Basic, Standard, and Premium plans — which some have deemed too pricey for the service offered — Netflix will offer new features to stem the expected opposition that will be triggered by push to share. After the test countries, the new features will be gradually extended all over the world:
“We’re ready to launch it this quarter. We’ll roll it out a little bit more spectacularly as we work on batches of countries. But we’ll really see that in the next couple of quarters.”
Paid password sharing
The biggest innovations made concerns, in fact, Sharing the password with “extra” users:
As we roll out paid sharing, subscribers in many countries will also have the option to pay extra if they want to share Netflix with people they don’t live with. “
How exactly will this work? It will include sharing with Child Accounts that are not part of the Family or Family Pay a small additional fee. The company has not yet explained exactly what it will cost to add additional users, but if it adopts the policy that has been tested in the test countries, this could amount to About a quarter of the price of the standard plan. We can therefore expect that the price will be around 3 euros per additional user.
service is able to Take over the home account Examine IP addresses, device IDs, and account activity from devices connected to that account. But how will Netflix “snatch out” freelance scalpers?
If your account will be constantly accessed from outside your household or from a device not associated with your account, Netflix will ask the primary owner to verify That request is already coming from there, by sending Verification code 4 digits to the email address or phone number associated with the main account, to be entered within 15 minutes.
Cheaper subscriptions with ads
Another test run in South American countries is the possibility to subscribe to a cheaper plan, with commercial breaks while you watch. This plan is called Base with advertisingavailable from November 2022 But it didn’t have the success Netflix expected Only 80% of expected viewers.
If you’re wondering if it’s possible to do a combination of these two new features, it’s very unlikely. Additional member pricing will only be available on the Standard and Premium plans, which allow more than one stream at a time. If Netflix complies with the standards applied in the tests, You will not be able to share the Basic Plan with Ads with other members.
While you’re waiting to hit the paid post to get to Italy too, we’d advise you Get well soon All series saved and then forgotten in my list.
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