Netflix today announced it is rolling out paid sharing, also known as the Netflix crackdown on password sharing, to more countries, including Canada, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain. The company had previously tested paid sharing in some markets, including Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, and other parts of Latin America. It offers.
The news follows a leak about password restrictions made public earlier this month, following complaints from subscribers.
In the US, Netflix has quietly released details about its password sharing policy on its US help site, which was picked up by various news outlets, including The Streamable. The streamer quickly clarified that the guidelines were published by accident and that its policy for the United States had yet to be finalized, but the damage had already been done.
Across social media, Netflix subscribers expressed their outrage at the change and the immediate need to pay for extra people trying to move away from their accounts.
As many have rightly pointed out, this means sharing services with college kids, people whose families split plans but live in different locations or move between homes. It also penalizes people who travel for work and often sign in from locations other than their homes.
When paid sharing goes live, subscribers have several options. You can pay to add extra members to your account (CAD$7.99 per person per month in Canada, NZD$7.99 in New Zealand, €3.99 in Portugal, €5.99 in Spain). Otherwise, you can suggest members to get their own account and start the service. (Netflix offers a new “Transfer Profile” option for Mooch to get boot, which lets you move your viewing history, watchlists, and more to your new standalone account.)
Netflix subscribers were also upset about how travel restrictions would work under the new policy.
In a published rule, Netflix said subscribers must log into the Netflix app on their home network at least once every 31 days.
I can imagine how easy it is for you to run into this problem even if you are a main subscriber. For example, if you get a tablet that you don’t use often to watch on the plane, but forget to authorize it with Netflix before you leave, you may find you can’t access it. , suggests asking the main account holder to verify the device using the code. But it’s obviously a hassle.
Today, Netflix announced that members must set a primary location and that new[アクセスとデバイスの管理]We mentioned that you can control who can access your account from your page.Also, membersd “It’s easy to watch Netflix on your personal device” When you travel or log in to your new TV at a hotel, Airbnb, etc.
However, this post did not specifically address the 31-day certification rule concerns. But Netflix says that a frequent traveler or someone who has a different home can actually see his once a month when connecting to his Wi-Fi at home at his home address. , Mobile said he should open the Netflix app on his device. They arrive at the second location.
The company noted that this is no different from how Hulu with Live TV works, but it’s a bit of an unfair comparison. . Local sports networks are determined and limited by the user’s home location. Local affiliate networks are also location-based.
Netflix subscribers understand that this change is more about grabbing money than anything else. And over the years, much more permissive password policies have been enforced. Back in 2016, Netflix’s then-CEO Reed Hastings characterized password sharing as a “positive thing” and even a “great marketing tool.”
Perhaps the ‘transfer profile’ feature itself may have gradually pulled subscribers away from shared accounts.
When these members set up their own Netflix accounts, Netflix has expanded its subscriber base. But it’s a risky bet in today’s world of competitive streaming, ad-supported videos and free streaming on FAST channels. Last year, Netflix lost subscribers for the first time in a decade and then reported its biggest quarterly loss ever. Since then, things have turned around in the most recent quarter, but its failure or success will forever rest on the next big hit.
“We care about our members and know they have many entertainment options,” the company wrote in a blog post today. As always, we will continue to improve Netflix by refining these new features based on member feedback.”
The company also shared details of their plans and the number of additional members allowed per plan, as shown in the chart below.
Image credit: netflix
