Gone are the days when you could scrounge off your friend’s Netflix account to binge-watch the latest series, as Netflix is cracking down on password sharers.
The company is planning on bringing out a new feature, which they have already begun testing in certain countries, that prevents users from sharing their accounts with other households.
However, they won’t leave you high and dry, as the streaming site has come up with a cost-effective alternative – the paid sharing plan. This will be rolled out as a way to soften the blow on its “100+ million” users who were previously benefiting from sharing accounts.
It will be a middle ground for users, more expensive than a single subscription, but cheaper than separate accounts.
Confirming the news, Netflix said: “Later in Q1, we expect to start rolling out paid sharing more broadly. Today’s widespread account sharing (100M+ households) undermines our long term ability to invest in and improve Netflix, as well as build our business.”
Netflix understands that this change might not be welcomed by everyone, and as such is taking steps to make the transition easier. Features like easy profile transfer, and being able to keep track of devices being used on an account are just some of the ways they are attempting to improve the experience.
“While our terms of use limit use of Netflix to a household, we recognise this is a change for members who share their account more broadly,” the streaming service said.
“So we’ve worked hard to build additional new features that improve the Netflix experience, including the ability for members to review which devices are using their account and to transfer a profile to a new account. As we roll out paid sharing, members in many countries will also have the option to pay extra if they want to share Netflix with people they don’t live with. As is the case today, all members will be able to watch while traveling, whether on a TV or mobile device.”
But they added that with more money coming in, the quality of the shows provided will also improve.
They continued: “We believe the pattern will be similar to what we’ve seen in Latin America, with engagement growing over time as we continue to deliver a great slate of programming and borrowers sign-up for their own accounts.”
After hearing the news, many fans took to social media to share their thoughts, and with Netflix not being in everyone’s good books at the minute due to them canceling several hit shows, this latest update proved to be the last straw for some subscribers.
One wrote: “Netflix literally sabotaging themselves by banning password sharing, raising prices, and making sure no one f***ing watches their new shows because we know they’re just gonna be canceled……… it’s incredible. I hope they go bankrupt.”
While another commented: “If @netflix thinks for one second the people won’t cancel their subscriptions over this password sharing garbage, they clearly don’t understand how pirating or DVDs work. All you have is Seinfeld. And don’t worry, I’ll be watching stranger things 5 ILLEGALLY.”
“Between ending password sharing and canceling literally every show worth watching, I rly don’t see the point in using Netflix anymore???” a third said.
