We are all very much living in the streaming era where everybody requires multiple monthly subscriptions to make sure we don’t miss out on the latest TV series, new and classic blockbuster films, and live sports events. But soon it appears that Disney+ will join Netflix in cracking down on subscribers who share their account and password with friends and family – and it will end up costing you more.
Disney’s chief financial officer Hugh Johnston said recently that Disney+ users “suspected of improper sharing” will soon see an option to sign up for their own subscription, as reported by The Verge.
So, if you currently are logged into Disney+ using a friend or family member’s account, soon Disney hopes to roll out tech that will spot this and prompt you to sign up for your own subscription while blocking you from using the one you’re logged into. It sounds similar to Netflix getting tough on account sharing by analysing where devices are logged in to a certain account, and sometimes requiring you to sign into the account holder’s designated home Wi-Fi network.
If you don’t live in the same house this could be impossible, therefore blocking you from using their Netflix account. The same technology could be used to stop Disney+ password sharing.
Disney said you will be able to add extras users to your Disney+ account for an “additional fee”, but did not reveal the cost. Subscribers to Netflix’s Standard or Premium tiers can add additional users for £4.99 per person, but you can’t do this with the £4.99 ad-supported tier.
Disney+ currently charges £4.99 per month with ads, £7.99 without ads, and £10.99 for a premium tier with more features. Every payment plan does get you full access to Dinsey+’s extensive library of content though, with series such as The Bear and Loki, and old favourites such as Arrested Development and Grey’s Anatomy.
The media giant also owns the rights to Marvel shows and films, plus The Simpsons and Star Wars.
CFO Johnson was quite transparent in this move being to boost user numbers and Disney’s profits from Disney+ as streaming services find new ways to stop you sharing your password.
“We want to reach as large an audience as possible with our outstanding content,” Johnston said. “We’re looking forward to rolling out this new functionality to improve the overall customer experience and grow our subscriber base.”
