Disney+ cracks down on unauthorized account sharing
As of September 27, 2024, Disney+ has started implementing stricter measures to prevent unauthorized account sharing, initially rolling out in the United States and expanding to other regions worldwide. This decision follows a recent announcement made during a company earnings call, where Disney expressed its commitment to limit free access for users sharing accounts outside their households.
The newly introduced feature, called “Paid Sharing,” gives subscribers the option to add an “Extra Member” for an additional fee, though there are several restrictions attached.
How “Paid Sharing” works and its costs
Under this system, Disney+ subscribers can share their account with one individual outside their household, but only under certain conditions. For Disney+ Basic users, the cost of adding an “Extra Member” is $7 per month, while Disney+ Premium subscribers will be charged $10 monthly for this feature. This policy has also been extended to other regions, including Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and parts of Europe and Asia-Pacific.
Extra member option: affordable, but with limitations
While the “Extra Member” option provides a more affordable way to share an account compared to purchasing a separate subscription, it comes with notable limitations. The most significant restriction is that only one “Extra Member” can be added per account. This could be frustrating for users hoping to share access with multiple individuals outside their household.
Additionally, subscribers who have bundled services, such as the Disney Bundle, which combines Disney+ with other streaming platforms, are not eligible for the “Extra Member” option. Similarly, those paying for their subscriptions through Disney’s partners will not have access to this feature. According to the company’s announcement, these limitations are in place “for now,” with no indication of whether policies will change in the future.
Price hikes and the impact on users
These new restrictions coincide with recent price increases for Disney+ subscriptions. The cost of the Disney+ Basic plan is set to rise to $10 per month, while the Premium plan will climb to $16 per month. In this context, the “Extra Member” feature presents a more cost-effective alternative for those who prefer sharing access without paying for an entirely new account.
However, despite its lower price, the restrictions surrounding the “Extra Member” option may discourage certain users. For those unable to add more than one person or facing limitations due to bundled services, the changes could prompt them to either drop Disney+ or seek alternative ways to share accounts.
Disney+ follows Netflix’s lead in account sharing policies
By enforcing these new measures, Disney+ joins other streaming giants like Netflix, which has introduced similar policies to curb unauthorized account sharing. How users will react to these changes remains to be seen, and it’s possible Disney+ may further adjust its policies to make the “Extra Member” option more appealing in the future.
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