Disney+ is set to crack down on password-sharing, with new policies rolling out as of November 1st in Canada and later in the U.S. Disney+ subscribers are receiving notifications that emphasize restrictions on sharing subscriptions beyond the primary user’s household.
The notice, according to Variety, also mentions that violating these terms could result in limited or terminated access to the service. This indicates that Disney+ might be introducing new sharing options within households, likely for an additional fee.
This move aligns with Disney’s strategy to monetize account freeloaders, a strategy outlined by Disney CEO Bob Iger earlier this year. The goal is to find ways for paying subscribers to share their accounts with friends and family while ensuring that non-household sharing comes at a cost.
Specific terms regarding these policies are expected to be included in updated subscriber agreements later this year.
Disney+ is following in the footsteps of Netflix, which introduced a “paid-sharing program” earlier this year in over 100 countries. This program encourages individuals to get their own accounts or add non-household users as “extra members.”
Netflix attributed its substantial subscriber growth to this program. While the company acknowledges the prevalence of password sharing, it sees it as a transitional situation.
Additionally, Disney+ is launching an ad-supported plan in Canada, the U.K., and eight European countries on November 1st, priced at $7.99 per month. Alongside these changes, Disney is raising prices for premium tiers of Disney+, Hulu (ad-free), and ESPN+ in the U.S., effective from October 1st.
Disney+ continues to evolve its offerings and policies as it seeks to maintain and expand its subscriber base, facing challenges such as password sharing and fluctuations in subscriber numbers.
