Netflix leechers have less than two months to make their own account.
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After that, a "paid sharing" fee will be applied to any content streamed from the service outside an account holder's house.
"Paid sharing is another important initiative as widespread account sharing in [more than 100 million households] undermines our ability to invest in and improve Netflix for our paying members, as well as build our business," Netflix first quarter 2023 shareholder letter said.
The paid sharing rollout has aged a company tweet badly, with Netflix saying "Love is sharing a password" in 2017.
Maybe in 2023, love is paying a small fee.
New sharing rules
Netflix is paying close attention to the devices connected to an account, and they're not happy about password sharing.
They're hoping to encourage users to start their own accounts, and stop using their parent's or ex's login.
Netflix's crackdown plan includes blocking sign-ins from devices outside the account holder's WIFI range.
But a small fee will let users log in from other locations - Australia's "additional home" fee has not been announced.
Exemptions can be made for customers taking their accounts on holiday. Streamers can ask for a temporary code to watch Netflix on another device.
But the streaming service warns they'll keep a close eye on the system.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Paid sharing international rollout
Netflix said they'll start a "broad rollout" for paid sharing around the world after a successful trial ran in Argentina, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.
The streaming service started charging for "additional homes" in early international tests starting from July 2022.
Netflix said they're also pleased with the roll out of sharing restrictions in Canada, New Zealand, Spain and Portugal, saying the move strengthened their confidence they have the "right approach".
"As with Latin America, we see a cancel reaction in each market when we announce the news," the shareholder letter said.
"But as borrowers start to activate their own accounts and existing members add 'extra member' accounts, we see increased acquisition and revenue."
The fee for adding extra homes changed between countries, but didn't cost more than USD$2.99 ($4.44) in any trial nations.
Anna Houlahan
Anna Houlahan is a journalist for the Courier, dedicated to uncovering the stories that shape the city. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
