Amendments to paid membership rights iQIYI "error correction"? [Optimization of projection resolution is only for current paid users and the number of member login devices is adjusted to 5 and there is no limit to the type]
On February 20th, iQIYI announced the modification of some paying user rights and interests. On the one hand, it resumed the 720P and 1080P resolution screencasting services for existing gold members; Log in on 5 devices, no longer limit the types of devices you log in to, and there is no limit to the types of devices that can be played at the same time, only the number of 2 to 3 devices.
As of press time, neither Youku nor Tencent Video has followed up.
Experts said that the industry not only needs self-discipline, but also needs to introduce corresponding unified norms to restrain platform behavior.
Has been sued for projection clarity
Recently, there have been endless doubts about long video members. Beijing Youth Daily once published "The chaos of long video platforms has been complained by netizens repeatedly, and Matryoshka-style members have been accused of pulling consumers' wool", "There are more and more types, and membership fees are getting more and more expensive. The rights and interests are getting less and less, behind the long video platform's fancy harvesting routines" and other series of reports, revealing the secrets behind the long video membership fees.
iQIYI's resumption of member projection clarity service may be related to a user's lawsuit.
A 7-year member of iQiyi said that he could choose any resolution when using it before, but on January 11, 2023, he suddenly discovered that iQiyi limited the resolution of gold VIP members to 480P. For higher resolution, you must upgrade to a higher-level membership.
In this regard, he believes that iQiyi unilaterally changed the terms of the contract, which has constituted a breach of contract.
The user stated that he did not ask for civil compensation, but only asked iQiyi not to limit the clarity of the projection screen in any way during the membership period.
The user therefore took iQiyi to court, and the Beijing Internet Court filed the case on January 29.
Another user reported that on February 2 this year, logging in with three devices at the same time would lead to a ban, and to unblock it, you need to recharge a more expensive member.
After asking the customer service of iQIYI, it said that there is no need to recharge more expensive members to unblock it. This accident was due to technical reasons that caused some users to jump to the wrong page when they clicked on the unblocking page, but this statement Dissatisfied with users.
iQIYI Optimizes Member Services
In view of the restrictions on the resolution of members' screen projection and the number of login devices, iQIYI will resume the screen projection service of 720P and 1080P resolution for iQIYI Gold VIP members who are still in the subscription state on February 20, 2023. Seasonal/annual card members can use it until the end of this order; continuous monthly/seasonal/annual subscription members can continue to use it if they continue to subscribe.
In terms of the number of login devices, starting from February 20, 2023, iQIYI Gold, Platinum, and Star Diamond VIP members can log in on 5 devices. Restricted types, that is, gold VIP members (mobile phone/computer/tablet computer) any 2 sets; platinum VIP members (mobile phone/computer/tablet computer/television, etc.) /VR, etc.) Any 3 units.
When the number of playback devices reaches the upper limit, the system will prompt the user to select the desired playback device.
If the account is locked due to security risks such as abnormal IP addresses, the user can unlock it by changing the password.
It can be seen that the screen projection definition optimization mentioned in the statement is only for current paid users, and subsequent new member users will not be able to enjoy the same services.
In addition, iQIYI has not made any improvements in response to the problems reported by users at home and abroad that limit the dual-standard HDMI connection playback function, and members can watch exclusive advertisements.
Neither Tencent nor Youku followed up
However, as of the press release of Beiqing Daily, Tencent Video and Youku have not followed up on this.
In fact, each platform has restrictions on the above two aspects, and "title title" is a management method that will be used at any time.
For example, Youku stated that it has changed the member login rules on December 20, 2022. The purpose of this move is to protect the security of user accounts and crack down on black and gray products. 3 devices, including 1 mobile terminal, 1 Pad terminal, 3 TV terminals, 1 computer, web page, car and others.
Tencent Video stated that the same Tencent Video VIP account is only allowed to be used on a maximum of 5 devices, and the same Tencent Video VIP account can be viewed on up to 2 devices at the same time.
Super Video SVIP can be used on up to 8 devices, and can be watched on up to 3 devices at the same time (WeChat channels can only log in to 1 account at the same time).
According to the Tencent Video account protection rules, if the account is used beyond the above scope, the account will be automatically banned once verified by the system.
If you receive an account ban reminder or have been banned, please log out of the non-personal device or change the account password as soon as possible to avoid the account being banned or banned again.
The time for the first time to be banned is 30 minutes, and the unblocking methods include: unblock immediately after verification of the mobile phone number; non-SVIP users can open SVIP immediately; wait for the unblock time to automatically unblock.
The second time the ban was extended to one day, and the third time it was extended to seven days.
The same account has been blocked multiple times after being unblocked. After the system verifies, Tencent will take measures such as permanent sealing of the account according to the platform rules and related agreements, and has the right to withdraw the VIP qualification of the account.
In terms of screen casting, Youku also increased restrictions last year, and large screen casting has become an exclusive member function.
Users reported that during the casting process of some episodes, the words "Try watching for 6 minutes, upgrade to Kumeow VIP to watch the whole episode" will be prompted.
Its user agreement stipulates: "Youku VIP membership service can be used on mobile phones, tablets, and computers, but not on TVs." If you need to upgrade your TV membership, you need to open a 488 yuan per year Kumeow membership.
expert opinion
Ensuring the steady development of the platform requires a combination of self-discipline and heteronomy
"iQiyi's revision of the membership agreement this time must have something to do with the long video platform's adjustment of the rights and interests of screen projection and multi-device login, which caused a lot of dissatisfaction among users. Therefore, iQiyi's initiative to adjust the relevant membership rights is also a For the consideration of its own brand reputation. As a leading long video platform, it takes the lead in adjusting membership rights, at least iQiyi has a good reputation of taking the lead in reform and daring to admit mistakes." Senior industrial economic analyst, founder of Ding Technology Major General Ding told the Beijing Youth Daily reporter.
Pan Helin, co-director and researcher of the Digital Economy and Financial Innovation Research Center of Zhejiang University's International Joint Business School, believes that the long video platform should give some compensation to previously blocked users.
"Compensation should be given, or consumers' dissatisfaction should be dealt with in a timely manner. Video platforms must have a sense of service, and cannot always wait until consumers complain, and adopt 'passive' error correction. In order to accumulate word of mouth, there is no harm in doing more things."
Experts have called on the industry to not only need self-discipline, but also need to introduce corresponding unified norms to restrain platform behavior.
"Long video platforms need to develop in a standardized way. In fact, any platform or transaction model should be a way of combining self-discipline and heteronomy to ensure its steady development. If it only relies on its self-discipline like now, it will When the overall cost of the company is higher than the profit income and long-term losses, it is unrealistic for it to rely on self-discipline to improve the user experience and protect the reasonable rights and interests of users.” Major General Ding said.
"Especially as a commercial company, profit-seeking is its natural action, especially in the case of losses, its marketing actions will naturally be deformed. Therefore, the 'heteronomy' is very important, then including the industry associations of competent departments, Consumer organizations have even introduced some measures, policies and regulations, etc. Of course, we must listen to the opinions of consumers, and we must jointly form a model that combines self-discipline and heteronomy to ensure the healthy and sustainable development of the long-form video industry.”
Pan Helin said: "If consumers agree, 5+2 (device login restrictions) can be developed into a unified specification in the future, which can also meet the needs of most families at this stage, but this kind of quantity limitation also needs to be fully communicated with consumers. , because with the development of the economy, home playback terminals are increasing, and an appropriate increase in equipment will help the platform to gain more user increments.”
This group article/Reporter Wen Jing
Intern Angel
Coordinator/Chi Haibo
"Beijing Youth Daily" February 21, 2023, page A06