Netflix restricts account sharing and takes a risky bet

2023-05-24T14:30:27.939Z

Highlights: Sharing your Netflix access codes is no longer possible. The American video on demand giant announced Tuesday, May 23. This measure, already in place in some countries such as Canada, will now apply to a hundred others, including France. Some French subscribers have already received, this Wednesday, May 24 in the morning, an email announcing the color: "Your Netflix account is for you and for the people who live with you," we can read. For the 100 million users who benefit from an account paid by someone outside their home, two solutions are possible.

Sharing your Netflix access codes is no longer possible. The American video on demand giant announced Tuesday, May 23. This measure, already in place in some countries such as Canada, will apply...

Netflix restricts account sharing and takes a risky bet

Sharing your Netflix access codes is no longer possible. The American video on demand giant announced Tuesday, May 23. This measure, already in place in some countries such as Canada, will now apply to a hundred others, including France. If you use the account of someone you don't live with, you'll now have to pay extra.

Netflix, the American video on demand giant, announced Tuesday, May 23, 2023 to restrict the ability of users to share their access codes. AP - Richard Drew

Text by: Corentin Mittet-Magnan

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Taking advantage of your parents' or friends' account is over. Some French subscribers have already received, this Wednesday, May 24 in the morning, an email announcing the color: "Your Netflix account is for you and for the people who live with you," we can read.

For the 100 million users who benefit from an account paid by someone outside their home, two solutions are possible: take a subscription on their behalf, or ask the holder to pay an option of 6 euros per month and per additional user.

A daring maneuver in the face of competition

With 232 million subscribers worldwide, Netflix is still the market leader in video-on-demand, thanks to its hit series such as "The Crown" or "Stranger Things". The platform says it needs funding to produce more content and keep its place, account sharing representing a significant shortfall that affects its "ability to invest in great films and TV series," according to its explanation in February.

But it's a bit of a risky bet, while its competitors Disney+, Prime Video or HBO's Max still allow account sharing and user habits are changing. The daily time spent on social networks is increasing and approaching that spent on Netflix, including among adults.

To continue to gain subscribers, the Californian company launched at the end of 2022 a new cheaper formula, but including advertising. Five million users subscribed to it.

Netflix restricts account sharing and takes a risky bet

Netflix restricts account sharing and takes a risky bet

A daring maneuver in the face of competition

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