Disney Plus will begin password-sharing crackdown this June
Disney Plus subscribers are facing potential changes to their streaming habits as Disney has set a June 2024 deadline to implement password-sharing restrictions for its 150 million users.
This news is particularly relevant for those who share their Disney Plus login with friends or family outside their immediate household.
Disney had kickstarted the password-sharing restriction for new users since November last year, but will now be expanding these restrictions to existing users on its streaming service.
According to CEO Bob Iger, "just a few countries" will be affected starting in June, with a wider rollout expected to impact all subscribers globally by September. Iger noted that the move aims to turn streaming into a more profitable business for the company.
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This mirrors a similar move by Netflix in 2023. Netflix offered an additional account option for a fee, allowing users to share their subscriptions with an extra person outside their household. While some initial subscriber backlash occurred, Netflix ultimately reported increased revenue and subscriber growth after the change.
Disney seems to be taking a similar approach, even though specifics are still unclear. With the June deadline approaching, Disney Plus subscribers who share their accounts should prepare for potential changes and consider discussing alternative arrangements with those who rely on their access.
If there is an observed subscriber growth from Disney's approach to the password crackdown, it's conceivable that other streaming services such as Prime Video and Max would follow suit, and we will all be paying a high price for it.