Netflix introduces password-sharing payment plan with “Add Home” feature in five countries

Netflix is ​​experimenting with a new method of paying profiteers who steal passwords. According to a Bloomberg report, the company is introducing a feature that allows customers to legitimately authorize access from a second home for an additional monthly fee in five Latin American countries. The “add a home” feature will be available on Netflix in Argentina, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras starting the following month.

Anyone in each additional home will then be able to stream Netflix on any device for less than a full standalone subscription, according to the report.

It comes after the streaming service launched a feature in March called “add an extra member” in Chile, Costa Rica and Peru that allows users to pay a monthly fee to grant access to Netflix to outsiders. at their home.

According to Netflix, users are sharing their login credentials with more than 100 million non-paying households worldwide, including more than 30 million in the United States and Canada, in violation of the company’s terms of service.

According to Chengyi Long, director of product innovation at Netflix, “widespread account sharing between households undermines our long-term ability to invest and improve our service.”

It will cost Netflix subscribers in the five new markets ARS 219 (approximately Rs. 140) per household per month in Argentina and $2.99 ​​(approximately Rs. 240) per household per month in the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Salvador and Guatemala to purchase an additional “home” for streaming access.

Customers with the basic plan can add an additional house; those on the Standard plan can purchase up to two additional homes, and Premium tier subscribers can purchase up to three additional homes.

Customers can add up to two Extra Member accounts for an additional $2-3 (around Rs 160-240) per month each when testing Netflix in Chile, Costa Rica and Peru.

Notably, rather than the actual walls of a home, Netflix’s password sharing policies apply to all members of a customer’s household. As an illustration, the company said paying customers can access Netflix while traveling.

On its customer support website, Netflix says it may sometimes ask you to verify your device “if you’re away from the Netflix household for an extended period of time.”

Netflix’s second quarter 2022 results are expected to be announced on Tuesday, July 19, after market close. The streamer previously predicted a net loss of 2 million subscribers worldwide, but some Wall Street analysts believe that number will be lower in the second quarter thanks to the success of Stranger Things 4, as Variety reports.

According to Wall Street firm Cowen’s projections, Netflix could boost its annual global revenue by $1.6 billion (about Rs. 12,800 crore) if it implements streaming upgrade plans everywhere. payment with shared password.

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