Following Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar Also Stops People From Sharing Passwords
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In a move echoing Netflix 's recent actions, Disney+ Hotstar has stepped up its efforts to combat password sharing , signalling a shift in the streaming industry's landscape. Starting November 1, 2023, Disney+ Hotstar is set to implement stringent measures to curb password sharing amongst its user base, beginning with the Canadian market.
The company has already dispatched emails to its subscribers, notifying them of these forthcoming changes and issuing a stern prohibition against the sharing of account credentials. What sets Disney+ Hotstar apart in this endeavour is its unwavering commitment to enforcing these new regulations, going so far as to threaten account restrictions or terminations for those who defy the rules.
To facilitate the enforcement of these regulations, Disney+ Hotstar has devised a system to discern eligible users within an account. This system is rooted in the concept of a "household," which will specify who is authorized to access content within the relevant profile.
The issue of password sharing has long plagued the streaming industry, diverting potential paying customers away from subscription models. With Disney+ CEO Bob Iger now at the helm, the platform is ushering in a new era of strict adherence to these guidelines. This strategic shift underscores Disney+'s dedication to incentivizing more users to become paying subscribers rather than relying on a friend's membership.
The term "household" is expected to encompass individuals or devices sharing the same IP address , granting Disney+ Hotstar the technical capability to monitor the platform's usage more closely. In Western markets, users may even have the option to pay an additional fee to extend access to their friends.
While Disney+ Hotstar is laying the groundwork for these enforcement measures, the big question remains: Will the company roll out similar regulations in regions where it currently offers a freemium plan, allowing users access to content on their mobile devices, as seen in the case of India? While it's premature to make a definitive statement, the precedent set by Netflix's own efforts to curb password sharing in the nation suggests that other streaming platforms may soon follow suit.
The company has already dispatched emails to its subscribers, notifying them of these forthcoming changes and issuing a stern prohibition against the sharing of account credentials. What sets Disney+ Hotstar apart in this endeavour is its unwavering commitment to enforcing these new regulations, going so far as to threaten account restrictions or terminations for those who defy the rules.
To facilitate the enforcement of these regulations, Disney+ Hotstar has devised a system to discern eligible users within an account. This system is rooted in the concept of a "household," which will specify who is authorized to access content within the relevant profile.
The issue of password sharing has long plagued the streaming industry, diverting potential paying customers away from subscription models. With Disney+ CEO Bob Iger now at the helm, the platform is ushering in a new era of strict adherence to these guidelines. This strategic shift underscores Disney+'s dedication to incentivizing more users to become paying subscribers rather than relying on a friend's membership.
The term "household" is expected to encompass individuals or devices sharing the same IP address , granting Disney+ Hotstar the technical capability to monitor the platform's usage more closely. In Western markets, users may even have the option to pay an additional fee to extend access to their friends.
While Disney+ Hotstar is laying the groundwork for these enforcement measures, the big question remains: Will the company roll out similar regulations in regions where it currently offers a freemium plan, allowing users access to content on their mobile devices, as seen in the case of India? While it's premature to make a definitive statement, the precedent set by Netflix's own efforts to curb password sharing in the nation suggests that other streaming platforms may soon follow suit.
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