Business & Tech
Netflix Tests Charging More For Account Moochers In 3 Countries
Netflix says it's testing a change that would prevent accounts from being shared between households.
LOS GATOS, CA — The days of mooching off someone's Netflix account could be numbered.
In a statement posted on its website Wednesday, the streaming giant said it wised up to what everyone already knew — "accounts are being shared between households." And while mom and dad may have turned a blind eye for years, Netflix — which raked in about $30 billion in revenue last year — definitely isn't anymore.
Illicit account sharing is, the company said, hindering its "ability to invest in great new TV and films."
Find out what's happening in Los Gatosfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Rather than ground subscribers for bad behavior, Netflix said it's rolling out a test feature in Chile, Costa Rica and Peru that will allow members on standard and premium plans to add sub accounts for up to two people who live elsewhere. As you may have guessed, it will cost more money.
- 2,380 CLP in Chile ($2.98)
- $2.99 in Costa Rica
- 7.9 PEN in Peru ($2.12)
Members on basic, standard and premium plans will be able to allow people who share their account to transfer profile information either to a new account or a sub account, which will keep their viewing history, list of things to watch and personalized recommendations.
Find out what's happening in Los Gatosfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"We recognize that people have many entertainment choices, so we want to ensure any new features are flexible and useful for members, whose subscriptions fund all our great TV and films," Netflix said. "We’ll be working to understand the utility of these two features for members in these three countries before making changes anywhere else in the world."
The change comes after Netflix announced price hikes in the U.S. and Canada this year. Standard plans were to rise from $13.99 a month to $15.49. A premium subscription was to rise from about $18 to $19.99 a month.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the move was widely derided on social media.
"Netflix trying their best to lose subscribers," tweeted @kirawontmiss.
"I will soon launch a test where if Netflix does this I cancel the service," tweeted @ostonox.
"Well, HBO it is then," tweeted @Used_2B_Sane.
"But they just raised my rate for exactly this reason. Isn’t that enough Netflix?" tweeted @TerryJohnsonMA.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
