Netflix paved the way a few weeks ago by turning on the end of password sharing between people in different households. Disney+ is following in its footsteps…
It’s the end of recess in the world of streaming. Disney+ is starting to enforce measures against password sharing, we learn Reuters. As we know, its main competitor and market leader Netflix has long been lenient with users sharing their accounts with friends or other family members.
But last year, the platform at N saw a decrease in the number of subscribers. In response to this slowdown, it decided to put in place strict measures to limit account sharing and relaunch subscriptions.
This initiative has proven to be successful, as evidenced by an increase in revenue, profit, and overall number of subscribers. This was confirmed by the platform’s latest quarterly report.
Since the implementation of these restrictions, the number of Netflix subscribers has seen a significant increase with 5.9 million new subscribers, bringing the total number of subscribers to 238.4 million.
Given this success with Netflix, it’s no surprise that Disney+ is exploring the possibility of enforcing stricter rules on password sharing.
With its different universes – Marvel, Star Wars… – and gondola heads such as Secret Invasion or soon Ahsoka, Disney+ is a platform that targets a very wide audience ranging from 7 to 77 years old, and already offers multiple profiles .
For now, Mickey’s platform is following a similar strategy to Netflix and initially focusing on Disney+ Hotstar, the India-distributed streaming service that serves as a guinea pig.
The choice of this country for this first test is not trivial. Disney, Netflix, Amazon and billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s JioCinema have become hugely popular in India, which is expected to become a $7 billion market for the industry by 2027, Media Partners Asia estimates.
And according to industry data, Disney+ Hotstar is the market leader in terms of users, with around 50 million people.
Netflix and Disney+, same fight
Indian streaming service Disney plans to start implementing a policy allowing its premium users to connect from just four devices, according to two insiders who told Reuters, while connections are currently at a standstill. possible up to 10 devices. No specific date is specified, this will be implemented later in the year.
The planned new restriction will also apply to its cheaper plan, which will limit usage to two devices, the second source added. “Some people will be encouraged to buy their own subscriptions with the new restrictions put in place“, said this person.
It is difficult to compare the strategy chosen in India with what could happen in France. In France, Disney+ only offers one subscription offer at €8.99 per month (or €89.90/year). Disney declined to comment to Reuters. Solicited by us, the French branch of the platform has not yet responded to our request.