Netflix to possibly start charging users extra for sharing accounts

Netflix could possibly start charging users more if they intend to share their account beyond one household, the streaming service announced in a news release on Mar 16.

According to Netflix, while the separate profiles and multiple streams features in its Standard and Premium plans have been “hugely popular”, they have also “​​created some confusion about when and how Netflix can be shared”.

Netflix’s current terms of use state that the streaming service and any content accessed through the service are for one’s personal and non-commercial use only and may not be shared with individuals beyond their household.

As a result, accounts being shared between households have affected Netflix’s ability to “invest in great new TV and films for our members.”

“So for the last year we’ve been working on ways to enable members who share outside their household to do so easily and securely, while also paying a bit more,” it added.

Over the next few weeks, two new features will first be rolled out for users in Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru.

Standard and Premium plan members will be able to add a sub account for up to two people who don’t live in the same household. The users of the sub account will have their own profiles, logins and passwords for a lower price of 2,380CLP (S$4.03) in Chile, USD$2.99 (S$4.06) in Costa Rica, and 7.9PEN (S$2.89) in Peru. 

Additionally, members on Basic, Standard, and Premium plans will be able to transfer profile information to either a new account, or to an Extra Member sub account. Viewing history, My List, and personalised recommendations will all remain the same when making the transfer.

“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,” Netflix said.

Netflix came to Singapore in 2016 and has already undergone two price hikes, one in January 2020 and the other in October 2021.