Netflix to start testing a new sub-accounts feature that will prompt its users to pay an extra buck if they are sharing the account with people outside their family. The feature will allow users to add up to two sub-accounts for a fee that’s less than the cost of the full-priced Netflix service. Initially, the testing will take place in Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru, and then roll out into other markets.
Netflix’s standard and premium subscribers will be offered the sub-accounts feature
From the beginning of the launch, the standard and premium subscribers will be offered the option to add the subaccounts feature. The sub-accounts will also have their own Netflix login and password and if they choose to set up their own Netflix service in future, all the billing information, viewing history, watch list, and personalized recommendations will transfer over.
Chengyi Long, director of product innovation at Netflix, said; “We’ve always made it easy for people who live together to share their Netflix account, with features like separate profiles and multiple streams in our Standard and Premium plans.” It further added; “While these have been hugely popular, they have also created some confusion about when and how Netflix can be shared. As a result, accounts are being shared between households – impacting our ability to invest in great new TV and films for our members.”
The extra cost
The extra cost for the non-family members in the test markets is 2,380 CLP in Chile, USD 2.99 in Costa Rica and 7.9 PEN in Peru. Netflix notes that the extra members won’t be paying for their account separately as the bill still goes to the main account holder. Netflix had roughly 222 million subscribers at the end of last year—a figure that doesn’t include the countless others who access the streaming platform with someone else’s account.
Read more: Netflix Decides to Raise Prices for All its Packages
Source: Verge
