Netflix has announced it will start to charge people who share accounts from next month onwards.
The streaming platform, which usually consists of one monthly subscription fee, is set to introduce a new 'add a home' feature in Argentina, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
Director of Product Innovation at Netflix, Chengyi Long, said in a statement: "Over the last 15 years, we’ve worked hard to build a streaming service that’s easy to use, including for people who travel or live together.
"It’s great that our members love Netflix movies and TV shows so much they want to share them more broadly.
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"But today’s widespread account sharing between households undermines our long term ability to invest in and improve our service."
She added: "So we’ve been carefully exploring different ways for people who want to share their account to pay a bit more. In March 2022, we launched an 'add extra member' feature in Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru.
"From next month, we will launch an alternative 'add a home' feature in Argentina, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras."
With regards to how the new 'add a home' feature will work, there will be one home per account, which means that each Netflix account, regardless of the payment plan, will include one home where you can stream Netflix on any of your devices.
There will also be the option to 'buy additional homes'.
Long explains: "To use your Netflix account in additional homes, we will ask you to pay an extra [219 Pesos per month per home in Argentina / $2.99 per month per home in the Dominican Republic / $2.99 per month per home in Honduras / $2.99 per month per home in El Salvador / $2.99 per month per home in Guatemala].
"Members on the Basic plan can add one extra home, Standard up to two extra, and Premium up to three extra."
The director also says that a 'travel' mode will also be included, while adding: "You can watch while outside the home on your tablet, laptop or mobile."
Notably, a new 'manage homes feature' will be introduced, which will allow users to be able to control where their account is being used, whilst maintaining the ability to remove any unwanted homes, at any time, via the settings.
Long concluded: "We value our members, and recognize that they have many entertainment choices.
"So we’re working hard to make great TV shows and films, and to be as thoughtful as possible about how we charge for use across multiple homes.
"We will not make changes in other countries until we better understand what’s easiest for our members."
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Topics: Netflix
Anish Vij