Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max joins the password-sharing crackdown

The password sharing crackdown has come for Max users.

On Tuesdays, the streaming service owned by Warner Bros. Discovery announced that it will offer users the ability to include friends and family living outside the home as part of their subscription plan.

Max offers an option where each subscription account can include an additional individual residing outside of the household for a monthly fee of $7.99, provided they are from the same country.

Streaming platforms are exploring methods to boost profitability while continuously expanding their content libraries. Max Streams currently hosts critically praised series like HBO’s “The White Lotus” and “The Last of Us.”

Streamers want to make more money, so they’re adding new shows. Max Streams has popular HBO shows such as “The White Lotus” and “The Last of Us.

Popular Max originals include “Hacks” and “The Pitt.”

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In 2024, it’s anticipated that password theft and shared accounts will result in a loss of approximately $12.5 billion for streaming platforms and pay TV service providers, as per Parks Associates’ predictions.

JB Perrette, head of Warner Bros Discovery’s worldwide streaming service, stated that this choice aims to provide viewers with a fresh method to savor our top-tier content at an unbeatable price, while also allowing subscribers more control over their account management.

In general, the terms of use for streaming platforms typically restrict password sharing to household members. However, as the competition among streaming services increased (also known as the “streaming wars”), it was found that many individuals were sharing their passwords with partners, parents, and adult children who do not reside with them.

Initially, numerous broadcasters prioritized expansion and amassing large viewer bases for their content, showing a certain leniency towards password-sharing practices. However, as financial backers intensified demands for higher earnings, companies such as Netflix started adopting stricter stances.

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As a movie lover who’s always glued to Netflix, I’ve got some news that might affect your binge-watching routine. They’re sending out emails to U.S. users, letting us know they plan to charge an additional $7.99 per month for the privilege of having folks outside our households stream from our accounts.

Netflix has excelled in allowing existing subscribers to include additional family members or friends on their current plan, a strategy that significantly increased the company’s earnings based in Los Gatos.

Netflix initially rolled out this feature in certain international regions prior to its U.S. debut in 2023. In the preceding year, they estimated that over 100 million households without a subscription were utilizing their service. Following suit in 2024, Disney+ and Hulu began enforcing stricter password sharing policies, introducing a similar option for their customers.

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2025-04-23 19:31

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