Netflix trials new add-on profiles to share your account for a small fee
It looks like Netflix is clamping down on password sharers, and is trialling two new features to legitimately share your account.
If you’ve got a Netflix account (and who hasn’t these days), chances are you’ve shared the login with someone. Just a cheeky little watch here and there; the modern-day equivalent of borrowing a cup of sugar. It’s undeniable that it makes sense, but Netflix doesn’t like it.
Until now, Netflix has published terms and conditions that could ban or suspend viewers for such neighbourly sharing. But Netflix is currently trialling a new add-on accounts package that would let you legitimately share your account for a small fee.
The feature, currently being tested as “Add an Extra Member” in Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru, would allow Standard and Premium plan subscribers to set up add-on accounts for people at different addresses. You could share add-on accounts with up to two members at that address.
Not only can you share an account, but the add-on members will get their own ID, password, profile, list, history, and recommendations. Sounds handy, right? But there’s a catch.
Cough up or get out: How Netflix’s new fees might work
The platform’s “Add an Extra Member” feature would come with a $2.99 price hike as well (that’s not very neighbourly, is it?). With Netflix’s recent price hike, that means you could be paying around £17.99 for a Premium plan with add-on members.
In a more recent trial in Argentina, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, the streamer has toyed around with an “Add a Home” feature instead. For the same $2.99 extra charge, viewers can add an entire household instead of just an account. Those on the basic plan would be able to add one household, those on the standard get two, and those on the premium get three whole extra households. We can see this being the more favourable option, should Netflix go ahead with these plans.
Paying £17.99 per month for essentially two Netflix accounts, is better than paying £15.99 twice (a much higher £31.98). If you’re splitting the cost between two parties as well, things start to get much more reasonable. Splitting it 50/50 with your friends or family, you could get a Premium plan for just £7.99. It’s a much better a deal for new members. Why set up your own account, when you can be added on for a smaller fee?
Netflix is trialling these new features because it claims the loss of money from account sharing is causing problems budgeting for new content. With the $2.99 surcharge, Netflix has some extra pennies in its pocket, and we can benefit from cheaper Netflix prices (if you have a friend). It’s a win-win-win scenario.
Currently, both versions of this feature are only being trialled. If they prove successful, the streaming giant could roll out one of them worldwide. Of course, it might not, and the price is also subject to change. But our fingers are crossed!
Connor Jewiss
