Netflix announces changes that will block millions of viewers from the streaming service

Netflix, the streaming giant, has announced a slate of changes to the platform, and millions of users are set to be affected.

Password sharing

Less than one week ago, Netflix co-founder and CEO, Reed Hastings, announced he will be stepping down from his position giving way to a new leader and direction for the company.

This week, the company announced changes that are going to take place to the accounts which have shared Netflix using what was known as password sharing, Mirror reports.

Now, the streaming giant is poised to put an end to this form of enjoying the platform as it wants to limit an account to only one household.

Thecompany was already testing out a way to limit users sharing passwords and now in the announcement, it has said that the feature will be rolled out more widely.

According to Netflix, more than 100 million households have relied on password sharing and it has negatively affected the business:

Today’s widespread account sharing (100M+ households) undermines our long term ability to invest in and improve Netflix, as well as build our business.

Paid sharing

To offset the limitation, the company will soon be introducing a feature called ‘paid sharing’ that will enable users to pay an extra fee to share the account with others outside of their household.

The company has not revealed when this new feature will roll out and which areas will be affected but confirmed that this option will still be cheaper than the full subscription.

Express reports that Netflix has been working on new features on the platform as well, such as enabling users to monitor which devices are using the account:

We've worked hard to build additional new features that improve the Netflix experience, including the ability for members to review which devices are using their account and to transfer a profile to a new account.

In addition to the announced changes, Netflix has recently launched its cheapest plan of just £4.99 per month yet users have to put up with ads on the platform.

Sources used:

-Mirror: ‘Huge Netflix rule change will see millions of viewers blocked from streaming service

-Express: ‘Netflix confirms it will soon block millions from watching TV - are you affected?’