Netflix password crackdown has actually caused a growth in Subscriptions

majestictechie@lemmy.fosshost.com to Technology@lemmy.world – 180 points –
Netflix password crackdown fuels subscriber surge
bbc.co.uk

I feel like other streaming platforms will follow the same process as they've proven it's worked.

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I hated the crackdown but resisting on “principles” is bizarre to me. I left Reddit and Twitter due to principles. Netflix wanting to get paid for their service and content is reasonable. Wanting a business to serve you up free entertainment with no catch?

Also before anyone tries to claim hypocrisy - The difference between that and Twitter/Reddit is myself and the community create the content and are forcefed ads.

Netflix wanting to get paid for their service and content is reasonable.

Sure, it's reasonable, and why I started subscribing in the first place. But if I pay for four screens, I expect to be able to use all of those four screens, no matter what address they are being viewed from.

You’re not paying for that though. The terms of service have never allowed giving other people your details and letting people outside your household use your account.

Also you can still use 4 devices no matter where you are - mobile devices and tablets and laptops are not IP restricted.

Netflix started out encouraging password sharing, even promoted it on Twitter back in the days.

Yeh, when they allowed it. They changed their terms of service.

So clearly some people did pay for that and it was changed at a later date…

Companies are allowed to change their terms of service.

People are allowed to be pissed off when they do.

Absolutely they are. Didn't say they can't be.

What they can't do however is think that they're entitled to use the service in ways that are against the terms of service.

Company decides to change the deal and terms of service to require nudes and accompanying driver's licenses photos every 21 days in this wild hypothetical

Whirlybird: Why do people think they're entitled to use a private company's service nude-free while still paying? It's in the ToS!

Whirlybird: unsubscribe if the terms of service are not to your liking

rikonium: no I demand the other terms of service! Netflix is a human right!

Mobile devices are restricted by being forced to connect to your 'home' network regularly.

And that’s fine because it’s not stopping you from using your 4 devices.

About a month ago we could not use the account on a smart TV in the rental home because it was away from the home network. Updating the home network wasn't an option because the family members not on the trip were still watching things at home.

Being able to watch on a phone, but not on a TV, is stupid.

You skipped the part where Netflix actually encouraged account sharing for a long time. Now they frame the account sharers as thieves. Also the other part where quality of content goes down while subscription prices go up while still not providing plans with hq streams for single people. Which all was tolerable for a few bucks a month. Without sharing netflix is simply not worth the money

Can you point to where they’re calling account sharers “thieves”? I’ve just seen them say they’re now limiting screens. And agreed the content sucks which is why I unsubscribed awhile ago. No one is forcing you to use it, but at the same time no one deserves it for free.

They're not saying it directly of course, but they clearly frame the account sharers as "bad guys" now. I mean you're correct that no one is entitled to watch netflix for free but that "poor netflix just wants to get paid" narrative is some serious BS. I also kinda doubt netflix tells us the 100% truth about subscription growth/recession. The only reason I did not switch my account on/off over the years was because it was shared and it would have required coordination with the other party.

Except netlfix sold people a license to view 3 streams then told people they couldn't decide who used those streams.

I think I am more annoyed by their pricing plans following this move. They are double dipping by charging more for additional screens and then preventing users from using said additional screens. They shouldn't have tiered pricing plans by number of screens if they have no intention of honouring them.

Yeah that all sucks, which is why I unsubscribed to it. But I also understand I don’t deserve it for free.

They’re not preventing you from using more screens. If you want to watch Netflix while the kids watch Netflix in another room, that’s what the multiple device plans are for.

Unless I want to watch from my holiday home. Or if my kids want to watch Netflix at my ex's house. Or if I travel regularly. Or I want to regularly watch Netflix with my friend or girlfriend at their house. There are numerous reports of restrictions on all of these, so they clearly are limiting the number of screens I can use.

You get a one time use PW in all those other instances. I was actually thinking about creating a shared email address with only a Netflix account associated to it so my whole family could still use it without having to pester one another about the one time use code, but at that point piracy is just easier.

I haven't heard of that. So the one time use password is used to log in and then it works fine without warnings etc?

Your a shill. Find a boot to lick

I don’t pay for Netflix and think their content mostly sucks but thinking “I deserve this service for free” is a childish perspective. Go ahead and pirate it, I couldn’t care less, but don’t act like it gives you the moral high ground lol

Nobody said free. Nothing is free. We all pay a service. If you want ads go ahead. Don't bring the rest of us down with you.

Indicated of shill and bootlicker syndrome.

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This isn't a logical argument. It's a childish attempt at discrediting. You failed.

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