Disney Plus, the popular streaming service that offers access to Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar content, has announced that it will begin restricting password sharing in Canada starting from November 1st. The company sent an email to Canadian subscribers informing them of the change and updating its subscriber agreement and help center.
Why is Disney Plus cracking down on password sharing?
According to Disney CEO Bob Iger, the company is “actively exploring ways to address account sharing” across its services. Iger said that a “significant” number of people are currently sharing passwords and that Disney has the “technical capability” to monitor sign-ins. He also said that the company plans to “get at this issue” in 2024 and that it expects to see some impact on its business growth.
Disney Plus is not the first streaming service to tackle password sharing. Netflix, its main rival, has been testing such restrictions for over a year in various countries and began charging users an extra fee to share their accounts with someone outside their household earlier this year. Netflix said that its policy has driven more subscribers to the service.
How will Disney Plus enforce its password-sharing policy?
Disney Plus has not provided many details on how it will enforce its password-sharing policy. Its email to Canadian subscribers simply states that “we’re implementing restrictions on your ability to share your account or login credentials outside of your household”. The company also warns that failing to comply with the agreement could lead to account limits or termination.
The updated help center states that Disney Plus accounts are intended for personal use only and that users may not share their subscription outside of their household. It also says that the company may “analyze the use of your account” and that users should protect their login credentials and not share them with anyone.
It is unclear how Disney Plus will determine who belongs to the same household and how it will track sign-ins from different devices and locations. It is also unknown whether the company will implement a similar policy in other markets where it operates.
What are the alternatives for Canadian Disney Plus subscribers?
Canadian Disney Plus subscribers who want to continue sharing their accounts with friends or family members outside their household may have to look for other options. One possibility is to upgrade to a higher-tier plan that allows more simultaneous streams and downloads. Disney Plus currently offers three plans in Canada: Basic ($11.99 per month), Standard ($14.99 per month), and Premium ($19.99 per month). The Basic plan allows two streams and 10 downloads, the Standard plan allows four streams and 20 downloads, and the Premium plan allows six streams and 30 downloads.
Another option is to switch to a different streaming service that does not restrict password sharing or charges a lower fee for it. Some of the competitors of Disney Plus in Canada include Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Crave, Apple TV Plus, Paramount Plus, and HBO Max.
Alternatively, Canadian Disney Plus subscribers can opt for the cheaper ad-supported tier that the company launched in September. The ad-supported tier costs $9.99 per month and offers access to the same content as the ad-free tier, but with occasional commercials. The ad-supported tier also allows two streams and 10 downloads.
