Netflix introduces password sharing household controls

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#3036440 14-Feb-2023 15:42

Paul1977:

I know this is somewhat off topic, but I'm just not following your logic here. Maximizing profit per customer isn't necessarily a net gain if you lose half your customers in the process.

That's why you "trial" it in smaller markets like NZ and Canada before you open yourself up to burning off significant numbers of customers in the US and EU markets...

The bleeding wouldn't only be subscribers, stockholders might also be bolting for the door...

Paul1977

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#3036442 14-Feb-2023 15:45

michaelmurfy:

There is a different external IP address. There is also a different IP subnet range, different IP Geolocation, different DNS and all. It is a fully different network in every way apart from being broadcast from the same access points. Same with my Guest network. The crap policies do not work at all in my situation unless if I put all streaming devices onto the same network which, I won't ever do. Geolocation also won't with some clients such as the Tesla as I am not launching the page at home at all regardless nor do I want to micromanage something I shouldn't have to.

The policies do not work for everyone. Rumor has it though that Tesla has been whitelisted by Netflix but I'll have to see it before I'll believe it.

While I don't particularly agree with the policy, your setup would very uncommon in a residential situation. A small (but not insignificant) percentage would have Guest and IoT networks (I do as well), but it would only be a fraction of those that have them using different external IPs... can I ask what the need is for this (not suggesting you change your setup for Netflix, just curious)?

Paul1977

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#3036443 14-Feb-2023 15:47

wellygary:

That's why you "trial" it in smaller markets like NZ and Canada before you open yourself up to burning off significant numbers of customers in the US and EU markets...

The bleeding wouldn't only be subscribers, stockholders might also be bolting for the door...

I get that, but that's still about overall profit; not profit per customer.

EDIT: "Profit per customer" leaves out an incredibly important variable... the number of customers.

JimmyH

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#3036450 14-Feb-2023 16:11

I assume that they have thought it through as they aren't stupid. They are gambling that the revenue loss through people cancelling, or downgrading their plans as they don't need as many streams, will be balanced by new sign ups and reduced costs; and that the false positives and CGNAT issues etc will be manageable. They may be right, they may not. However, that's clearly their business decision to make.

This doesn't really impact us as we don't account share. But if it did then it would probably tip us over to cancelling. We are already on the cusp of doing that anyway - of late the price rises seem to have been matched by a sharp decline in the content available - and we just don't seem to be watching it as much nowadays. There are plenty of other streaming services and we will probably sign up to them in succession, watching what we want over a few months, and then cancelling and moving onto the next one. Netflix isn't the "no brainer" it used to be - with a cheap price and loads of content.

However, I do doubt how effective it will be. For example, I have uncapped fibre with decent speeds. If (hypothetically) I had children that had left home (say to university) that I wanted to be able to use my account then I would just have them do it through a VPN back to my home network. Which I gather I can run on a surplus Raspberry Pi, and which I would likely have set up irrespective of Netflix - as I would doubtless want them to have access to my media server etc anyway. Circumvention of this policy, for anyone who wants to, will be easy - and essentially free. But mine haven't finished primary school yet, so not an issue I will have to deal with for some time 😃.

razor2000nz

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#3036452 14-Feb-2023 16:18

nitro:

razor2000nz:

If you get your flix through spark, you dont have the option of the $7.99 extra member option as it is already a subsidised plan.

why not? they only subsidise the standard plan, and people are able to upgrade to the 4k/uhd plan and the spark bill just gets padded with the difference between the 2 plans. i imagine the cost for sub-accounts would be handled the same way.

Don't know why, but its on their help page. https://help.netflix.com/en/node/123277 (3rd bullet point). I've looked at my colleagues account and there was no option to add an extra member.

Paul1977

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#3036458 14-Feb-2023 16:30

JimmyH:

If (hypothetically) I had children that had left home (say to university) that I wanted to be able to use my account then I would just have them do it through a VPN back to my home network. Which I gather I can run on a surplus Raspberry Pi, and which I would likely have set up irrespective of Netflix - as I would doubtless want them to have access to my media server etc anyway. Circumvention of this policy, for anyone who wants to, will be easy - and essentially free. But mine haven't finished primary school yet, so not an issue I will have to deal with for some time 😃.

I think you overestimate the technical ability of the average consumer, most would not find it easy to set this up.

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Paul1977

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#3036460 14-Feb-2023 16:34

razor2000nz:

Don't know why, but its on their help page. https://help.netflix.com/en/node/123277 (3rd bullet point). I've looked at my colleagues account and there was no option to add an extra member.

Third parties like Spark probably get a cheaper rate and clip the ticket as well. This might be Netflix trying to force more customers to subscribe directly. Seems like a bad move to introduce an unpopular policy and then make it difficult for users to add additional people even if they want to.

This also means if you currently get it cheaper through Spark then the additional user will cost more than $7.99 because you'll lose your discount by having to sign up directly with Netflix.

nitro

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#3036468 14-Feb-2023 16:44

Paul1977:

I think you overestimate the technical ability of the average consumer, most would not find it easy to set this up.

this.

the average consumer would probably think it was simply misspelled, and that Raspberry Pi is a treat that comes out of the oven. i know people who won't be able to setup their own netflix accounts.

networkn

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#3036470 14-Feb-2023 16:45

Paul1977:

I get that, but that's still about overall profit; not profit per customer.

EDIT: "Profit per customer" leaves out an incredibly important variable... the number of customers.

I am not sure what else I can tell you. If you don't get it, you don't get it.

It's a pretty common metric.

Total profit matters, but not in a vacuum.

tdgeek

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#3036558 14-Feb-2023 18:31

JimmyH:

This doesn't really impact us as we don't account share. But if it did then it would probably tip us over to cancelling. We are already on the cusp of doing that anyway - of late the price rises seem to have been matched by a sharp decline in the content available - and we just don't seem to be watching it as much nowadays. There are plenty of other streaming services and we will probably sign up to them in succession, watching what we want over a few months, and then cancelling and moving onto the next one. Netflix isn't the "no brainer" it used to be - with a cheap price and loads of content.

Yes, I get that, but that is totally irrelevant to this thread. If NF doest work, can it. Thats competition. BTW not trying to denigrate your point, but if Netflix isnt worth it, get rid of it. If its worth it keep it

tdgeek

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#3036559 14-Feb-2023 18:34

networkn:

I am not sure what else I can tell you. If you don't get it, you don't get it.

It's a pretty common metric.

Total profit matters, but not in a vacuum.

Agree, whether its Netflix or sausage rolls or garlic crushers, same deal applies

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Obraik

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#3036569 14-Feb-2023 18:55

jonathan18:
michaelmurfy: What is worse is under the new policy I found out that it fully blocks my Tesla from accessing my Netflix account as it isn't at home (it operates off an AU sim)

@michaelmurfy: Just to confirm my understanding on this - I assume this will affect all Tesla owners, and that it's not yet impacting my ability to watch Netflix in the car is just because Netflix hasn't enabled its new policy on our account?

Netflix password sharing policy does not apply to Tesla vehicles - Drive Tesla (driveteslacanada.ca)

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MikeAqua

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#3036971 15-Feb-2023 11:40

Decision made in our house. If my partner and I can't watch NF on Smart TVs in the apartment as well as the house on, we will cancel our membership. Signed up for premium on the basis that we could do this.

NF have the right to change the T&C. We have the right to walk away.

Plenty of other options.

Mike

Oblivian

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#3036982 15-Feb-2023 12:13

Everyone might want to hold fire until you get the email and it's implemented..

It does state you can still use it at air BnB etc and a temporary location with a form of authentication notification. Hotels and motels have to work this way also.

Watch while you travel: Members can still easily watch Netflix on their personal devices or log into a new TV, like at a hotel or holiday rental

They've added device management. i expect there to be a flag for short term use associated with an approval of device.

Do it too much, and it's another way they catch you out

FineWine

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#3037015 15-Feb-2023 13:08

Oblivian: Everyone might want to hold fire until you get the email and it's implemented..

It does state you can still use it at air BnB etc and a temporary location with a form of authentication notification. Hotels and motels have to work this way also.

Watch while you travel: Members can still easily watch Netflix on their personal devices or log into a new TV, like at a hotel or holiday rental

They've added device management. i expect there to be a flag for short term use associated with an approval of device.

Do it too much, and it's another way they catch you out

Got my email on the 11th February:

Netflix is for a single household

Hi ******

Netflix is meant to be shared in one household – which means people who live in the same location.

You can easily watch Netflix when you travel or visit different places.

To control how your Netflix account is used, you have some options:

Set your primary location by 22 February. Anyone who lives at your primary location can use this Netflix account. We’ll help you set this on your TV. Learn more.
Watch Netflix while you travel. You can still easily stream with your personal devices or log into Netflix on a new TV, such as at a hotel or holiday rental.
Review device activity. Control who has access to your account from the new Manage access and devices page.
Transfer a profile. Anyone on your account can transfer a profile to a new membership that they pay for. Learn more.
We know you might have questions. Our Help Centre has detailed information, and you can always contact us.
Thank you for choosing Netflix. We appreciate your membership and we look forward to bringing you more great TV shows and movies.

The Netflix team

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