The days of sharing passwords on streaming platforms are over.
Netflix AND Disney+, among others, have begun cracking down on users who share accounts with people outside their families. Now, Warner Bros. Discovery is joining its competitors and implementing password-sharing guidelines for its app, Max.
Although little information has been released regarding the details, the CEO and President of Global Streaming and Games at Warner Bros. Discovery, JB Parrette, confirmed that the company will set new limits at the end of 2024 while speaking at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference on Monday.
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The restrictions are set to be fully extended by 2025.
Max is the hybrid platform that combined HBO Max and Discovery+, creating a streaming platform that offers original programming, award-winning HBO shows and movies, and a massive collection of reality TV content, like “90 Day Fiance” and its plethora of spinoffs.
Warner Bros. Discovery posted a Net loss of $400 million in Q4 2023, with a 14% decline in linear TV advertising revenue and a 17% decline in studio revenue.
“This business is not without its challenges,” CEO David Zaslav said on an earnings call at the time. “Among them, we continue to face the impacts of continued disruption in the pay TV ecosystem and a dislocated, linear advertising ecosystem. We are challenging our leaders to find innovative solutions.”
The password-sharing restrictions are part of a larger plan to make streaming a profitable investment for Zaslav, Bloomberg reported, which includes expanding Max into new international markets, including France and Latin America, in the next year and a half.
Max would join the ranks of Netflix, Hulu and Disney+, which have all cracked down on sharing passwords for streamers, much to the chagrin of paying customers.
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“Your family members can log into your account and stream Max across devices,” Max's current policy read. “Your account email and password should not be shared with anyone outside of your family.”
Warner Bros. Discovery did not immediately respond entrepreneurRequest for comment.