Disney+ doomed to add Netflix’s worst feature in 2024
Don't tell the streaming giants, but come on, who isn't logged into someone else's account, somewhere? When you pay your monthly subscription to Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and all the rest - it soon adds up. Households will often share passwords, and as you can imagine, the bigwigs aren't happy.
We always knew we had it too good, and alongside streaming services hiking their prices, they're also clamping down on password sharing. We saw Netflix do it first, which led to the former industry leader losing $54 billion in just 24 hours. Although it's since climbed back up, it's clear subscribers aren't happy.
Disney+ is stopping password sharing
Click to enlargeNow, Disney+ is set to follow in Netflix's footsteps, raising its prices and tightening the noose on password sharing. Mickey Mouse has his boxing gloves on, and he's ready to rumble. We already warned you that your Disney+ subscription was about to become more expensive, but that's just the tip of the iceberg.
Disney CEO Bob Iger has laid out his grand plans for the future of Disney, and with it, comes a crackdown on password sharing. As reported by The Wrap, Iger told investors, "We are actively exploring ways to address account sharing and the best options for paying subscribers to share their accounts with friends and family."
Giving us a timeframe, Iger added, "Later this year, we will begin to update our subscriber agreements with additional terms and our sharing policies. And we will roll out tactics to drive monetization sometime in 2024." He considers Disney+ as one of three main priorities that should help the company's growth.
As for password sharing, he concluded, "We already have the technical capability to monitor much of this, and I’m not gonna give you a specific number except to say it's significant." For now, 2024 is a placeholder, although Iger admitted it might come into play next year.
Bob Iger admits to 'disappointing' box office run
Click to enlargeConsidering Netflix took a hit but is now reporting a boom in paid subscribers, Iger is presumably hoping for the same with Disney. However, it might not be that simple. A post-pandemic Disney has struggled in some areas, not least with accusations that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has become saturated.
Iger hyped recent successes (via IGN) of Avatar 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy 3 but added, "The performance of some of our recent films has definitely been disappointing, and we don't take that lightly. As you'd expect, we're very focused on improving the quality and the performance of the films we've got coming out."
It comes after Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Elemental, and the Haunted Mansion reboot all struggled to make a mark at the box office. It makes sense that Disney will claw back the money somewhere, and apparently, that's by making you all buy a Disney+ subscription.