Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) is expanding its new approach to account sharing to more countries after testing in Latin America.
The company says that "confusion" about when and how to share its accounts has led to 100M households sharing their access, "impacting our ability to invest in great new TV and films."
Now its new mechanism is coming to Canada, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain.
That will include establishing a primary location, so that anyone living in the household can use a resident's account; adding a new Manage Access and Devices page to let members control those aspects; "Transfer profile," allowing existing profiles to become a new membership, with personalization intact; and notably "Buy an extra member": the ability to add an extra member sub-account for "up to two people they don't live with."
That extra-member account comes for an extra C$7.99 per month in Canada; NZD$7.99/month in New Zealand; €3.99/month in Portugal; and €5.99/month in Spain.
"We value our members and recognize that they have many entertainment choices. A Netflix account is intended for one household and members can choose from a range of plans with different features," the company said.
A Jefferies survey of "password borrowers" indicated that 62% of respondents would stop using Netflix, including 25% of that group who said they can't afford the service.