After Netflix, it appears that Disney+ (known as Disney+ Hotstar in India) will begin cracking down on password-sharing. A move that was once called foolish has reaped benefits for Netflix as the platform added 6 million new subscribers after logging out non-paying users.
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During its Q3 2023 earnings call, Disney CEO Bob Iger claimed that Disney+ is “actively exploring” ways to limit account sharing with new policies expected to roll out sometime in 2024.
Goodbye, password-sharing on Disney+ Hotstar
Without sharing a number, Iger said that a “significant” amount of people have been sharing their Disney+ credentials with friends and family. He highlighted how they wish to explore how many of them can be converted into new subscribers. If this works out as well it has for Netflix, the company could add new subscribers and boost its revenue.
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According to Iger, Disney+ would bring in “some” new subscribers after changing password-sharing policies. Even then, it’s unlikely for this work to finish before 2024. Disney is expected to begin updating its subscriber agreements with fresh terms towards the end of this year, which Iger called a “priority.”
Disney+ Hotstar (as it is known in many countries including India) lost 12.5 million subscribers between April and June, bringing its subscribers down to 40.4 million from 52.9 million. The platform lost rights to live stream Indian Premier League (IPL).
In addition, HBO pulled all its content off Disney+ Hotstar in March this year in India. Now, that content is available to stream via JioCinema. Even considering all these factors, Disney+ Hotstar is still among the most sanely priced streaming subscriptions, costing ₹899 a year with ads. The Premium subscriptions costs ₹1,499 with no ads and support for ultra-HD resolution.
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In contrast, Netflix’s Premium subscription costs ₹649 per month, with the mobile only plan starting at ₹149 per month.
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