Disney has introduced a new feature aimed at addressing password sharing on its streaming platform, Disney+. This move is part of a larger effort to maintain control over account access and generate additional revenue, following the company’s announcement of upcoming price increases. The feature, called “Paid Sharing,” was initially hinted at during a recent earnings call and is now being officially rolled out across multiple regions, including the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
What is Paid Sharing?
The Paid Sharing feature allows Disney+ account holders to share their subscription with someone outside their household for an additional monthly fee. For subscribers on the Disney+ Basic plan, this will cost an extra $7 per month. Premium subscribers will need to pay $10 per month to add what Disney calls an “Extra Member” to their account. This is the first time Disney+ has offered an official, paid option for sharing accounts, and it mirrors similar features introduced by other streaming platforms in recent months.
Disney+ defines an Extra Member as someone who does not reside in the same household as the main account holder. This feature is intended to prevent the widespread practice of sharing passwords with friends, family, or others who aren’t part of the same residence. By providing an official channel to share an account, Disney hopes to reduce the number of unauthorized users accessing the service while offering a more affordable option compared to a full subscription.
Why Introduce Paid Sharing Now?
Streaming services like Disney+ have faced growing pressure to curb the practice of password sharing, which has become a common occurrence as more people look to save on subscription fees. With password sharing cutting into potential revenue streams, companies are seeking new ways to monetize the practice.
The timing of Disney’s Paid Sharing rollout coincides with upcoming price hikes for both the Basic and Premium plans. The Disney+ Basic plan is set to increase to $10 a month, up from its current rate, while the Premium plan will jump to $16 a month. These price increases have likely encouraged the introduction of Paid Sharing, as it provides users with a cheaper alternative to purchasing an entirely new subscription for someone outside their household.
For those who want to share their account with just one person outside their home, Paid Sharing is a more cost-effective option than paying for a full-price subscription. However, Disney has imposed some restrictions to ensure that the feature is used in a controlled manner.
Important Limitations and Restrictions
While Paid Sharing may seem like an appealing solution for many Disney+ users, it’s important to be aware of the limitations that come with this new feature. First and foremost, Disney+ only allows one Extra Member per account, meaning you can only share your subscription with a single person outside your household. This prevents account holders from sharing their subscription with multiple friends or family members, a practice that could lead to further loss of revenue for the platform.
Additionally, if your Disney+ plan is part of a bundle — such as the Disney Bundle that includes Hulu and ESPN+ — you won’t be able to access the Paid Sharing feature at all. Bundle subscribers are excluded from this option, which could be disappointing for users who rely on bundled services to get more value out of their subscriptions. This means that, for now, if you’re part of a Disney Bundle, you’ll need to maintain separate accounts for anyone outside your household.
The restrictions also apply to users who subscribe to Disney+ through one of Disney’s partner services, such as cable providers or other third-party billing platforms. If you’re billed for Disney+ through a partner, you won’t have the option to add an Extra Member, at least for the time being. Disney has stated that these limitations are in place “at this time,” but the company hasn’t given any indication of whether it plans to change these restrictions in the future. It’s unclear if Disney will eventually expand the Paid Sharing option to bundle subscribers or those who pay through external services.
How Does Paid Sharing Compare to Buying a Separate Subscription?
With the price of Disney+ subscriptions increasing soon, some users might be wondering whether it’s worth opting for the Paid Sharing feature or if it makes more sense to simply purchase a new, separate subscription. The upcoming price increase will see Disney+ Basic rise to $10 per month and Premium to $16 per month, making the Extra Member option a cheaper alternative.
For instance, if you want to share your Disney+ account with someone who doesn’t live with you, paying $7 or $10 for an Extra Member is significantly cheaper than having that person buy a separate Disney+ plan. This could make Paid Sharing an attractive option for users who are looking to save on subscription fees while still allowing someone else to enjoy the benefits of Disney+.
However, the one-person limit on Extra Members means that this option won’t work for everyone. If you want to share your account with multiple people outside your household, you’ll either need to rotate the Extra Member or purchase separate subscriptions for each person.
Impact on Password Sharing Practices
The introduction of Paid Sharing is part of a broader trend in the streaming industry to crack down on password sharing. Streaming services like Netflix have already rolled out similar features in recent months, and Disney+ is now following suit. The goal is to encourage users to either sign up for their own subscription or use the new Paid Sharing option, rather than relying on someone else’s login details.
Password sharing has long been a thorn in the side of streaming companies, as it allows multiple people to use a single subscription, cutting into potential revenue. While it’s difficult to track exactly how much revenue is lost due to password sharing, estimates suggest that it amounts to billions of dollars annually across the industry. By introducing features like Paid Sharing, companies like Disney+ hope to recapture some of that lost revenue and ensure that each user is paying for the service they’re accessing.
What Does This Mean for Disney+ Subscribers?
For Disney+ subscribers, the introduction of Paid Sharing represents a shift in how the platform approaches account access. While the ability to share accounts with people outside your household is still possible, it’s now being regulated and monetized. If you’re someone who frequently shares your Disney+ account with friends or family, this new feature will require you to pay extra to continue doing so.
However, for those who only share their account with one person, Paid Sharing could offer a more affordable solution than having to purchase a completely new subscription. The key is to weigh the costs and benefits based on your specific situation.
What Comes Next for Disney+?
As Disney+ continues to evolve, it’s likely that the platform will introduce more features aimed at improving its service and maximizing revenue. The Paid Sharing feature is just one of several initiatives that Disney has rolled out recently, and more changes could be on the horizon.
Disney has not ruled out the possibility of adjusting the current restrictions on bundle subscribers or those who are billed through third-party services. While the company hasn’t provided any specific details, it’s possible that Disney+ will offer more flexible sharing options in the future, depending on how the Paid Sharing feature is received by subscribers.
Disney’s Paid Sharing feature is a new way for the company to combat password sharing while giving users an official option to share their accounts. For a small monthly fee, Disney+ subscribers can now add an Extra Member to their account, though there are several limitations, such as only being able to add one person and restrictions on bundle subscribers.
With prices for Disney+ set to rise soon, Paid Sharing offers a cheaper alternative to purchasing a separate subscription for someone outside your household. However, it’s important to consider the restrictions and weigh whether this option is right for you.
As streaming services continue to adapt to the changing landscape, features like Paid Sharing are likely to become more common. Disney+ subscribers should stay informed about upcoming changes to ensure they’re getting the best value for their subscription.
