Disney+: Goodbye account sharing, hello ads 📺

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Disney+ is set to introduce major changes that could disrupt its subscribers’ experience. By the end of summer, users will have to bid farewell to account sharing outside their household and prepare for the arrival of ads on the service.

No More Generous Account Sharing 🛑

Disney+ is following Netflix’s lead by strictly limiting account sharing. Since late July, Disney+ subscribers have received an email informing them of the new terms of use.

Mail envoyé aux abonnés Disney + // Source : @ztnm01 sur X

Only devices connected to the main residence’s network will now be able to access the service, or risk termination. A paid option, potentially called « Extra Access, » could be introduced to allow limited sharing with people living elsewhere, similar to Netflix’s approach.

« We have restructured the Terms to include new clauses regarding the possibility for a subscriber to allow an Additional Subscriber to access Disney+ if this feature is offered »

Ads Coming to Your Screens 😡

The entertainment giant also plans to introduce advertising content on its platform. While precise details are not yet known, we can expect to see ads before the launch of movies or series. They could also appear during programs, particularly during live events. This is notably the strategy used by Amazon on its Prime Video platform. More worryingly, Disney+ reserves the right to suspend or terminate the subscription of users who attempt to block these ads.

« We have added a clause prohibiting ad blockers and stating that we reserve the right, with prior notice, to suspend or terminate your subscription if you take measures to prevent the display of ads. »

These changes are part of a strategy to improve the profitability of the platform, which had about 111.3 million subscribers at the end of 2023. Disney is clearly inspired by Netflix’s success. Indeed, the platform saw its subscriber base grow by 30 million in 2023 after introducing similar measures.

The End of the Initial Streaming Model 😕

These developments mark a clear break from the initial promise of streaming. Gone are the days of a smooth viewing experience, without ad interruptions and accessible at any time. By introducing ads and restricting account sharing, Disney+ is dangerously approaching the traditional pay TV model. This trend, observed among several major streaming players, raises questions about the future of the sector. What about consumer satisfaction, who might feel betrayed by these changes?

As Disney+ prepares to implement these new measures, many questions remain unanswered. How will subscribers react to these changes? Will the quality of content be enough to compensate for the degradation of the user experience? One thing is certain: the streaming landscape is in full mutation, and consumers will have to adapt to this new reality or seek alternatives.

Et vous, utilisez-vous Disney+ ? Que pensez-vous de ces nouvelles conditions ? Venez en discuter en commentaire.