Netflix subscribers have shared their thoughts on the site’s idea to make more money, and they aren’t happy about it.
This comes amid their plan to offer a cheaper subscription to subscribers who are willing to watch commercials…
Scroll on for all the latest…
Now, over the last few years, we’ve taken full advantage of the streaming service’s infamous selection of movies, TV shows, and documentaries.
I mean, who wouldn’t?
It really helped us all get through lockdown.
The days of struggling to stay entertained are over – Netflix holds the potential of keeping you occupied for weeks on end.
The streaming site truly is the best of the best…
At the click of a button, you can instantly stream thousands of movies and TV shows.
As soon as you’ve finished one box set, it’s on to the next…
And there’s nothing better than getting cozy in your own bed and flicking through the best of what Netflix has to offer, is there?
After a long day’s work, getting back home and sticking your favorite show on is what we all dream about…
It is pretty much all we’ve been doing over winter, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
However…
For those users who lend out their password to friends or other family members, the price of their subscription could go up.
It’s all thanks to the new Netflix feature that is being tested to stop password sharing between households.
Yikes!
Netflix announced their new test earlier this year to ensure users aren’t sharing their passwords…
Declaring that you could potentially be asked to pay an extra fee to allow others to access your account.
Chengyi Long, director of product innovation at Netflix, said: “While [separate profiles and multiple streams] have been hugely popular, they have also created some confusion about when and how Netflix can be shared.”
“As a result, accounts are being shared between households — impacting our ability to invest in great new TV and films for our members.”
They added: “for the last year we’ve been working on ways to enable members who share outside their household to do so easily and securely, while also paying a bit more.”
The statement said that the new feature will be tested on “members in Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru.”
And now, after thousands of users voiced their disapproval of the move, Netflix has come up with another option for subscribers…
Commercials.
That’s right, co-CEO Reed Hastings recently announced plans to offer a discounted Netflix subscription to those willing to watch ads.
As per The Hollywood Reporter, he was previously against the move, and was instead a “big fan of the simplicity of subscription.”
But after subscriptions have recently plummeted by 200,000, they came up with another way to keep costs down.
Adding: “As much as I am a fan of that, I am a bigger fan of consumer choice. And allowing consumers who would like to have a lower price, and are advertising-tolerant, get what they want, makes a lot of sense,” he said.
Hastings said: “Think of us as quite open to offering even lower prices with advertising as a consumer choice.”
The change won’t be anytime soon, but it’s something Netflix is currently looking into.
And it seems users aren’t all too pleased about the idea…
In fact, some are threatening to cancel their subscription altogether if they decide to add adverts to the site.
The head of product at the online magazine Rest of World, Michael Donohoe, explained that this decision would contradict the whole purpose of a subscription.
“Hey Netflix, I’ve been a member since 2006 but if you add commercials I’m gone,” he tweeted. “It’s really that simple. I left cable for your service because of ads.”
The editor for Wired, Steven Levy, also tweeted his outrage at the idea…
“Not interested in Netflix with ads. And there’s a limit to the monthly subscription fee, considering so many alternatives. (Plus Netflix can’t get me free shipping on stuff). My suggestion: Don’t make 9-figure blockbusters.”
Alex Morash, the editor of Options Magazine, tweeted: “Goodbye Netflix. I won’t pay for a streaming service that includes ads, full stop. I’d rather watch nothing at all.”
However, Wall Street Journal reporter, Joe Flint, didn’t seem too pressed about the idea but wanted the ads to be varied.
“If Netflix is going to have ads, please don’t be like some other streaming services which show the same ad over and over again,” he tweeted. “The only thing that does is make me hate the sponsor and the streamer.”
What do you think of their plan?