Disney has officially initiated its crackdown on password and account sharing, introducing a new “paid sharing program” for users across the U.S. and various regions worldwide this week.
During its earnings calls, Disney hinted at these changes earlier this year, and with the official rollout, the company now has a concrete policy and strategy in place. The goal is to encourage users sharing accounts to transition to their own individual subscriptions.
According to a blog post published on Wednesday, Disney’s paid sharing program offers users a couple of options. Subscribers sharing their account with someone outside their household can add them as an “Extra Member” for $6.99 per month on Disney+ Basic, or $9.99 for Disney+ Premium, both lower than the regular subscription prices. However, only one Extra Member is allowed per account, and this feature is not included in the Disney Bundle.
Additionally, account sharers have the option to sign up for their own Disney+ subscription. They can transfer an eligible profile to the new account, allowing them to retain their watch history and personalized settings.
According to Disney+ help center, the platform will automatically determine your Household based on factors like subscription activity, connected devices, and internet connection. If it detects streaming from outside the established Household, users may be prompted to enter a one-time password to either confirm adding a new location or verify that they are temporarily away from home.
Disney+’s crackdown on account sharing coincides with an upcoming price increase across most of its subscription plans next month. The timing also aligns with a series of high-profile premieres, including Agatha All Along and the highly anticipated Disney+ debut of Inside Out 2.