This summer will see the implementation of Disney’s most recent tactical move to combat password sharing, which will fundamentally alter how digital content distribution is handled across its streaming services. Hugh Johnston, Disney’s Chief Financial Officer, outlined intentions to target Disney Plus customers that engage in “improper sharing” during a May earnings call. He proposed a plan that forces these users to either join up for an individual membership or adjust to the impending adjustments. This move is a part of Disney’s larger strategy to improve subscriber integrity and reduce revenue losses linked to unapproved account sharing.
Amidst escalating apprehensions over the viability of streaming services, Disney has opted to institute protocols that permit current account users to formally include others beyond their home in their subscription for a “supplementary cost.” Disney’s intention to maintain and possibly grow its fan base while striking a balance between enforcement and flexibility is demonstrated by this endeavor, even though the precise cost is still unknown. Johnston stated, “We’re excited to implement this new functionality to enhance the overall customer experience and expand our subscriber base,” emphasizing the company’s expectation of the benefits of this new feature.
The initiative is a response to the terms of service revisions made earlier this year by Disney Plus and Hulu, two businesses that are part of Disney’s vast entertainment portfolio. The updated terms, which go into effect on January 25 for new subscribers and March 14 for current customers, expressly forbid sharing memberships with anyone who do not live in the subscriber’s home. This change in policy is indicative of a trend among the major streaming services. Last year, Netflix introduced a paid sharing model; to add an external user to a subscriber’s account, it now costs $7.99 per month.
When considering the competitive environment, Johnston recognized the tactical benefit of tackling password sharing. “We have an opportunity with paid sharing,” he said, acknowledging that in order to take advantage of this unexplored source of income, the company would need to implement comparable policies to those of its rivals. Disney intends to implement this strategy successfully in the near future by taking “very specific actions.”
Disney is also going through a revolutionary era, as seen by the recent decision to combine Hulu and Disney Plus into a single application that will debut in March. This action is a result of Disney’s attempt to simplify its digital services and follows a beta release from the previous year. Nevertheless, there are difficulties in the streaming market; Disney Plus saw a loss of 1.3 million members in the US and Canada after raising prices the previous year. On the other hand, Hulu demonstrated tenacity and expansion by gaining 1.2 million new members in the same period.
Disney-owned ESPN announced the impending launch of a new live sports streaming service, developed in collaboration with Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery, as part of a deliberate expansion of its digital ecosystem. This service, which is slated for introduction in the fall, intends to strengthen Disney’s standing in the streaming industry by providing Disney Plus bundle customers who also get Hulu and ESPN Plus with access to an expanded content library. Disney, however, is preparing to release an ESPN direct-to-consumer version in August 2025 in response to the slowing downtake of traditional pay TV and the contracting advertising market.
Disney has made a strategic shift to protect and increase its revenue streams, as evidenced by its concerted efforts to enforce password sharing laws and diversify its streaming offerings. Disney’s policy changes and service improvements might establish new benchmarks for content consumption, subscriber engagement, and revenue optimization in the digital era, particularly with the streaming industry at a crossroads. The consequences of Disney’s actions for the ecosystem of streaming services and consumer behavior are significant and might usher in a new era of digital content delivery.