HBO Max is gearing up for a big change next month. The streaming service will start cracking down on password sharing. JB Perrette is the head of streaming at Warner Bros. Discovery.
He said HBO Max will take a more “aggressive” approach to password sharing. The company has been testing ways to limit account sharing. It can now tell the difference between real users and those who are not.
“This process will enter a more aggressive phase by the fourth quarter,” Perrette said. Right now, messages about account sharing are “soft.” Users can ignore them. But soon, the messages will be more direct.
Users will have to take action. People who share passwords will be asked to pay $7.99 per month.
Cracking down on password sharing
This will make them an “extra member” on the account. Other streaming services like Netflix and Disney are also trying to stop password sharing. They think it will help them make more money.
HBO Max added 3.4 million subscribers in the last few months. Most of these came from other countries. The service now has 125.7 million users total.
Some people are not happy about the change. They say HBO Max is being greedy. One user said they might cancel their account.
The effects of the new rules will start to show up in the company’s finances by 2026. Small changes will begin by the end of this year.
