It’s been rumoured for months but Netflix has finally confirmed that UK users will have to pay more if they share accounts. The streaming giant has just confirmed that anyone who has handed their password to friends and family will now need to pay an extra £4.99 per month if they want to continue watching shows such as Drive to Survive and The Crown.
Netflix says it will begin emailing customers affected in the coming days but it appears that it is finally the end of sharing accounts for free.
Along with that extra £4.99 fee – which is picked up by the bill payer – there’s also the option to transfer a user that is piggybacking on a main account with them then picking up the standard monthly bill.
Although £4.99 seems like a high price to pay for sharing, it is cheaper than paying for a standalone account with that option costing at least £6.99.
“A Netflix account is for use by one household. Everyone living in that household can use Netflix wherever they are – at home, on the go, on holiday – and take advantage of new features like Transfer Profile and Manage Access and Devices,” Netflix explained.
“We recognise that our members have many entertainment choices. It’s why we continue to invest heavily in a wide variety of new films and TV programmes – so whatever your taste, mood or language and whoever you’re watching with, there’s always something satisfying to watch on Netflix.”
Netflix hasn’t confirmed when the additional charges will come into force but if you get an email from the streaming giant in the coming days then expect your monthly bill to increase soon.
If you’re unsure if you have shared your account with others there is an easy way to check.
Netflix says users can review which devices are signed in to their account and also sign out of devices that shouldn’t have access.
Now is also a good time to consider changing your password as this will block people that may have had access in the past using accounts.