HBO Max to tighten password-sharing policies starting soon. Will you be all set?
HBO Max is set to enforce a strict password-sharing crackdown starting September 2025, targeting users who share their accounts with people outside their household. The streaming platform will require these account holders to pay an additional $7.99 per month fee for each extra viewer outside their home.
Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming CEO, JB Perrette, has stated that they have been testing methods to differentiate legitimate users from unauthorized ones and are now "putting the net in the right place" to catch password sharers. This move aligns with similar actions taken by competitors such as Netflix and Disney+, aimed at closing existing loopholes and increasing profits.
Currently, HBO Max offers multiple plans, with prices ranging from $9.99/month (with ads) to $20.99/month (premium ad-free 4K). The $7.99 sharing fee for additional out-of-household viewers is above these rates.
Previously, HBO Max had a soft, cancelable messaging approach about password sharing. However, the company is now moving towards more assertive messaging and enforcement, requiring users to take direct action to comply. The Extra Member Add-On, introduced in April, allows users to share their account with someone else for an additional $7.99 per month.
The account holder can choose to pay for this add-on, granting the added viewer their own account, password, and profile. Only one additional member is allowed per account. This change reflects an industry-wide effort to limit password sharing, a reportedly widespread issue causing significant revenue loss.
It's worth noting that other streaming platforms have also taken steps to curb password sharing. For instance, paying for cable television might be the most economical solution based on individual watching habits, especially for those who frequently watch content across multiple devices.
As for HBO Max, the reboot of Sex and the City, And Just Like That..., is coming to an end on the platform. The crackdown on password sharing marks a shift from past marketing campaigns that even encouraged sharing, signifying a more serious approach towards subscription management. The expected benefits of this crackdown will become visible in 2026.
- Google emphasizes the importance of HBO Max's recent announcement, highlighting the streaming service's intent to enforce stricter password-sharing rules starting from September 2025, similar to Netflix and Disney+.
- As the technology landscape evolves, AI and tech giants like Apple and Android are keeping a close eye on this trend of cracking down on password sharing in the entertainment sector, particularly in streaming services like HBO Max.
- In this era of technology dominance, streaming platforms such as HBO Max are employing advanced methods to differentiate legitimate users from unauthorized ones, aligning with initiatives aimed at increasing profits and securing their content.
- Amidst tech advancements and the booming entertainment industry, HBO Max's decision to enforce password-sharing restrictions and monetize additional out-of-household viewers, by introducing the Extra Member Add-On, is an example of the shifting strategies in the streaming service sector.
