Disney+ CFO Reports “Well” Progress in Password Crackdown

Disney+ has been cracking down on users sharing their passwords for a little over a year now, and CFO Hugh Johnston recently gave an update on the progress. Disney has been experiencing a peak in financial success, with hits like Moana 2 and Inside Out 2 paving the way for substantial profits. However, Disney+, the company’s streaming service, wasn’t pulling in as much money as desired, leading Disney to implement a plan to block password sharing in 2023 to ensure users stay within their households.

The effort seems to be yielding positive results, as CFO Hugh Johnston shared during the UBS Media and Communications Conference that the password crackdown has been beneficial for subscriber growth, according to Deadline. In addition to this, Disney will explore advertising on Disney+ as a supplementary revenue stream. Johnston mentioned that Disney has extensive experience with ad monetization compared to its streaming competitors, hinting that there may be future price increases to come.

If you’re a Disney+ subscriber, it’s crucial to note that your account can only be accessed from your primary residence. Using it outside of this address will require the creation of a new account or adding the user as an “Extra Member” to the original account, which comes at an additional cost. The ad-free version of Disney+ is now priced at £8.99, up from £7.99, while the Premium version costs £12.99, up from £10.99. With further price rises anticipated, subscribers should prepare for potential adjustments to their subscription costs.

Netflix was the pioneer in addressing password-sharing concerns, and Warner Bros is now following suit with its Max streaming service, set to arrive in the UK in 2026. Disney’s ongoing efforts signal a larger industry trend towards protecting user accounts and optimizing revenue streams across the streaming landscape.