Netlix Rakes In Additional 5.9 Million Users After Cracking Down On Password Sharing

Streaming giant Netflix announced recently that they intended to crack down on password sharing on the platform. The new policy only permits password sharing within the same household. The policy forced several users to either pay a fee to add an additional user onto the same account or open a new account altogether. As a result of the changes, the streamer gained an additional 5.9 million users.

Netflix done hopped down with the sharing passwords???? pic.twitter.com/pCvKXki9kY

— NY (@headhardlipsoft) July 24, 2023

The sign ups came just ahead of the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike, which will put a strain on any projects that the streamer had in production or with planned shooting dates this summer and into the fall. While the streamer will likely take a hit on the front of original content in the coming months should they not strike a deal with the unions, the bolstered subscriber count could even help them profit.

How Netflix Is Evading The Strike

The striking unions are predominantly based in the U.S. Netflix boasts content from the U.K., Ireland, and several Asian countries. Each of these regions have their own actors unions that are not affiliated with the American branches of SAG-AFTRA, making it easier for them to continue filming projects there. Some of these hit shows include “Squid Game”, which is based out of South Korea.

In this photo taken on October 7, 2021, a large digital screen on a building displays the logo of Netflix, producers of the South Korean hit series “Squid Game”, beyond a South Korean flag hoisted above a pavement in Seoul. – A dystopian vision of a polarised society, Netflix smash hit Squid Game blends a tight plot, social allegory and uncompromising violence to create the latest South Korean cultural phenomenon to go global.
– TO GO WITH AFP STORY SKOREA-US-TELEVISION-SOCIAL-SQUID GAME,FOCUS BY CLAIRE LEE (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP) / TO GO WITH AFP STORY SKOREA-US-TELEVISION-SOCIAL-SQUID GAME,FOCUS BY CLAIRE LEE (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Other productions, like “Bridgerton,” while filmed and cast in the U.K., additionally fall under Shondaland, under the discretion of acclaimed showrunner Shonda Rhimes. Rhimes is American, and a member of the WGA. While production on season three of “Bridgerton” wrapped prior to the strike, it is unclear what future iterations of the show could face. Several writers on the show dressed in period costumes on the picket line.

As people involved in the show strike rightfully for better pay, even if the post production is over the actors won’t be able to promote the show, even if Netflix goes ahead and releases Bridgerton s3 in December. As much as I want to see it, I’d be ok with it being postponed.. pic.twitter.com/Zak0kQ6cG7

— ????Promenading Anthony’s Pinnacle???? (@chaoticguitar) July 24, 2023

Actors on strike dressed in outfits reminiscent of the hit show 'Bridgerton' at a picket line outside Netflix offices in Los Angeles. Umbrellas came in handy under the hot summer sun, as they walked up and down the sidewalk in lace dresses https://t.co/s6jRfYhuQS pic.twitter.com/MJcgBeTT7A

— Reuters (@Reuters) July 19, 2023

An e-marketer report confirmed that the streamer does intend to focus on international titles. Netflix was first founded in 1997, therefore endured the 2008 WGA strike. The company previously specialized in a DVD delivery and exchange service for films and full seasons of television shows after they had aired on cable channels.

Now that Netflix operates on a streaming model, the company is poised to survive the strike relatively unscathed due to the large catalogue of existing content. Netflix has not commented on the jump in subscribers at this time.