That said, Netflix has effectively taken password-sharing into account in its pricing strategy. SVOD services could do heavy two-factor authentication for a preset number of devices per account, but again, that would stunt users’ ability to stream on any Internet-connected thing with a screen (e.g., from your in-laws’ smart TV on Thanksgiving). Look, HBO is not going to require a fingerprint scan or Social Security number before you can watch the latest “True Detective” episode. Netflix and HBO want to make it as easy as possible to watch their streaming services if they started asking for your mother’s maiden name or some other proof you’re entitled to the goods, customers would get irritated. The real problem is, SVOD providers really can’t block unauthorized users if they have a legit password without instituting an additional form of authentication. And the goal is to encourage as much usage per account as possible, because that drives up the perceived value of the subscription, so such “virtual households” are tolerated. But anytime-anyplace multistream capabilities are a core part of why people love SVOD services. Is a college kid piggybacking off mom and dad’s Netflix account out of bounds? It’s a gray area. However, the account hit the login limits and has since been deactivated.But the reason subscription-video services are not moving to actively stamp out password sharing, at least for the time being, is that they don’t want to screw up the customer experience - especially as they’re in growth mode, adding new subscribers every month.įirst, think of it along the lines of the tech-biz maxim “it’s not a bug, it’s a feature.” Netflix and HBO Now are specifically designed for multiple (authorized) members of a household to watch on several different screens at once. The HBO team improvised to set up an account with the credentials immediately. Update: According to Variety, HBO heard that Samberg would joke about HBO’s password sharing, but only learned of the details live, along with TV viewers. So Andy’s HBO Now works… /70uB7cPMk0īest HBO marketing idea in a while. The account information gave for Now is actually very real, but it says: /YSf6eatWjK And now the account gives the error message that there are “too many devices in use.” Upon subsequent attempts, the account no longer works.Īs it turned out, much of America had the same idea to try the login as well. But to our surprise, the login actually worked. Of course, we tried the account immediately, assuming that it was a joke. “Gotta have a number in there, throw ’em off the scent,” said Samberg. The login details, in case you’re is the user name, and “password1” is the password.

Hbo now change password