Max to implement password sharing restrictions by late 2024

HBO Max, prevoiusly known as HBOMax, plans to implement password sharing restrictions, following in the footsteps of Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu. The announcement was made by JB Perrette, Warner Bros. Discovery's (WBD) head of global streaming and games, at the Morgan Stanley’s Technology, Media & Telecom conference. The initiative is expected to begin in late 2024.

The objective of the move is to combat stagnant subscription rates and foster growth. WBD intends to roll out these measures in European markets in the second and third quarters of the year. This decision is in line with recent updates to the terms of service by Disney Plus and Hulu, which now restrict sharing login details with people not part of the subscriber's household.

The clampdown is expected to drive new subscriptions for Max, potentially benefiting shareholders in the short term. Critics, however, caution that such measures could make the streaming industry less appealing to consumers, possibly leading to customer attrition. In these cases, we always like to share our roundup of some of the top free alternatives to streaming services.