See the end of the article to see how many users can share their usernames on each service.
The streaming service Viaplay is starting to restrict the sharing of user IDs between friends or family members. In future, users will only be able to watch the same live sports broadcast on one device at a time.
The restriction does not apply to series and films.
Viaplay justifies the restrictions by saying that it will find it difficult to continue investing in sporting events if viewers share accounts outside their household.
Other services also intervene in the sharing of user accounts contrary to the terms of the contract.
The streaming giant Netflix intends for one hundred million households to use the service without paying for it. At that time, the company had 222 million paying customers.
Ruutu tells Yle that he also plans to prevent the sharing of identifiers.
On the other hand, for example, the streaming service C More is not going to beat Viaplay.
Up until now, streaming services have generally prohibited the sharing of usernames to people outside of their own household in the terms of the contract. In practice, however, not everyone has prevented or monitored it. Thus, many are used to sharing streaming IDs in their close circle.
How streaming services restrict token sharing
Yle found out which streaming services have already prevented the sharing of IDs outside of one’s own household. We also tested how many terminals can use the services at the same time.
Yle tested streaming services on four different end devices that used three different network connections. Sports broadcast services tested watching live sports broadcasts.
*You can discuss the topic on 27.1. until 11 p.m.*
*More on the subject in Yle’s Uutispodcast:*