File this under bah humbug: Peacock is the latest streaming service contemplating password sharing crackdowns. The platform, offering NBC shows, live entertainment and sports, will monitor accounts to see if they share passwords with people not living in their homes. In instances where they spot it through location tracking, they could disable access for account holders as a violation of the terms of service. The new terms of use go into effect on January 5.
While this is disappointing news, it isn’t surprising. Many streaming companies have implemented their own password cracking policies. Netflix was the first major streamer to do it and the gamble paid off: To the tune of millions of new subscribers.
Comcast hopes to replicate Netflix’s success with Peacock. The service increased prices over the summer, raising its ad-supported plan to $8 per month, and its ad-free option to $14 monthly. Even with the price-changes and password sharing crackdown, the platform is a good deal, especially if you like NBC or Bravo shows.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Peacock joins a growing list
Peacock is one of a handful of streaming services cracking down on password sharing. Here are a few others:
Netflix: You can use the same account for up to two devices on Standard and four on Premium, if each lives in the same location. Remote users will have to pay extra. Standard memberships can have one extra member, while Premium accounts can have two remote users. Extra member fees are $7.99 per month per person, which is very reasonable if you’re not on an ad-supported plan and want access.
Disney Plus: Extra member profiles (those outside of the home IP) will cost $6.99 for Basic subscriptions and $9.99 for Premium memberships. Each account is allowed one extra membership.
Hulu: Also cracks down on password sharing. If you try to share your login with anyone not living in your home, the platform can restrict access to remote accounts. Unlike Disney Plus, subscribers cannot pay extra to add a remote member yet.
Max: Also states they don’t tolerate password sharing and they might disable access to remote accounts. Like Peacock, Max isn't offering an option to add a remote account for an extra fee.
Save on streaming tips
- Evaluate use: It’s easy to forget which streaming services we have. That’s why when I go over my budget monthly, I’ll examine if we use the service enough to justify the cost. If we don’t, we’ll pause the membership and rotate it out with another, or cancel.
- Take advantage of bundled perks: Cell phone providers like Verizon and T-Mobile offer free subscriptions to Hulu, Apple TV Plus and Netflix, depending on the cell plan you choose. A Walmart Plus membership gives you access to a free Paramount Plus Essentials Plan. Spectrum, Comcast and Instacart Plus subscribers receive the ad-supported Peacock plan for free.
- Know when deals arrive: Black Friday is the best time of the year for streaming deals. You can score discounted rates on Hulu, Disney Plus, Max and Peacock.
- Use credit card perks: The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers up to a $10 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at disneyplus.com, Hulu.com, or Plus.espn.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
Related content
-
Should You Buy Gold as It Tops $4,000? Here's What the Experts SayRate cuts, a weak dollar and macro uncertainty have helped create a "perfect storm" for gold this year. Should investors add exposure or is it too late to buy?
-
Another IRS 1099-K Threshold Change to Know for Your 2025 TaxesTax Law After years of uncertainty and changing requirements, the 1099-K reporting rules for 2025 are now set, and the thresholds have changed since last year.
-
I Want to Retire, but I Have to Keep Working so My Adult Kids Have InsuranceIt's a tricky period when your adult child is under 26 but needs health insurance. We ask financial experts for advice.
-
Don't Let Your Equity Compensation Trip You Up: A Financial Expert's GuideStock options, RSUs and other executive perks can come with some serious strings attached. To avoid a nasty tax surprise, you need a plan.
-
I Work From Home, and These Are the Best Home Office Upgrades From October Prime Day and Anti-Prime Day SalesSpruce up your office for less with these sales. You could also qualify for tax credits with some upgrades.
-
Should You Replace Your Financial Adviser with AI?Financial Help Many people already ask AI for financial advice. But is it good enough to replace a human financial adviser?
-
Savvy Savings Moves to Make Now – Or You Could Lose ThousandsDespite a rate cut and inflation, these moves can still help you reach your savings goals quickly.
-
Escaping the New Golden Handcuffs: A Financial Expert Has a Plan for Today's ExecutivesFeeling stuck in your job? It could be your complicated compensation package, but it also could be where you live, your family or even how you view yourself.
-
A Comfortable Retirement is About More Than MoneyWhen it comes to a happy retirement, money can’t buy these things.
-
Four Ways a Massive Emergency Fund Can Hurt You More Than It HelpsSaving too much could mean you're missing opportunities to put your money to work. Redirect some of that money toward paying off debt, building retirement funds, fulfilling a dream or investing in higher-growth options.
