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Risk of Losing Netflix Access for Subscribers Paying Through Apple

Risk of Losing Netflix Access for Subscribers Paying Through Apple

There may soon be a big shift for Netflix subscribers who have been paying using iTunes: they might not be able to access their accounts. Members who were previously making payments through Apple’s platform would be impacted by the streaming behemoth’s start of eliminating access to iTunes billing plans. A Netflix spokesman stated that customers on the basic plan who paid using iTunes would now have to switch to direct credit or debit card payments.

Avoid Purchasing In-App Subscriptions

Risk of Losing Netflix Access for Subscribers Paying Through Apple

To avoid paying Apple a commission, Netflix stopped accepting new memberships through Apple devices in 2018. However, current customers who were making payments through iTunes may keep using that method. In order to maintain access to their accounts, consumers will now need to change their payment details directly with Netflix due to the termination of iTunes billing. This change is a major divergence from the prior setup and impacts users in the US and Canada, among other locations.

Effects on Subscriptions and Prices

Users who are used to the ease of iTunes billing could find the change unexpected. Over time, Netflix has changed its basic plan, which had cheaper prices. The firm no longer offers the $10 per month option. New subscribers now pay more for their subscriptions, which start at $15.49 per month for an ad-free watching experience, after a pricing rise. To keep their memberships active, those who paid through iTunes in the past will need to adapt to these new price levels.

User Experience and Policy Implementation

Affected users will be prompted by Netflix’s policy change to adjust their payment methods prior to the monthly membership renewal dates. Account access may be suspended if a new payment method is not added in a timely manner and updated billing information is not supplied. This action demonstrates Netflix’s attempts to simplify its charging procedures and lessen its need for outside marketplaces like Apple’s App Store.

The Debate Over Apple's In-App Purchases

Netflix’s move to discontinue iTunes billing is a response to a wider industry issue around in-app purchase fees levied by companies such as Apple. The internet giant’s 30% fee on in-app purchases has drawn criticism and legal challenges. Although Apple eased its regulations for some applications in 2021, enabling them to refer consumers to other payment methods, the discussion over app store policies and costs is still ongoing.

Users are advised to change their payment details as Netflix moves away from iTunes billing in order to guarantee continuous access to their preferred streaming content. This action emphasises the changing nature of digital subscriptions and draws attention to the ongoing discussion about the economics and user experience of the app store.

Apple's Vision Pro Headset Launching Soon - Here's What You Need to Know About Price and Availability

Apple Vision Pro’s Unexpected Launch Without YouTube, Spotify, or Netflix Apps

In a surprising move, Netflix Inc. has decided not to launch an app for Apple Inc.’s Vision Pro headset, slated to debut on Feb. 2. This decision by the world’s leading video subscription service is seen as a notable omission for the $3,499 headset, which Apple hopes will gain traction through entertainment content. Here’s a closer look at the situation and its potential implications.

While Apple is positioning the Vision Pro as a high-end entertainment device, Netflix’s refusal to support it with a dedicated app is raising eyebrows. Instead of creating a Vision Pro app or adapting its existing iPad app, Netflix suggests users enjoy its content on the web browser, a move that might inconvenience users and limit accessibility.

Vision Pro App Ecosystem: A Dual Approach

Apple's Vision Pro Headset Launching Soon - Here's What You Need to Know About Price and Availability

The Vision Pro is designed to run two types of apps: those specifically crafted for its interface and existing iPad applications. Apple aims to make it seamless for developers to transition their current iPad apps to the Vision Pro platform. However, Netflix’s unwillingness to even support the iPad approach indicates a cautious stance, perhaps adopting a wait-and-see strategy.

Netflix's Change of Heart

Interestingly, this decision contradicts Netflix’s statement in July, where it expressed plans to support its iPad app on the Vision Pro. While the streaming giant emphasizes users can access Netflix through the web browser, the lack of app support may restrict functionality, such as offline viewing and custom streaming environments.

As both Apple and Netflix vie for subscribers in the streaming industry, this move raises questions about the dynamics between the two giants. Apple, a relatively smaller player with less than 10% of the US market, is banking on Vision Pro’s success to compete with Netflix. The absence of a dedicated Netflix app might be a strategic choice to avoid aiding a rival in the highly competitive streaming landscape.

Impact on Users: Accessibility and Immersive Experience

Without a dedicated app, Vision Pro users may find it challenging to access Netflix content seamlessly, especially when offline. The absence of specialized immersive backdrops also limits the viewing experience, potentially affecting the headset’s appeal to avid Netflix watchers.

In conclusion, Netflix’s decision not to launch an app for Apple’s Vision Pro introduces a layer of complexity to the headset’s market entry. Whether this move is a strategic calculation or a missed opportunity, its impact on the user experience and the competitive landscape remains to be seen. As Apple gears up for preorders, the absence of a Netflix app could be a significant factor for potential buyers weighing their entertainment options.

Netflix

Netflix falls as benefits from password-sharing limit to take time

Netflix (NFLX.O) stock fell over eight percent on Thursday following the video streaming service giant sluggish revenue increase raised doubts about how quickly its new ventures will develop.

Thanks to repression on the sharing of passwords and the launch of a less expensive membership tier that is paired with commercials, the business attracted roughly 6 million customers in the second quarter, exceeding Wall Street’s estimates by nearly three times.

Netflix
Image Source: ctvnews.ca

Greg Peters, the company’s co-chief executive officer, warned that it would be several quarters before the results of those initiatives were seen because the quarterly sales growth and projection fell short of expectations.

On Thursday, Netflix stock had its second-worst day of the year, shedding roughly eighteen billion dollars in worth. The stock has risen approximately 48 percent to this point in 2023.

The industry was “realms away” from understanding if the highly-touted advertising tier could grow into the next money supplier according to Sophie Lund-Yates who is a Hargreaves Lansdown analyst. “Netflix must extract every bit of profit as possible through various avenues she also said.

Also Read: Google raising price of YouTube Premium to $13.99 per month

The business has been competing against Disney+ alongside Amazon Prime Video in a market that is beginning to show indications of overcrowding in the United States of America. The majority of the business’s new subscribers are from nations where it has lower costs.

“Some folks are using the result as an excuse to take some profits,” Pivotal Research Group analyst Jeffrey Wlodarczak said.

Source: reuters.com

Despite this, analysts continued to have a generally positive outlook for the company, with a minimum of 26 of them raising their price goals in anticipation of the new revenue-generating efforts accelerating the increase in revenue in the second quarter of 2023.

They stated that the current Hollywood dispute could not affect the streaming service’s slate until 2024, which might provide the firm an advantage over its rivals given that it has a strong schedule of programming.

The corporation also has a sizable global footprint, which gives it the opportunity to access a variety of non-American programming and protects it from the strike. The popularity of its non-English titles, including “Physical 100”, “The Glory,” and “Alice in Borderland,” has also increased.

“Every other streamer is now increasing prices, while Netflix is now extremely competitive with its ad tier. It is putting all the building blocks in place for future revenue growth,” PP Foresight analyst Paolo Pescatore said.

Source: reuters.com

Profile Transfer

What is Netflix’s new ‘Profile Transfer” feature?

Netflix has announced an update to its Profile Transfer feature, allowing users to transfer their profile preferences to an existing account instead of creating a new one.

In a recent blog post, Netflix stated that the updated feature is now available and no longer requires the creation of a new account. The company described the update as a “much-requested feature” and confirmed that it would be rolling out globally to all members. Users can easily transfer their profile preferences by selecting the profile icon and choosing the “Profile Transfer” option.

Profile Transfer
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From there, they can select “An Existing Account” and enter the email address and password for the account they wish to transfer their profile. Once the transfer is complete, the member will receive an email notification informing them that a profile has been moved over to their account.

This feature was initially launched in October 2022 and encouraged members to create new accounts to transfer their personal data, including customized recommendations, viewing history, and favorites list.

This feature served as a precursor to Netflix’s recent crackdown on password sharing, where users outside the account holder’s household are required to pay an additional monthly fee of $7.99 for their own membership.

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This update is particularly beneficial for users who are transitioning from living with their parents to sharing an account with a significant other or roommates. However, it’s important to note that if a user wants to transfer their profile to an account in a different household, they will be added as an extra member and will be charged the monthly fee.

Despite some online backlash regarding the new paid-sharing initiative, Netflix experienced a significant increase in daily sign-ups shortly after announcing the password-sharing rules. According to research firm Antenna, the streaming giant witnessed nearly 100,000 daily sign-ups within three days of the announcement.

In conclusion, Netflix’s update to the Profile Transfer feature allows users to easily transfer their profile preferences to an existing account, eliminating the need to create a new one. This feature enhances convenience for users transitioning between households while also reinforcing the company’s efforts to crack down on password sharing.

The update to Netflix’s new feature not only provides convenience for users transitioning between households, but it also strengthens the company’s commitment to ensuring fair usage of its services.

Despite initial concerns, the surge in daily sign-ups following the announcement suggests that many users are willing to embrace the changes. By offering this feature, Netflix aims to strike a balance between user convenience and maintaining the integrity of its membership policies.

Netflix

Netflix shareholders withhold support for executive pay package

In a non-binding vote on Thursday, Netflix Inc. (NFLX.O) shareholders decided not to endorse the company’s CEO pay package in response to a plea by Hollywood writers on strike to reject the proposed 2023 remuneration.

The Writers Guild of America West argued that such a vote would be “inappropriate” during the strike, which is now in its fifth week, and urged investors to vote against the remuneration package proposed to Netflix’s top executives.

Netflix
Image Source: broadcastandcablesat.co.in

Meredith Stiehm, president of the Writers Guild West, wrote: “Investors have long objected to Netflix’s executive pay, but the compensation structure is more egregious in light of the strike.”

Similar correspondence was submitted by the union to Comcast Corp., the parent company of NBCUniversal, which will conduct its annual shareholder meeting on June 7.

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According to Stiehm, if Netflix had the money to pay its top executives more than $166 million in salary last year, it could afford to pay authors who are looking for greater pay $68 million annually.

In a non-binding “say on pay” vote, Netflix shareholders declined to accept the CEO remuneration structure for 2023. The voting results, according to the firm, will be disclosed in a regulatory filing. Just 27% of the shareholder votes cast last year supported the company’s executive compensation plan.

Following the vote from the previous year, Netflix claimed to have made adjustments, such as implementing a wage cap for its co-chief executives and a performance-based bonus program. Executive Chairman Reed Hastings will make $500,000 in salary and $2.5 million in stock this year. CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters will share a $3 million yearly pay.

Sarandos is entitled to a bonus of up to $17 million and an extra $20 million in stock. Peters will receive up to $14.3 million in bonus money in addition to $17.3 million in shares. Executive salary for Hollywood executives is a point of discussion in negotiations, according to the union.

The top 10 pay packages given to CEOs of publicly traded firms in Equilar’s 2022 research included Endeavour CEO Ari Emanuel and Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav.

In an effort to get the media corporations back to the negotiating table, the union has been exerting pressure on them. The standoff over better pay, residuals, and working conditions caused contract negotiations to cease on May 1st. An additional difficulty is the application of artificial intelligence.

The Directors Guild’s current contract expires on June 30, and negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which is representing streamers like Netflix and the studios in those talks, are presently underway. On June 7, negotiations with the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA will start.

Netflix

Netflix Might Be Putting Its Video Games on TVs

Netflix has gradually increased the number of video games it offers, but at the moment, only mobile device users can access them. However, it appears that may soon change as a recent leak indicates that users might soon be able to play games on computers and televisions.

Scott Moser, an iOS developer, claims that the Netflix iOS app contains code that indicates the inclusion of a function that will let users use their iPhones as controllers for video games.

Netflix
Image Source: netflix.com

Netflix users will have to make do with the current way for the time being, though, as this has not yet been formally announced. Currently, there are about 55 titles in the Netflix library, but 40 more games will be released over the course of 2023.

Also Read: E3 2023 has been canceled. But Why?

In 2021, the dominant streaming service introduced its gameplay platform for Android, iPhones, and iPads. Due to guidelines established by Apple and Google, mobile users need to download games only from the App Store or from Google Play.

However, because the goal of these games is to improve user engagement and retention, they can only be accessed with an active Netflix subscription and can be started via the Netflix app.

These titles are noticeably missing from the app for TV. It’s unclear how the business plans to set up gaming on TVs or whether users will need to download the video games in order to enjoy them.

But according to Netflix’s VP of game development Mike Verdu, the company is “seriously exploring a cloud gaming offering” and plans to release more than just light-hearted games for television.

Expanding the number of platforms on which games are available may increase their appeal to users. A little over one percent of Netflix subscribers, according to a report from last year, regularly play the company’s games.

There are a number of possible explanations for this, one of which is the likelihood that many subscribers are unaware that they can stream games using the service. A significant portion of players also has no interest in engaging in mobile games.

Expanding the number of gadgets that support Netflix games could be extremely beneficial in both cases. Despite these difficulties, Netflix continues to develop its gaming strategy by acquiring in-house companies to produce exclusive titles and by providing new games to play.

Also Read: Netflix founder Reed Hastings stepping down as co-CEO

Lovers of Netflix’s games will currently just have to wait in anticipation to find out if and when this new feature might be released. Right now, Netflix Games serves more as a fun bonus than as an enticing feature for Netflix.

That might change, though, if more people start playing those games. Corporations like Google have had a difficult time converting players to video game streaming, which continues to be in its infancy.