Shamontiel L. Vaughn
If you’re spending your socially isolating weekends relaxing and watching Netflix, you better be paying for it. The entertainment streaming site is looking into ways to prevent Netflix users from sharing passwords.
Although it’s in the terms of agreement, following this rule is touch-and-go for some: “To maintain control over the account and prevent anyone from accessing the account (which could include information on viewing history for the account), the Account Owner should maintain control over the Netflix ready devices that are used to access the service and not reveal the password or details of the Payment Method associated to the account to anyone.”
And, according to a recent CNN report, they’re taking steps to make sure this rule is followed. On a shared Netflix account via the mobile app, a pop-up may come up to ask users to verify the account holder’s identity via text or email. While the viewer may choose to verify the Netflix account holder later, expect that pop-up to come up again at an unspecified time. If it’s not done the second time, a prompt will come up to create a new, paid account.
The number of account holders this will affect is unclear at this time. With more people at home since March 2020, Netflix membership has increased from 182 million to 203 million from Quarter 1 in 2020 to Quarter 4 at the end of last year. And with some movie theaters closing permanently, including Regal Theater’s 536 locations, streaming sites have become the go-to place for original movies and sitcoms, along with other forms of entertainment.
As far as what Netflix has to offer in 2021, users have almost 80 new and returning shows to look forward. Here are a few updates:
2021 cancellations:
“Dear White People” Season 4 (canceled after its final season this year)
“On My Block” Season 4 (canceled after its final season this year)
2021 renewals/new shows:
“Big Mouth” Seasons 5-6 (starring Jordan Peele, Maya Rudolph and Ayo Edebiri, who already took over as the voice of Missy in place of Jenny Slate)
“#BlackAF” Season 2 (starring Kenya Barris, the creator of “Black-ish” and “Mixed-ish”)
“Bling Empire” Season 2 (starring Christine Chiu)
“Bridgerton” Season 2 (starring Regé-Jean Page, Jason Barnett and Adjoa Andoh)
“Family Reunion” Season 2 (starring Tia Mowry, Loretta Devine and Richard Roundtree; note that Parts 1 and 2 were both from Season 1)
“Gentefied” Season 2 (starring J.J. Soria)
“Kim’s Convenience” Season 5 (starring Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Jean Yoon, Andrea Bang and Simu Liu)
“Mr. Iglesias” Season 2 (starring Gabriel Iglesias)
“Never Have I Ever” Season 2 (created by Mindy Kaling)
“Rhythm + Flow” Season 2 (first-round winner was D Smoke)
Click here for updates on more 2021 Netflix shows on other streaming platforms, along with HBO, Showtime, Hulu and more.
