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Netflix to end password sharing in 2023: Why is it happening?

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Netflix

The year has been chaotic maker Netflix since there was a constant downfall seen in the subscribers base in the first quarter when the platform show a loss of 200,000 subscribers due to ruthless competition. Password sharing is one of the factors that lead to the sudden downfall of the users of the platform. The company was a little skeptical to take a move regarding the issue due to the fear of subscriber alienation. Given a push by the recent subscriber losses, the company has now given its stand to put an end to password sharing in the coming year. Anyone wanting to get access to the platform will be asked to pay for the same.

The company says that more than 100 million Netflix viewers consume the content by borrowing passwords from family members or friends. Netflix is trying to put an end to this situation starting in 2023 by asking for an additional amount for sharing accounts. The United States (US) will possibly be used as the testing base for the decision where the additional charge will start rolling out in early 2023. 

The company has also started testing additional fees for password sharing in some Latin American countries, charging around $3 extra. The first subscribers or the actual subscribers of the platform in these countries have to provide a verification code for the outsider wanting to access the platform. 

The platform is also considering charging a fee from the account sharers which will be slightly low than the $6.99 ad-supported plan. This will encourage the borrowers to subscribe to the platform rather than accessing the platform from other owners. To ensure no alternative to the password-sharing rules, the company will use device IDs, IP addresses, and various account activities.

Why Netflix is making this change?

The platform has been battling with the password-sharing issue for the past few years and has been delaying any move due to negative repercussions from the consumer side, as stated in a Wall Street Journal report. The pandemic lead to a surge of subscribers in 2020 and therefore avoided taking any action regarding the issue. But now the situation has changed and the company is finding it an issue that needs to be addressed soon. Spencer Neumann CEO of Netflix said during the earnings call that the company is “not growing as fast as they did like” which bring them to the decision to address the issue of password sharing.

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OTT News In India

Naaptol Partners with Phando to Launch New OTT Platform

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OTT Platform for Naaptol and technology by Phando

The Indian streaming market has seen a massive boom in recent years, with more and more consumers shifting their focus from traditional cable and satellite TV to over-the-top (OTT) platforms. This trend has resulted in a surge of investments in the Indian OTT industry, with both domestic and international players vying for a share of the market. In such a competitive landscape, Naaptol, a leading online shopping platform in India, has partnered with Phando, a premier provider of OTT solutions, to launch a new OTT platform that could potentially shake up the market. 

 

Introducing Naaptol’s New OTT Platform 

Naaptol’s new OTT platform is a welcome addition to the Indian streaming market. The platform promises high-quality content anytime and anywhere, with a focus on quality, convenience, and affordability. With a variety of subscription plans available, users can choose the plan that best suits their needs and budget. 

 

Features of Naaptol’s New OTT Platform 

Naaptol’s new OTT platform boasts several features that set it apart from the competition. The platform will feature content from leading Indian and international creators, catering to a wide range of preferences and interests. The content will be available in multiple languages, making it accessible to a diverse audience. Naaptol has also promised to regularly update the platform with fresh content to keep users engaged. 

The platform’s user interface is simple and easy to navigate, ensuring a seamless streaming experience. Users can also create multiple profiles within a single account, allowing for personalized recommendations and viewing histories. 

The partnership with Phando has enabled Naaptol to incorporate cutting-edge technology solutions into the platform. Phando’s expertise in the OTT space has helped Naaptol offer an engaging and seamless streaming experience to its users. The platform’s advanced technology solutions include features such as adaptive streaming, which automatically adjusts the video quality based on the user’s internet speed. 

 

Partnership with Phando 

Phando is a premier OTT solutions provider in India, offering advanced technology services to businesses across the globe. The partnership with Naaptol has enabled Phando to showcase its expertise in the OTT space by providing cutting-edge solutions to help Naaptol launch and operate its own streaming platform. 

Deepak Joshi, CEO of Phando, expressed his excitement about the partnership, saying, “We are excited to partner with Naaptol to help launch their new OTT platform. Our advanced technology solutions and expertise in the OTT space will enable Naaptol to offer an engaging and seamless streaming experience to its users.”

 

Expansion Strategy of Naaptol 

The launch of the new OTT platform is part of Naaptol’s strategy to diversify its product portfolio and expand its reach across India. The company aims to leverage its vast customer base and brand equity to establish itself as a leading player in the Indian OTT market.

 

Conclusion  

In conclusion, the partnership between Naaptol and Phando to launch a new OTT platform is an exciting development for the Indian streaming industry. With Naaptol’s vast customer base and Phando’s expertise in the OTT space, the platform has the potential to become a leading player in the Indian market. The focus on quality, convenience, and affordability will make it an attractive option for users looking for a seamless streaming experience. Overall, the launch of the new OTT platform by Naaptol and Phando is an exciting development for the Indian streaming industry, and it has the potential to revolutionize the way users consume entertainment content. 

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OTT News In India

Amazon India acquires MX Player at discounted price

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Amazon India has recently acquired the OTT platform MX Player from Times Internet Ltd, signaling a strategic move by Amazon to expand its presence in the Indian digital media space. Although the exact amount of the markdown is unknown, it is estimated to be around $45-50 million, which translates to approximately Rs 350-Rs 400 crore. TIL had purchased MX Player for an estimated sum of Rs 1,000 crore in 2018.

Despite attempts to seek clarification, MX Player CEO Karan Bedi and Times Internet’s Vineet Jain have yet to respond to requests for comment. However, Amazon Prime Video stated earlier this week that they do not comment on speculation or rumors. According to sources familiar with the matter, a deal between Amazon and TIL has been finalized, with final payments expected to be completed by June 30th of this year. Amazon had enlisted the services of a top consulting firm to conduct due diligence on the transaction. MX Player’s CEO Karan Bedi is said to receive approximately one-third of the deal’s value, with the remainder going to other shareholders. Bedi is expected to remain in charge of the platform for another year. It is noteworthy that despite being the most downloaded app in India and the third most downloaded OTT app globally in 2022, MX Player is being sold at a price nearly 25% lower than its acquisition four years ago. This information was revealed in the State of Mobile 2023 report by data.ai.

About MX Player

MX Player was initially launched as a video player on July 18th, 2011, in Korea. In 2019, the platform was relaunched as an OTT platform with a focus on producing original content. When TIL acquired the platform, it was considered a daring move, particularly given that the company’s previous OTT venture, BoxTV.com, was discontinued in 2016 after four years of operation. However, TIL, the digital subsidiary of media giant Times Group, has decided to sell the OTT platform after operating it for four years.

Growth Expectations for Amazon

Following the acquisition, Amazon Prime Video is poised to experience a four-fold increase in consumer acquisition. While Amazon has roughly 28 million users in India, MX Player boasts nearly 78 million users. This transaction has the potential to intensify India’s OTT competition, particularly at a time when the industry is facing growth challenges and with Reliance Group entering the market. Viacom18 has made a significant move by streaming IPL for free on JioCinema, accessible to users on all telecom networks, as it seeks to gain as many users as possible. Meanwhile, Viacom18 has committed Rs 24,000 crore to acquire IPL’s digital media rights for five years.

In a nutshell, Amazon India has reportedly acquired MX Player from Times Internet Ltd. (TIL) for a reduced price after multiple rounds of negotiations. Although the exact markdown amount is unknown, it is estimated to be around $45-50 million. Following the acquisition, Amazon Prime Video is expected to grow four-fold in terms of consumer acquisition, with MX Player’s nearly 78 million users added to Amazon’s existing user base of approximately 28 million in India. The deal has the potential to intensify India’s OTT competition, particularly with the entry of Reliance Group. Viacom18 has also made a significant move in this regard by streaming IPL for free on JioCinema, accessible to users on all telecom networks, as it seeks to gain as many users as possible.

 

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High Court extends Centre’s deadline for reporting on social media and OTT content regulations

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OTT Content Regulation

In response to the Delhi High Court’s earlier direction, the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) has been granted additional time to update the court on its progress towards regulating content on social media and over-the-top (OTT) platforms. The court had instructed MEITY to enforce stricter rules for intermediaries, in accordance with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, and to enact further legislation as necessary.  

Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma issued an order on April 12th, directing Monika Arora, Standing Counsel for the Union of India, to accept notice on behalf of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which are responsible for addressing the matter under consideration. Arora requested more time to prepare a response. 

In a case before the high court, urgent attention was being given to the need for establishing rules and guidelines for regulating content on social media and over-the-top (OTT) platforms. The court emphasized the importance of addressing the use of vulgar language on these platforms, which can be accessed by young children. The court scheduled a follow-up hearing for the matter on April 25.  

The high court strongly criticized the use of offensive language in the TVF web series ‘College Romance’, stating that the use of vulgar language that objectifies women as sexual objects is degrading and can make women feel victimized. The court expressed concern about the negative impact of such language on women’s dignity and well-being. 

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