Max Starts Selling ‘Extra Member’ Accounts, as Warner Bros. Discovery Follows Netflix’s Lead in Cracking Down on Password-Sharing

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Warner Bros. Discovery aims to generate extra income by identifying Max subscribers who are currently sharing their accounts with others, and encouraging them to upgrade to individual accounts.

On Tuesday, Max introduced the Extra Member Sharing Option in the U.S., costing $7.99 per month. This allows a primary account holder to extend their Max account privileges by inviting an external acquaintance (either friend or family member not residing under the same roof) to establish their own, independent account with an adult profile, all while being subscribed to the same plan. The introduction of Max’s Extra Member feature follows the announcement made by WBD executives about imposing limitations on sharing streaming accounts beyond a single household.

In the year 2023, Netflix unveiled a strategy to combat unauthorized password sharing, a move that has been praised for its success by executives and is said to have significantly increased revenue via shared account options. Likewise, Disney+ rolled out an “Additional Member” feature late in 2021.

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In 2023, Netflix took steps to address password sharing without authorization, a move that has been applauded for its success by executives and has contributed to revenue growth through shared account options. Meanwhile, Disney+ introduced an “Extra Member” option in fall of 2021.

Individual Max Additional Users will receive distinct login details, differing from the main account. Each extra user can stream content from one profile on a single device concurrently, while enjoying all the additional perks that come with the primary account holder’s subscription package.

The cost for this particular feature is $7.99 per month, irrespective of the subscription tier for eligible users. At present, the Extra Member Add-On can be availed by users who sign up directly with Max (excluding those with bundle subscriptions), and each account is entitled to only one such add-on.

When a Max account’s primary user extends an invitation for another person to join as an additional member, they have the option to move one adult profile, which includes the viewing history, suggestions, and settings connected to that profile, to the new Max account.

JB Perrette, CEO and president of global streaming and games at Warner Bros Discovery, highlighted the introduction of two significant improvements, the Extra Member Add-On and Profile Transfer. These advancements are designed to enhance our top-tier content experience, offering viewers a superior value while providing subscribers with more control over their accounts. The new features enable current subscribers to effortlessly add another user to their account or seamlessly transfer the profile of users residing outside of their household, ensuring that the additional member can continue enjoying Max uninterrupted.

Max offers a diverse selection of content, encompassing shows from HBO, Warner Bros., A24, Adult Swim, and the DC Universe, as well as original and licensed productions. This lineup includes the latest seasons of “The Last of Us” from HBO, Max’s original series “Hacks,” and upcoming debuts such as “Duster” by J.J. Abrams (May 15), season two of “Conan O’Brien Must Go” (May 8), and “Peacemaker” (August). Additionally, Max serves as the streaming platform for other HBO originals like “The White Lotus,” “The Penguin,” “House of the Dragon,” and Warner Bros. Pictures’ films such as “Barbie,” “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” both “Dune” films, as well as series like “Friends” and “The Big Bang Theory.

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2025-04-22 22:17