Are We Still Netflix & Chilling?

Gen Z is saying goodbye to paid TV subscriptions and saying hello to free streaming platforms.

05.27.22
Are We Still Netflix & Chilling? (Erik Mclean via Unsplash)

Pre-pandemic, the term “Netflix and Chill” had some negative connotations, but COVID-19 forced us to literally subscribe to the streaming giant due to theaters closing and movie dates to be non-existent. 

Still, with the use of technology, we have been able to somewhat keep that reality to watch our favorite movies by using other streaming services to spend time with our best friend, or boo. 

During the pandemic, some people lost their jobs and had to cut costs. Subscription streaming options were a casualty. Free services like Peacock, Tubi, Roku and Sling TV took over and put the future of Netflix and others at risk.

“Consumers have always had many choices when it comes to their entertainment time – competition that has only intensified over the last 24 months as entertainment companies all around the world develop their own streaming offering,” Netflix said

In 2017, Netflix tweeted “Love is sharing a password.” 

That didn’t age well. 

It’s no secret that family and friends share passwords to access their favorite shows and movies, and for a while  — Netflix overlooked it, but due to its growing competition, the company wants users to start paying for password sharing because more than 100 million households are sharing accounts. If a crackdown doesn’t happen, the streaming service could lose more subscribers. 

Specifically, teens and college students will be affected because some rely on their parents to pay for the subscription and provide login information.

There hasn’t been a set date for changes, but Netflix users can expect changes as early as next year. 

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