Can I share my streaming service?

In a world where a brand-new streaming service seems to pop up every week, it only makes sense to share the love with friends and family so everyone can stream content they love. 

However, the rules of the game are changing. Many streaming platforms have restrictions on the number of people who can use a streaming account, as well as when and where they can use it. 

To make the pros and cons of each streaming service a little clearer, here’s a list of popular streaming services and how they can be shared. 

Note: This information is correct as of 1 July 2024, and may change in the future. 

Amazon Prime Video 

• Prime Video has a single subscription tier that allows for 3 streams at once. 

• If you want to watch the same thing simultaneously on multiple devices, you’re limited to two devices at a time.  

• Users of the account don’t need to be in the same house. 

Apple TV+ 

• Apple TV+ allows up to six streams at the same time. 

• Apple TV+ uses Apple’s ‘Family Sharing’ feature. This lets up to six other people with (their own Apple ID) to use your Apple TV+ account, as well as other Apple services, like Apple Music.  

• Not everyone needs to be in the same house, but they must be in the same country when using Family Sharing. 

BINGE 

• The number of devices that can stream at once varies based on what plan you select: 

• ‘Basic’: one 

• ‘Standard’: two 

• ‘Premium’: four  

• Users must be in Australia. 

• Binge allows for up to 5 ‘Profiles’ to be made that allows different people to use the account at the one time. Profiles on the account don’t need to live in the same house. 

BritBox 

• BritBox allows 4 devices to login to the same account at once.  

• If you add a fifth device, the oldest device will be removed. 

• All users must be in Australia. 

Disney+ 

• Disney+ has two subscription tiers: 

• ‘Standard’: Allows two devices to stream at once. 

• ‘Premium’: Allows four devices to stream at once. 

• Members of the same household can use the account, even when outside of the house or while travelling.  

• Disney+ are beginning to introduce a paid option to share an account with others. This is currently being tested in Canada, Great Britain, and the US. It’s not clear if, or when, this will come to Australia. 

Foxtel Now 

• Foxtel Now allows for up to 5 devices to be registered to the account at once, but only two of those devices can stream at the one time.  

• You can register and de-register devices as much as you like. 

• All users must be in Australia. 

Paramount+ 

• The number of devices able to access Paramount+ at once is based on what plan you’re on: 

• ‘Basic with ads’: can support one device at a time. 

• ‘Standard’: can support two devices at once. 

• ‘Premium’: can support four devices at once. 

• Users can stream outside Australia, but content may vary based on location. 

Netflix 

• The number of devices able to stream at once depends on your plan: 

• ‘Standard with ads’: two devices at once. 

• ‘Standard’: two devices at once. 

• ‘Premium’: four devices at once and, you can download data on six devices at once. 

• Netflix allows you to purchase an ‘extra member slot’ within Standard and Premium plans (but not Standard with ads). This allows someone outside the household to use Netflix.  

• That extra member must have their own account, but it will be paid for by the primary household.  

• ‘Standard’ allows one ‘extra member slot’, and ‘Premium’ allows two. 

• The primary account and the extra member account must have been created in the same country. 

Stan 

• The number of devices that can stream at once depends on your plan: 

• ‘Basic’: Allows one device to stream at a time and one phone, or tablet, to download video. 

• ‘Standard’: Allows three devices to stream at once and three phones, or tablets, to download video. 

• ‘Premium’: Allows four devices to stream at once and five phones, or tablets, to download video. 

• Users must be in Australia. 

Now that you know how your streaming service can be shared, all that’s left to do, is argue with your family and friends over who’s favourite show is better. While we can’t dissect every season of Love Island or The Bachelor in this article, if you do need help winning your debate, head over to our socials and we’ll help you take a stand, so you can rule the couch at your next family gathering. Happy binging!