Starting April 2, 2025, TVING, a popular streaming service in South Korea, is set to enforce a significant change in its account sharing policy that could impact many of its users. This new regulation states that only the account holder can access their TVING account, with exceptions made solely for household members who reside together.
In an announcement, TVING explained the rationale behind this decision, stating, "In accordance with our terms of service, account access is limited to the account holder and cannot be shared with third parties. We consider the circumstances of living together with household members in our account sharing policy." This indicates that while the service remains open to families and others living in the same household, it aims to curb instances of account sharing outside of this grouping.
The specifics of the new policy will see TVING automatically registering standard devices based on the account holder's TV viewing history. Any devices that do not belong to the same household will trigger a usage restriction message, but a temporary viewing option will be provided, allowing users to bypass this limitation under certain conditions.
For households that do not use devices registered in the account holder’s home, a verification process may be required to access the service. This measure aims to prevent unauthorized sharing of accounts outside of designated household members. If consumers encounter a device that falls outside this category, the platform may limit their viewing until verification is completed, ensuring adherence to this policy change.
At present, TVING offers simultaneous viewing across multiple devices, allowing two streams for standard subscriptions and four for premium subscribers. However, with the new restrictions in place, these terms could shift, and subscribers may need to be more conscious of their viewing habits and how they share their accounts.
Interestingly, the company has partnered with platforms like Picklplus, offering a premium subscription at a highly competitive rate of 4,740 KRW per month compared to its original price of 17,000 KRW. This move has made the premium subscription more accessible to viewers but might also alter as the new sharing policy kicks in.
TVING has gained visibility as the exclusive broadcaster of Korean professional baseball and is also preparing to launch highly anticipated dramas like I Will Die Soon and Shinbyeong3. As broadcasting content evolves, so too do the measures surrounding account usage, reflecting a growing trend in the streaming industry.
The shifting landscape of digital media entails more stringent measures regarding account access and sharing, particularly as services look to maximize revenue while protecting content. TVING's move to tighten its account sharing policy resonates with a broader push among streaming platforms to enforce terms of service and reduce lost revenue from account sharing.
Users of TVING should be prepared for these changes come April 2. The revised policy signifies a significant shift in how households will utilize the service. Subscribers are encouraged to ensure they are familiar with how their devices will be classified and understand the verification process to avoid any potential disruptions in viewing.
As consumers adapt to these new measures, it remains to be seen how service usage will evolve in the competitive streaming market. The balance between user-friendly access and stringent enforcement of terms will likely shape the future of streaming platforms in South Korea.
