ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

Tech

Subscriber growth slowing Streaming services to end password sharing NEW YORK, May 17, (AP): Many of us were taught to share as kids. Now streaming services ranging from Netflix to Amazon to Disney+ want us to stop. That’s the new edict from the giants of streaming media, who are hoping to discourage the common practice of sharing account passwords without alien- ating subscribers who’ve grown accustomed to the hack. Password sharing is estimated to cost streaming services several billion dollars a year in lost revenue. That’s a small problem now for an industry that earns about $120 billion annually, but something it needs to address as spending on distinctive new program- ing skyrockets. Amazon’s upcoming “Lord of the Rings” series will reportedly cost $450 million for its first season alone — more than four times the cost of a season of HBO’s “Game of Thrones.” “Frankly the industry has been gravitating toward that. It’s a question of when, not if,” said CFRA analyst Tuna Amobi. “The landscape seems to be pretty set in terms of these new entrants, so it seems like a good time to get a much Iger better handle on subscribers.” It’s a tricky balance. The video companies have long offered legitimate ways for multiple people to use a service, by creating pro- files or by offering tiers of service with different This image released by Miss Universe Organization shows Miss Universe Mexico 2020 Andrea Meza who was crowned Miss Universe at the 69th Miss Universe levels of screen sharing allowed. Stricter password Competition at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla on May 16. (AP) sharing rules might spur more people to bite the bul- let and pay full price for their own subscription. But Andrea Meza of Mexico crowned 69th Miss Universe a too-tough clampdown could also alienate users and drive them away. Andrea Meza of Mexico has been to make sure it would stay in place as The pageant was hosted by “Access months planning a safe competition that In March some Netflix users began to get pop- crowned Miss Universe. Meza beamed and took her first walk Hollywood’s” Mario Lopez and actor followed similar guidelines as last No- ups asking them to verify their account by entering Meza, who has a software engi- to the front of the stage. and model Olivia Culpo, the 2012 Miss vember’s 2020 Miss USA competition a code sent via email or text, but also gave them the neering degree, beat out Miss Brazil Tunzi, a public relations profession- Universe. It was broadcast live from the held in Memphis. choice of verifying “later.” Netflix did not say how at the end of the night, screaming al who became the first Black woman Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino The Miss Universe competition airs many people were part of the test or if it was only in Sunday when the announcer shouted from South Africa to win the contest, Hollywood in Hollywood, Florida. in more than 160 territories and coun- the US or elsewhere. “Viva Mexico!” had held the title since December Ahead of the pageant, Paula M. tries across the globe including in the “They’ll be taking a very cautious approach to it,” Previous winner Zozibini Tunzi fit 2019. Last year’s ceremony was can- Shugart, president of the Miss Universe US on the FYI channel and on Tel- Amobi said. “Handled the wrong way, there’s always the crown on Meza’s head and waited celed due to the pandemic. Organization, stated that they had spent emundo. (AP) a downside to a move like this.” Competitors The test comes at a crucial time for Netflix. Last year’s pandemic-fueled subscriber growth is slow- ing. It remains the streaming service to beat with Music more than 200 million subscribers globally. But a bevy of new competitors have emerged, including Disney+, which is cheaper and has quickly snapped up 100 million subscribers in less than two years. ‘We need this contest to feel connected again’ When Disney+ launched in 2019, then CEO Bob Iger said the service was modeled on sharing. “We’re setting up a service that is very family- friendly, we expect families to be able to consume Eurovision returns despite pandemic it — four live streams at a time, for instance,” he said in a CNBC interview. “We’ll watch it carefully with , Netherlands, May was actually chosen before the pan- and she was welcomed back. various tools, technology tools, that we have avail- 17, (AP): Pounding beats? Check. demic derailed public life around the She and her band are among 39 able to us to monitor it. But it’s obviously something Uplifting lyrics? Check. Huge, back- globe, but is now very apt as Europe national entrants vying for a coveted we have to watch.” lit white wings? Check. begins to tentatively emerge from victory that can be a springboard to Roughly two in five online adults have shared After last year’s Eurovision Song the coronavirus pandemic. a global career or a fl eeting taste of passwords to online accounts with friends or family members, according to the Pew Center for Internet Contest was canceled amid the glob- “We decided to keep the theme . and Technology. Among millennials it’s even high- al COVID-19 pandemic, it is roaring because, especially in these times, For many, the stage and global er: 56% of online adults ages 18- to 29 have shared In this photo provided by Radio Tele- back to life this year with coronavi- it’s important that we are open to- television audience of millions is a passwords. vision Hong Kong (RTHK), DJ, Ray rus bubbles added to its heady mix of wards each other and that we feel chance to express messages of inclu- “With the cost of all the streaming platforms Cordeiro, also known as Uncle Ray, music and melodrama. the possibility to open up to one sion and positivity. bought together equaling a cable bill — which it was (center), poses with Hong Kong National delegations traveling to another, to show our true feelings, Russia’s performer, , supposed to eliminate — I think it’s a great thing to singer Sam Hui, (left), and his wife the Dutch port city of Rotterdam emotions and thoughts,” Bakker sings a song whose lyrics in- be able to share your login to help family and friends Rebecca at the studio in RTHK, the are abiding by strict measures to said. clude the lines: “Every Russian broadcaster in Hong Kong on Feb. reduce the risk of infections, while Woman. Needs to know. You’re save a few bucks,” said Ryan Saffell, 39, an IT direc- 14. After more than seven decades in The 2019 Dutch winner, Duncan tor from Las Vegas. radio, the 96-year-old Hong Kong DJ the thousands of fans allowed to Laurence, says on the event’s web- strong enough to bounce against Another study found more than a quarter of all bid farewell to his listeners Saturday, attend dress rehearsals, two semifi- site that he sees music as a way of the wall.” video streaming services are used by multiple house- May 15 with ‘Time to Say Goodbye,’ nals and May 22’s grand final will forging links. “That’s why we need The singer, whose family fl ed to holds. That includes a family or friend sharing the sung by Sarah Brightman and Andrea have to undergo testing to ensure the . To feel Russia from Tajikistan, said the mes- account they pay for outside of the household, or, Bocelli. (AP) they do not bring the virus into the connected again.” sage is for women all over the world less commonly, several households splitting the cost. cavernous venue. Thousands of fans will be able to “because we need to be, we have to And 16% of all households have at least one service Executive producer Sietse Bakker make the connection in person. be brave. We need to be happier. And that is fully paid for by someone else according to the Variety is glad it’s going ahead at all. Each event will be open to 3,500 I’m happy that I can inspire them on study by Leichtman Research Group. That increases “Organizing the Eurovision Song people — only about 20% of the that stage because, you know, Euro- to 26% for 18- to 34-year-olds. Contest is always challenging be- capacity of the arena — who must vision stage is the one of the hugest Sharing or stealing streaming service passwords HONG KONG: After more than seven cause you have less than a year to show a negative test result that is less stages in the world.” cost an estimated $2.5 billion in revenue in 2019 ac- decades in radio, a 96-year-old Hong organize one of the biggest and most than 24 hours old. Maltese singer Destiny also has cording to the most recent data from research firm Kong DJ bid farewell to his listeners complex events in Europe, but to do a message of body positivity and Park Associates, and that’s expected to rise to nearly Saturday with “Time to Say Goodbye,” it in a pandemic is much, much more Performance is tipped to take it to the fi nal. The $3.5 billion by 2024. sung by Sarah Brightman and Andrea complicated,” he told The Associ- The top 10 from each semifi nal 18-year-old’s powerful voice helped That may be a small fraction of the $119.69 billion Bocelli. ated Press. joins France, Germany, Italy, Spain her win the Junior Eurovision con- eMarketer predicts people will spend on US video “Well that’s it. Thank you very much Despite the pandemic measures, and the United Kingdom — together test and reach the semifi nals of Brit- subscriptions this year. But subscriber growth is for tuning in, goodbye, thank you for with host country the Netherlands — slowing, and costs are increasing. coming,” Ray Cordeiro said in both the contest that aims to unite Europe ain’s Got Talent in 2017. English and Cantonese before signing off in song is continuing its 65-year tra- in the fi nal. Voting is conducted in Amid the many over-the-top per- Content ahead of the 1 am news. dition of upbeat fun. each participating country by a panel formances, the relatively restrained Companies are investing dizzying sums to produce It was the coda to a radio career that Fans near the Ahoy arena can get of music industry experts and view- song “Voilà” by French singer Bar- own original movies and shows and stand out from began 72 years ago, and a more than 50- into the swing of the event early. ers. bara Pravi has emerged as the book- competitors. Disney+ said it’ll spend up to $16 bil- year run for his show “All the Way with Traffi c lights at a pedestrian walk- The pandemic forced the cancella- makers’ favorite. lion a year on new content for Disney+, Hulu and Ray,” which started on public broad- way outside the venue have been tion of last year’s event and this year Cyprus’ performer Elena Tsa- caster RTHK in 1970. Along the way, he prevented Australian singer Mont- ESPN+ by fiscal 2024. Netflix is expected to spend rubbed shoulders with the likes of Tony transformed so that a green fi gure grinou has already been in the $19 billion on originals this year, research firm Bankr Bennett, the Beatles and Cliff Richard dances to Abba’s iconic 1974 win- aigne from fl ying to Rotterdam. The spotlight after Orthodox Christian estimates. and nurtured rising Hong Kong pop stars ning song “Waterloo” when it’s safe Netherlands is hosting the event be- faithful on the Mediterranean island “Programming spend is doubling, or in some cas- such as Sam Hui. to cross. cause the country won the last time protested that it promoted satanic es tripling and quadrupling, so you have to fund it In 2000, the Guinness Book of World The immensely popular event the contest was held, in 2019. worship. somewhere.” CFRA’s Amobi said. “Most services Records acknowledged Cordeiro as “The mixes high camp — at rehears- is still taking part, but Tsagrinou says her song, “El Di- are looking at losses for the next few years before World’s Most Durable DJ.” als, Norway’s Andreas Haukeland, by sending in a recorded live perfor- abolo,” which she performs fl anked they break even. So they can use every subscription Affectionately called “Uncle Ray,” known as , performed his song mance. by four dancers in skin-tight red cos- that they can get.” Cordeiro is known for his deep, calm voice, trademark fl at cap, and easy listen- “Fallen Angel” in huge white wings She’s not the only one missing tumes, was misinterpreted and is ac- Another way to finance all this new programing — with lyrics encouraging inclusion out. The mother of Dutch entrant tually about an abusive relationship is to raise prices. Netflix hiked the price of its most ing repertoire. (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑ and positivity while avoiding politi- also is unable to between two lovers. popular plan by $1 last October, to $14 a month. cal messages. attend as she can’t travel from her She laughs off the controversy Disney+ followed in March with its own $1 a month MUSKOGEE, Okla: Netfl ix’s “Tiger Belarus was booted out before the home in Suriname. Swedish singer that saw protesters hold up wooden increase, to $8. King” star Jeff Lowe and his wife are contest even started because organ- ’s father wants to know if he crosses and sing hymns outside of Josh Galassi, a 30-year-old Seattle resident who willing to give up their big cats to resolve izers the European Broadcasting Un- can vote for him from his home in Cyprus’ state broadcaster in March. works in public relations, says everyone he knows a Justice Department civil complaint against them over the animals’ care, their ion said the country’s original song Congo. Tsagrinou said dealing with the shares passwords. If companies start to crack down, “puts the nonpolitical nature of the Ukraine had a scare when the lead COVID-19 restrictions is tough he said he would subscribe to the services he uses, attorney told a federal judge. but only if the shows he likes are on the service, like At a hearing where the judge found the Contest in question.” A replacement singer of its band, Go_A, Kateryna ahead of the contest, “but that’s not couple in contempt for violating a previous song also was rejected. Pavlenko, had to skip a rehearsal in going to keep us back and we’re go- “The Good Fight” on Paramount+. He does that with order regarding the big cats, attorney Daniel Starz’ “Outlander,” subscribing only when the show The theme for this year’s Eurovi- Rotterdam and get tested after feel- ing to feel the vibe that we want to Card said the Lowes “want out completely.” sion Song Contest is “Open up.” It ing unwell. The result was negative feel and the smile on our face.” is on and then canceling. Jeff Lowe took over the Greater Wyn- “One rule I have is I only share passwords with newood Exotic Animal Park from founder close friends or family members,” Galassi said. “Or Joe Exotic in 2016. Lowe and his wife somebody I know that has a service I don’t want to displayed big cats there until shutting down pay for, I’ll ask them if they’re willing to share in the park in August. They then moved to a exchange for something that I pay for.” new facility in Thackerville. Netflix played down its March user verification The civil complaint, fi led in Novem- LOS ANGELES: A 16-year-old “American told the Herald-Journal that the video test, telling investors it was a continuing effort and ber, accused the Lowes of recurring inhu- Idol” contestant has dropped out of the was fi lmed when Kennedy was 12 and nothing new. Company co-founder and co-CEO mane treatment and improper handling singing competition after a video circulated had been taken out of context. She said Reed Hastings promised not to spring any changes of animals protected by the Endangered of him sitting next to someone wearing Kennedy had been imitating characters Species Act. what appears to be a Ku Klux Klan hood. from the fi lm “The Strangers: Prey at on customers too abruptly. Jeff Lowe was one of the central charac- “We would never roll something out that feels like Caleb Kennedy, advanced into the Night.” ters in the Netfl ix series that became a pop Top 5, apologized for the video on Twit- “It had nothing to do with the Ku Klux ‘turning the screws,’” Hastings said in an April call culture phenomenon last year. The series ter and Instagram, saying “it displayed Klan, but I know that’s how it looks. with analysts. “It’s got to feel like it makes sense to focused on Joe Exotic, a pseudonym for actions that were not meant to be taken in Caleb doesn’t have a racist bone in his consumers that they understand.” Joseph Maldonado-Passage. (AP) that way.” body. He loves everyone and has friends ❑ ❑ ❑ Kennedy’s mother, Anita Guy, Passage Lowe of all races,” Guy said. (AP)