“You know that sinking feeling when you realise you signed up for something but haven't used it in ages? At Netflix, the last thing we want is people paying for something they're not using," product innovation chief Eddy Wu said in a blog post.
Affected account holders will receive a warning from Netflix in the form of an email before their accounts are deactivated. Notifications will start arriving this week.
"We're asking everyone who has not watched anything on Netflix for a year since they joined to confirm they want to keep their membership," Mr Wu said.
Netflix will retain viewing data from deactivated accounts, so if a user wants to re-subscribe at a later date they will be able to access their individualised preferences.
The company has seen subscriber numbers surge this year, as lockdowns around the world keep people at home, where they want to be entertained.
Almost 16 million people created accounts in the first three months of the year, nearly double the new sign-ups it saw in the final months of 2019.
The streaming giant says hundreds of thousands of users fall into that "inactive" category - and it will now start suspending them.
It said the move would save forgetful customers money.
Netflix costs between £5.99 and £11.99 a month, and payment details are required to sign up.
The company said the notifications would be sent to those people who signed up with a credit card or other payment method, but have not watched anything in the year since signing up.
It will do the same for other users who have been paying for the service, but have not watched anything in the past two years.
Users with dormant accounts will receive a notification asking if they want to continue with their subscription, and those who do not respond will have their account cancelled.
Netflix said less than half a percent of its user-base falls into that category.
“You know that sinking feeling when you realise you signed up for something but haven't used it in ages? At Netflix, the last thing we want is people paying for something they're not using," product innovation chief Eddy Wu said in a blog post.
Affected account holders will receive a warning from Netflix in the form of an email before their accounts are deactivated. Notifications will start arriving this week.
"We're asking everyone who has not watched anything on Netflix for a year since they joined to confirm they want to keep their membership," Mr Wu said.
Netflix will retain viewing data from deactivated accounts, so if a user wants to re-subscribe at a later date they will be able to access their individualised preferences.
The company has seen subscriber numbers surge this year, as lockdowns around the world keep people at home, where they want to be entertained.
Almost 16 million people created accounts in the first three months of the year, nearly double the new sign-ups it saw in the final months of 2019.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana’s press freedom ranking: Are we actually improving?
54 mins -
Reflections: 50 Lessons at 50
1 hour -
NCCE briefs Council of State on civic plans for 2024
1 hour -
Ecobank Group reports Profit Before Tax of $581m, on net revenue of $2.1bn for 2023
2 hours -
More businesses are working to move out of Ghana – Food and Beverages Association
2 hours -
Empowering Ghana’s Environmental Narrative: Celebrating World Press Freedom Day 2024
2 hours -
AG hasn’t closed investigations into Cecilia Dapaah’s case – Spokesman
2 hours -
Ghana Tourism Authority celebrates ‘Feast Ghana’ on May Day with a Taste of Culture
2 hours -
Fella Makafui gets emotional and teary-eyed reacting to old video with Medikal
2 hours -
FBNBank Ghana changes to FirstBank Ghana to align with Group identity
2 hours -
Agogo Presby Hospital celebrates staff over zero maternal death record
3 hours -
Ghana isn’t broke to procure high and low-voltage poles – Energy Minister
3 hours -
Appiatse residents handed keys to newly constructed homes
3 hours -
Dumsor: Mahama the only President to superintend ‘dum dum’ for 4 years – Opoku Prempeh
3 hours -
Burnley sign partnership deal with fan-backed scouting platform Nordensa
4 hours