It feels like the pullback from the cable replication of needing to subscribe to ten different services is starting to feel pullback, judging from the layoffs and cancellations at other streaming services. Honestly, it was a great run for a bit, but then everyone wanted their own service and saw first party tv episode content as viewer lock in.
But then they started raising prices and cutting off family access, and I started cancelling services. I went from 12+ (because I’d sign up for them at $4.99 a month because they had a series or movie I wanted) to about 6 now and I’ll probably cut more. Although I might enjoy the show, I’m not changing my streaming setup for it. When money was cheap, they were throwing everything at the wall just to see what sticks. Now that it’s not and in the wake of community and talent revolts, they’re pulling it back in. I’m not saying we need to get back to Netflix having rights to everything, but I don’t see the room for dozens of subscription services making their own content. Even if household budgets are willing to (again) spend $100+ per month for subscriptions, there’s just not enough time in the week. It was great to just randomly decide to watch something and have it available, but at one point you have to realize you haven’t watched Showtime in two months.