It may have been only two months ago, but November 2019 could go on to become one of the most important months in entertainment history. All of this is solely due to the launches of two subscription video on demand services: Apple TV+ and Disney+. While neither was the first subscription service designed for streaming film and television content, this was the spark for what is now the Streaming Wars.
Established services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon have found great success and were already competing with one another. But within the past few years, other services have joined the fray. It started small, with channels like Showtime, Starz, and CBS having dedicated services solely based on their channel’s output. But since then, all the major tech and Hollywood companies are developing their own unique streaming services, priding themselves on their properties and IPs, as well as deals made with producers and celebrities.
Disney+ has already seen great success, utilizing nostalgia and their iconic brands to result in more than 10 million subscribers off the bat, as well as their flagship series The Mandalorian slowly becoming a phenomenon, largely helped by the cuteness that is Baby Yoda. WarnerMedia is taking the HBO name to create the upcoming HBO Max, which not only includes the HBO library, but Cartoon Network, TBS, DC Comics, Sesame Workshop, and more. NBCUniversal has Peacock, which will include the NBC library, as well as films from Universal Pictures, Illumination, and Dreamworks Animation. And while Apple TV+ is focusing on original fare, the company has already started deals with the likes of Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey. This is excluding niche services like the anime-focused Crunchyroll and the horror-focused Shudder.
With such a large variety of services, there’s been considerable backlash to the influx of options. Many have even argued that streaming, which was billed as a cheap alternative to cable television, has itself become like cable in terms of pricing. And while that criticism isn’t completely invalid, there’s a bit of an exaggeration here. While the streaming wars may have some drawbacks, the wide variety of options, and other hidden benefits, makes streaming superior to cable in many ways.
The most important detail is the fact that people are allowed to choose what they want. How many times have you mentioned to yourselves how there’s nothing on, despite having hundreds of channels on your cable package? Really, it’s a stretch to say many used even a majority of the channels on their cable package regularly. With streaming, not only are you usually able to find what you’re looking for, but you get to decide what you want to pay for.
Are you a fan of Disney properties and IPs like Toy Story or Marvel? Then Disney+ has what you’re looking for. Do you like HBO shows like Succession and Cartoon Network shows like Steven Universe? Then HBO Max has you covered. Even services that are brand-neutral like Netflix or Amazon have partnerships and high-quality original content that can persuade you to have their services if you’re interested. And really, one can enjoy just one of these services and still get a variety of entertaining and diverse content.
Of course, each service has their own exclusives, and people may be disappointed they may not be able to see them. But for a majority of the offerings available, it’s not the only way to watch them. Many bemoaned the fact that Friends was no longer on Netflix, especially since many may not be fully invested in subscribing to HBO Max. But that isn’t the only way to watch Friends. Episodes and seasons can be bought digitally, or through DVD and Blu-Ray. Like with Netflix, you can watch them at your own time, and anywhere in the world.
And yes, it is true that many shows and movies are only available, at least legally, through these streaming services, and that is a problem. It’s why we need physical media. But this isn’t the only way people can enjoy many shows they like, and it’s important that they recognize that. It may not be fair, but people could survive without paying extra for Cinemax or Showtime. Not having Hulu isn’t a dealbreaker. In fact, the lack of contracts and being allowed to cancel at anytime means people can hold onto a service for a limited time, watch the stuff they were interested in, get rid of it, and re-subscribe when new seasons of shows they like return.
To say nothing about no, or at least very limited commercials, complete personalization, limited to no censorship, more options and original content to get invested in, and so much more, I for one welcome the streaming wars. Sure, I’d love to live in a world where every movie and show was available at my fingertips at a low price. But I know that will never happen. And for now, I’m excited to see what these services are going to do to persuade me to support them, at least for a few months.
