Who has seen at least the first episode of the new Black Mirror he'll understand me: maybe it's time to put on the glasses and read the small lines on the contract. On-demand streaming services such as Netflix, Disney Plus e DAZN have decided to raise the stakes… and the prices. But fear not, because we may find that the key to getting out of this situation may be simpler than we think.
The price of innovation
While we enjoy our evenings in front of TV series and movies, we often forget the real cost behind these services. Recently, even the Financial Times revealed that the average cost of the main on-demand streaming services has grown hypertrophically, both in the US and globally. Surprising, right? It shouldn't be: it's obvious, entertainment companies want us to spend more and more to access their content.
The reason prices are going up? Even that is not a mystery. After years of spending rivers of cash filling their catalogs with original programming, now these on-demand streaming platforms are trying to catch up. As? By uploading more to their loyal subscribers. Netflix, for example, recently began cracking down on password sharing, and this move has resulted (for now) in more new signups than unsubscribes. And they are not the only ones. Also Disney is considering following suit.
An unstable balance between business and user experience
It's clear that these companies are trying to maximize their profits, but what happens to the user experience? Longtime subscribers to Netflix who were used to using VPNs or sharing their accounts may not be happy with the recent changes. But, and there's a big “but” here, Netflix he has every right to make these choices. After all, they are a business and their main goal is to make money.
And then, we can't deny the cultural impact of these on-demand streaming services, right? Programs like Stranger Things, The Mandalorian, WandaVision e The Boys they have become cultural phenomena. Sure, we could have better, but this one is another matter. In any case, creating these successes is not easy. It depends on people's tastes and interaction on social media. And with the rise of new platforms like that of Elon Musk is promises to be a “universal” app, things could get even more complicated. And expensive.
Streaming on demand: power to the people of viewers
At the end of the day, the decision whether or not to subscribe to these on-demand streaming services is in our hands. Yes, they have also revolutionized the way we consume media, but they didn't do it as a favor.
It is up to us to decide how much we are willing to pay for entertainment, and it may also be useful to "help" these companies reshape their offers or refine their philosophy by tightening the purse strings.
It is not a call to a "proletarian strike": it is the possibility of exercising our right as consumers, directing the choices of companies which, otherwise (you can swear) will raise the bar higher and higher.
