Community discussions

[Iona-D]

Right now, this article focuses on Great Britain's own Streaming population: 

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-61139483

In case you missed it.  I am now wondering how about the US population?  Are we doing the same or similar over here.  Inflation and wonky Global Supply Chains are just as undependable over here as over there for the most part.  

What do you think?  Are you planning or already getting rid of anything from one or more paid streaming services to even getting rid of your internet access service completely and just use public access WiFi at your local library or some other place offering free Internet for all comers?

What will the future hold for this popular pastime?

[atc98092]

Online streaming is sort of merging with the cable/satellite provider model, in that end users are offered both a package of channels as well as standalone additions. Individual providers are trying to offer their media via a subscription, while other providers like YouTube TV, Fubo TV or Sling TV are trying to operate as a cable provider. If the user is not careful, separate subscriptions can end up costing as much or more than a comprehensive cable/satellite package. 

Users need to determine exactly what their needs are, and not simply subscribe to every new service. When I dropped my Dish package about 10 years ago or so, we determined we only watched at most about 6 different channels from the package, and none were really required for us to be satisfied with our viewing options. I had a media server with all my DVD/BD discs ripped, and that was enough for 90% of our watching. We had Amazon Prime for the free shipping, so Prime Video was a freebee for us. I had Netflix for a while, but decided we seldom watched it so dropped it. I tried CBS All Access (now Paramount+) but decided there simply wasn't enough content for me to continue paying for it. I had no intention of subscribing to HBO Max, but then it became available via my cell phone package, so I'm not paying extra for it.

I don't pay for any other service, and between the services I have and my home media server, I simply wouldn't have time to watch anything else. There's almost nothing being offered today that I have a strong desire to watch, so I'm not going to reward the studios for pushing out the garbage they do. For every Marvel or Star Wars title that I might be interested in, the studios push out dozens and dozens of what I consider trash. By not subscribing to those providers, I'm not funding content I don't care about. 

Content is a personal choice, and is someone else wants to watch what I don't, that's fine. I'll support what I like, you support what you like, and everyone gets what they want. 

[AvsGunnar]

Other than the cost of the internet connection, which I need anyway, the type of content I watch is all on the free Channels/apps and Rumble or Youtube type platforms.

When I switched to streaming, was always trying to figure how to get the same programming I had with satellite, but for free.  Instead, just moved toward finding different/similar content and realized there was a whole other world of content I never saw before when I had satellite.

As such, not much for me to cut in way of programming costs.  No subscriptions to premium services.  Rarely even take advantages of the free trial offers.  More interested in seeing older shows I know I enjoyed and finding series that look interesting.   Surprisingly, have found a lot of interesting Canadien shows. Latest one is Cardinal on the Roku Channel.

[DBDukes]

Like others, I had Amazon Prime already, so Prime Video is a bonus and I don't pay extra for that. And I rarely use it.

Canceled Netflix years ago. In fact, the only service I use regularly is Hulu (ad-supported, $7/month), and even that's not year-round. I just restarted after a long hiatus because some shows I watch have enough in queue to make it worthwhile this month. I'll suspend again at the end of this billing cycle, and resume later.

Oh, and I subscribe to Sling for sports during college football season, but I've worked that out to only have four 30-day subscriptions to run from September through January, by canceling at the end of each 30-day period, then starting back the next time a game I want kicks off. I stop Hulu during this time.

I will do other services from time to time, but only for a month. Everything else is free ad supported, or from my local (Plex) server. Or over the air (network connected Tablo and antenna).

So, I'm not getting by on just free stuff. But if I ever kicked my college football habit, I could.

[Tivoburkee]

Yesterday I cancelled Disney+ which I was paying $7.99 a month for, then turned Disney+ on through Hulu for $2.99 a month, where I'm paying $.99 month for Hulu with ads. 

[Ello2022]

@Tivoburkee  I have the Disney bundle. Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu for $14.99

[Tivoburkee]

So, I get two of the three in your bundle for $3.98 a month. 

[Ello2022]

@Tivoburkee  I did have the Hulu Black Friday .99 cents deal. After it was over I did the bundle. Cut the cord like 10 years ago. 

[Tivoburkee]

I have had for two years by using a different email address the second year to get the $.99 deal from Hulu. 

[Iona-D]

I just finished looking at all the just posted articles online about Netflix losing a noticable amount of paid subscribers recently.  Many causes were listed including password sharing.  

I think it simply people are actively and very quickly cutting back on most items on their personal household budgets due to huge rapid  inflationary price increases in shelter,  food plus other necessaries of life.  I know I sure have!  This includes paid subscriptions to online paid out of pocket  services and even paper magazines I enjoyed for years.  Not so much the popularly blamed password sharing or magazines exchanges. In a nutshell, I cannot afford these now luxuries anymore. I have more pressing very basic things I need to support in my new no frills allowed for a very long time, if ever harsh budget

What about you?