I think what everyone wanted and briefly had, was a few streaming services for basically all content, without ads.
Before the more recent Cambrian explosion, it was just Netflix, HBO (via HBO Now), Hulu, and Showtime. Yes, there are some smaller players too, but these were the big ones.
Everything else was licensed out (typically to Netflix) and in some instances was perhaps only available on cable. People got alot of content for sub 60 USD, for the most part.
Then everyone started clawing back their catalogues for their own streaming services. I think the 2017-2019 period was the "golden age" of Netflix streaming in terms of sheer good content availability, and people really liked it.
At least Apple TV+ is original content and not re-selling the rights that used to be on a different platform. They're a genuinely new entrant into the space.
Netflix had a good run. Massive investments in content, no competition, maximizing the network effect by tolerating the sharing of accounts, real "growth hacking". But we all know what happens next in such trajectories: the squeeze. They were about the cash in on their market dominance.
Competition stopped that. You should be happy about it. I know I am. Let the explosion happen, let them compete for our money. The minor inconvenience of occasionally jumping in and out of a secondary service is worth it.
Before the more recent Cambrian explosion, it was just Netflix, HBO (via HBO Now), Hulu, and Showtime. Yes, there are some smaller players too, but these were the big ones.
Everything else was licensed out (typically to Netflix) and in some instances was perhaps only available on cable. People got alot of content for sub 60 USD, for the most part.
Then everyone started clawing back their catalogues for their own streaming services. I think the 2017-2019 period was the "golden age" of Netflix streaming in terms of sheer good content availability, and people really liked it.
At least Apple TV+ is original content and not re-selling the rights that used to be on a different platform. They're a genuinely new entrant into the space.