Back in the day, we watched everything on a cable box. Now, we can simply download an app to our favorite network to stream our favorite shows or movies.
What started off as a more convenient option has turned into a nightmare, leaving most drowning in subscription fees. We’ve now reached a point where we have too many streaming services.
Several platforms over the last decade have come out with their own streaming sites. Each one claims to offer something unique by having its own exclusive shows, pricing models and apps. What once started out to be cheap has now become pricier.
If you want to watch anything Marvel related, you can only watch on Disney+. Netflix has Stranger Things, Squid Games and many more shows and movies that are popular. Other platforms have their own original series you can only watch on their sites.
Once upon a time, you could reasonably cover your entertainment needs with just one or two services. Now, the options are endless with Disney+, Apple TV, Peacock, Paramount+ and a dozen others.
Movies and shows that aren’t originals or exclusive to that platform tend to rotate through each service. It can be frustrating trying to figure out what service they are on and if you have that subscription.
It seems as if these businesses are just being greedy. They’re either constantly raising the price or being stingy with password sharing. In 2023, Netflix cracked down on the issue requiring users to log in from their home IP address. If you want to add another location, you get charged for it.
Some could say that these services are losing money by having one person pay for it while several others are using that account.
Netflix, the major villain for raising prices what seems like each year. 2025 is barely a month old, and we’ve already seen it happen this year. The basic subscription including ads is now close to $20. As they continue to raise their prices, their content seems to be going downhill. It’s not uncommon to hear how they’ve canceled yet another show that has maybe one or two seasons.
It’s not just Netflix. Other services are rolling out similar models with low introductory rates, creating a dependency for the shows you love only to later jack up the price.
Rather than one hub for content, we’re forced to juggle multiple subscriptions. It would be nice if a bundling option were made available to help bring costs down. For instance, Disney+ offers a bundle deal that includes it with Hulu and ESPN.
As a consumer, I wish streaming services would hear these concerns instead of worrying only about their bottom line.