Look, I’m Gonna Say It
I’m Dave, senior editor at Business TV magazine, and I’ve had it. With what? Streaming services. Yeah, I know, I know. Everyone loves their Netflix, their Disney+, their what-have-you. But not me. Not anymore. It’s 2024, and I’m over it. Here’s why.
It started last Tuesday. I was trying to watch this movie—some thriller Marcus recommended, let’s call him Marcus because I don’t remember his name. Anyway, it’s on Hulu. Fine, I think, I’ll just log into Hulu. But then I realize, I haven’t used Hulu in like three months. So I log in, and it’s asking me to update my payment info. Okay, whatever. I update it, and then it tells me I have to watch an ad before I can watch my movie. Which… yeah. Fair enough, I guess. But then the ad won’t load. So I’m sitting there, refreshing, waiting, and I’m like, ‘This is ridiculous.’
And that’s when it hit me. This isn’t just about Hulu. This is about all of them. Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Apple TV+, Peacock—it’s an aquisition of madness. I used to love TV. I mean, I really loved TV. Back in the day, you’d have your cable, your DVR, and that was it. You knew where everything was. Now? It’s a completley different story.
I remember talking to a colleague named Dave—yeah, another Dave—about this. We were over coffee at the place on 5th, and he’s like, ‘Dave, it’s simple. You just need to pick one or two services and stick with them.’ And I was like, ‘Dave, I’ve tried that. It never works.’ You pick your one or two, and then that one show you have to watch is on a different service. So you sign up for that one, and then another show you want is on yet another service. Before you know it, you’re paying for six different streaming services, and you’re watching, what, two shows a week? It’s insane.
And don’t even get me started on the algorithms. You’d think by now they’d have figured out what I like to watch. But no. It’s always the same thing. ‘Because you watched X, you might like Y.’ Well, I didn’t like Y the first time you suggested it, and I’m not gonna like it now. It’s like they’re not even trying.
I mean, look at the physicaly impossibility of finding something to watch. You open up Netflix, and it’s just a sea of thumbnails. And sure, they have categories, but those categories are basically meaningless. ‘Based on your viewing,’ ‘Trending Now,’ ‘New Releases’—it’s all just noise. You spend more time scrolling than you do watching. And forget about trying to find something specific. Good luck with that.
But Here’s the Thing
I’m not saying streaming services are all bad. I mean, they’re not. They’ve given us access to so much content. But at what cost? The commitment to remember where everything is, the constant rotating door of shows and movies, the never-ending cycle of signing up and canceling—it’s exhausting. And honestly, I’m tired of it.
I talked to a friend about this, let’s call her Sarah. She’s a big fan of Disney+. She’s like, ‘Dave, you’re overcomplicating it. Just pick what you like and watch it.’ And I’m like, ‘Sarah, it’s not that simple. It’s not just about picking what I like. It’s about the principle of the thing. The fact that I have to jump through hoops just to watch a damn movie is what’s driving me crazy.’
And it’s not just me. I’ve talked to alot of people about this, and they all feel the same way. We’re all sick of the constant churn. We’re sick of the algorithms that don’t understand us. We’re sick of the never-ending cycle of signing up and canceling. We just want to watch TV without all the hassle.
So What’s the Solution?
I don’t know. Maybe there isn’t one. Maybe we’re just stuck in this never-ending cycle of streaming services. But I do know one thing: I’m not gonna stop complaining about it. Not until someone comes up with a better way.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for a way to simplify your life, maybe consider a condo buying guide comparison. I know, I know, it’s a stretch. But hear me out. At least with a condo, you know what you’re getting. You know where everything is. You don’t have to worry about algorithms or rotating doors or any of that nonsense. It’s just a simple, straightforward transaction. And honestly, that’s what we all want, isn’t it? Something simple and straightforward.
Anyway, that’s my rant. I’m sure I’ll have more to say on the subject in the future. But for now, I’m gonna go try to find something to watch. Wish me luck.
About the Author
Dave has been a senior editor at Business TV magazine for over 20 years. He’s seen the rise and fall of countless trends in the entertainment industry and isn’t afraid to share his unfiltered opinions. When he’s not complaining about streaming services, he can be found watching reruns of Friends and eating pizza.
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