Look, I’m Gonna Say It: Netflix is Still King
Let me tell you something, folks. I’ve been in this industry for 20+ years, and I’ve seen alot of trends come and go. But the so-called ‘streaming wars’? Honestly, it’s getting old. And I’m tired of pretending every platform is somehow equal. They’re not. And if you think otherwise, you’re either lying or haven’t watched TV since 2015.
Last Tuesday, I was at this industry thing in Austin. You know, one of those stuffy conferences where everyone pretends to care about the ‘latest technology trends 2026’ (yeah, seriously, that was a slide). Anyway, I’m talking to this guy—let’s call him Marcus—who works for some new streaming service I’ve never heard of. And he’s going on about how his platform is ‘revolutionary.’
I asked him, ‘Marcus, what makes you different than Netflix or Disney+?’ And he said, ‘We have exclusive content.’ I said, ‘So does everyone else. Try again.’ He said, ‘Our algorithim is better.’ I said, ‘Alright, see you never.’
Which… yeah. Fair enough. But here’s the thing: it’s not just about content or algorithims (honestly, who even says algorithim anymore?). It’s about committment. And Netflix has that in spades.
Why I’m Not Buying the ‘Content is King’ Nonsense
Oh, you thought I was gonna say content is king? Please. Content is just the stuff you watch when you’re avoiding your life. What really matters is the experience. And Netflix, for all its flaws, gets that. They’re not perfect—far from it. But they’re consistent. They’re like that friend who’s always there for you, even if they sometimes show up in sweatpants.
Take Dave, a colleague of mine. He’s always jumping from one service to another, chasing the latest ‘must-watch’ show. Last month, it was some show on Peacock. The month before, it was something on Paramount+. I asked him, ‘Dave, how many subscriptions do you have now?’ He said, ‘I lost count.’ I said, ‘Dave, you’re being played.’
And that’s the thing. These streaming services want you to believe you need all of them. But you don’t. You just need one good one. And right now, that’s Netflix. They’ve got a shit-ton of content, they’re investing in originals, and they’re not afraid to take risks. Can they be completley infuriating with their recommendation algorithim? Absolutely. But so is your mom when she won’t stop asking when you’re gonna give her grandkids.
A Digression: Why I Hate ‘Binge-Watching’
Look, I gotta take a quick tangent here. ‘Binge-watching.’ Ugh. Who even likes that? It’s not some kinda badge of honor. It’s a sign you’ve got no life. I remember back in 2018, I was talking to this producer, let’s call her Sarah. She was bragging about how she ‘binge-watched’ some show in 36 hours. I said, ‘Sarah, that’s not impressive. That’s a cry for help.’
But here’s the thing about Netflix: they’re the ones who started this binge-watching crap. And now everyone’s doing it. It’s like when one kid in class starts burping the alphabet and suddenly everyone’s trying to outdo each other. Gross.
Disney+ is Trying Too Hard
Okay, let’s talk about Disney+. I mean, come on. They’re trying so hard to be cool. It’s like watching your dad attempt to use slang. Cringe.
Don’t get me wrong—I love me some Marvel and Star Wars as much as the next guy. But Disney+ is starting to feel like a theme park. It’s all fun and games until you realize you’re spending $87 a month just to watch the same thing over and over again. And don’t even get me started on their ‘exclusive’ content. Most of it feels like it was thrown together in aquisition meetings.
I was at this panel in LA a few months back, and some Disney exec was going on about how they’re ‘redefining the streaming experience.’ I leaned over to the guy next to me and said, ‘Translation: we’re gonna keep milking our IP until the cows come home.’ He laughed so hard he snorted. Which, honestly, was the best part of the conference.
The Truth About Exclusive Content
Here’s the thing about ‘exclusive’ content: it’s a scam. Every single streaming service does it. And honestly, it’s getting old. I don’t care if your show is ‘exclusive’ if it’s bad. And let’s be real—most of these exclusives are bad.
I was talking to a friend of mine, let’s call her Lisa, about this. She’s a big fan of some show on HBO Max. I asked her, ‘Lisa, is it good?’ She said, ‘I dunno, I haven’t finished it yet.’ I said, ‘Then why are you watching it?’ She said, ‘Because it’s exclusive!’ I said, ‘Lisa, that’s not how life works.’
And that’s the thing. Just because something is ‘exclusive’ doesn’t mean it’s good. It just means you’re gonna waste 10 hours of your life you’ll never get back. Thanks, but no thanks.
Why I’m Not Worried About Netflix
Look, I know what you’re thinking. ‘Netflix is losing subscribers!’ ‘Disney+ is catching up!’ ‘Apple TV+ is gonna take over the world!’ Calm down, Karen.
Netflix is still the biggest player in the game. They’ve got the most subscribers, the most content, and the most influence. They’re not going anywhere. And honestly, I’m glad. Because as much as I complain about them, they’re still the best option out there.
I was at this industry dinner a few weeks back, and some analyst was going on about how ‘Netflix is in trouble.’ I said, ‘Dude, they made $87 billion last year. They’re not in trouble. They’re in ‘let’s buy another company just because we can’ trouble.
And that’s the thing. Netflix is like that rich kid in high school who could afford to buy the whole school if they wanted to. They’re not perfect, but they’re still on top. And until someone comes along with a better product—no, not just more content, a better product—Netflix is gonna stay there.
Final Thoughts (Or Whatever)
So there you have it. My unfiltered thoughts on the streaming wars. They’re boring, they’re overhyped, and honestly, they’re a waste of time. Stick with Netflix. Watch something good. And for the love of God, stop binge-watching.
Oh, and if you’re gonna try to tell me that some new streaming service is ‘revolutionary,’ save it. I’ve heard it all before. And I’m not buying it.
About the Author
I’m Sarah, a senior magazine editor with more than 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. I’ve seen trends come and go, and I’m not afraid to call out the BS when I see it. When I’m not writing, you can find me complaining about bad TV shows or trying to convince my cat to cuddle. Follow me on Twitter @sarahwritesstuff.
