There are a variety of platforms available to stream favorite shows and movies. Graphic by Grace DeSanti.
Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, CBS All Access, HBO Max, Prime Video, Apple TV and now Peacock. Are all of these different streaming options worth it?
I’ve had Netflix for almost a decade now, and it always seems to have something for me to watch. Netflix allowed me to become a superfan of many shows and movies, like “The Office,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Arrested Development” and more. That may change soon.
It seems like the availability of shows is ever-changing. I’ll try to watch a show or a new movie that I saw last week, and it’s been transported to some other site. It’s very frustrating when you aren’t a subscriber to another service.
However, I have been lucky to have access to multiple streaming services, such as Hulu and Disney+, yet I don’t use them as much as Netflix. In fact, I don’t even remember the last time I used Hulu since it never seems to have the best options for movies or shows. Also, if you want an ad-free watching experience, Hulu charges extra to remove ads. In my opinion, one of the best things about streaming is the ability to watch episode after episode without interruptions.
Disney+ however, has become one of my favorites for a few reasons, including my quarantine binge of all 23 movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe Infinity Saga, the original series “The Mandalorian” and the bittersweet season seven of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.” Disney+ allowed me to indulge my nerd side, and relive some of my favorite moments in comic book history while also making new memories in the saga that I already love so much.
My real question is: will all the major networks start their own streaming services like CBS All Access, NBC’s Peacock and HBO Max in the future, leaving Netflix and Hulu in the past to die, or will Netflix reassert their dominance? We can also see that tech companies like Apple and Amazon are capitalizing on the streaming craze with their own versions; AppleTV and Prime Video respectively. Will they gain enough popularity to dethrone Netflix and Hulu in the future?
There has been an uptick in original shows across different services. Look at Netflix’s success with their original “Stranger Things,” but also the disappointment of their attempted comedy “Space Force.” Not to mention the disaster that is “Mulan” (2020) on Disney+. It’s a really a mixed bag with the original productions. According to the Los Angeles Times, Netflix is expected to roll out more original programs than previous years starting in 2021.
I reached out to some University of Rhode Island students for their opinions on the numerous streaming services available. For freshman Riley Halotek, Netflix has been his favorite site, and will continue to be in the future, regardless of what shows or movies change.
“Netflix just always has something to watch,” Hatolek said.
For another freshman Chris Thompson, Netflix is currently his favorite service, but added that he “will distribute some of that time to Disney+ and Hulu” once “The Office” leaves for Peacock in a few months.
We can only watch now as Netflix might slowly lose their monopoly on the streaming world. With “The Office” and other popular programs leaving in the next few weeks and months, the writing might be on the wall for the pioneers of streaming.