A recent Deloitte report found that 47% of consumers say there are way too many streaming options.
Netflix and Hulu have changed the game when it comes to how we consume media. They’ve been normalizing subscription services and getting us to break up with cable.
As more enter the mix, consumers are piecing together their content from an increasingly fragmented space. Accessing the hottest new shows can come with a hefty price tag.
As cord-cutting costs continue to rise, cable companies will hopefully start stepping in with consolidated bundles.
In the meantime, how do you choose which streaming services to buy?
Too many options
Customers want options, yes. But, it’s frustrating when content just vanishes all of a sudden or is canceled without warning.
That Deloitte report found that the average consumer has three streaming services. For the platforms themselves, the secret to success has been original content.
Netflix led the way, pumping out hits like “Stranger Things” and “Orange is the New Black.” However, now Hulu’s got its own set of hits like “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Also, HBO attracts viewers with programming like “Game of Thrones.”
Those three options alone could easily round out the average consumer’s streaming stack. These easily have enough content to keep you glued to your couch for the long-term.
What’s the best content mix in 2019?
- New Movies — HBO shows a rotating lineup of recent releases, though it’s kind of a mixed bag. Amazon Prime and iTunes always have the latest hits. However, you can expect to pay-per-view if you’d like to catch the latest Oscar noms and blockbusters.
- Family Content — PBS and YouTube Kids provide a solid line-up of kid-friendly content. And, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon come with a mix of cartoons and movies the whole family can enjoy.
- Sports — Sports content is harder to come by than movies and TV shows. ESPN+ and NFL GamePass are among the more affordable options, but they leave out big games like the Super Bowl and other championship events. You’ll usually be able to get the title games with an antenna, however. Fubo’s live channel lineup might be the best option unless you’d rather stick with your local cable provider.
- News and politics — Like many cord-cutters, you could lean on the radio and a handful of news sites to keep you informed of the latest updates. However, some people still prefer watching the news the old-fashioned way. PlutoTV offers some news channels through the free app, as does YouTubeTV and cable entrants like DirecTV Now.
Subscription saturation is about to get worse
We’ve also got Apple TV+ on the horizon and AT&T’s WarnerMedia service.
Interestingly, the WarnerMedia service isn’t AT&T’s first attempt at a streaming service. DirecTV Now is the telecom giant’s existing offering. It is a competitor to platforms like YouTube TV, Sling, and PlayStation Vue that aims to bring a cable-like line-up to the live stream.
AT&T’s Time Warner purchase represents a shift. The WarnerMedia streaming service won’t be released for a while. A beta test is planned later this year, but the streaming platform could bundle some of the standalone options.
Again, we’ll have to see how big cable shakes up the landscape or whether Hulu and Disney join forces.
At the end of the day, maybe we should all just give up and head over to Goodwill to stock up on used DVDs.
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