When streaming services like Netflix first became popular, viewers celebrated the various ways that these platforms freed you from the constraints of cable or traditional TV.
But over time, new players in the market and streaming services from major networks are making the differences between cable and streaming less stark.
In fact, here are some of the ways that streaming services are regressing and becoming more like cable TV.
1. Exclusive Distribution and Availability of Content
While the regional distribution of content has always been subject to licensing deals, there used to be more cooperation and overlap between networks.
For example, Netflix offered Disney and Marvel content to many viewers. Networks frequently allowed users to stream their shows and movies on multiple platforms.
But thanks to many entertainment companies launching their individual services and acquisitions and mergers of studios and networks by the likes of Amazon and Disney, the market is far more segmented.
Notably, before the launch of Disney+ and its expansion into more markets, the Walt Disney Company pulled some of its content and movies from other services. For example, Disney pulled its Marvel shows from Netflix, even though these shows were created in collaboration with Netflix.
The focus on creating a concentration of exclusive content that can't be watched anywhere else has made the streaming market more similar to cable TV. It's bringing us back to the age of needing to subscribe to a specific network to view any of its content. As a result, some people feel that there seem to be too many streaming services nowadays.
Some users share passwords to save money on multiple subscriptions, but streaming companies are cracking down on this too. For example, Netflix plans to make you pay to share your password outside your household so that it can make more money off of shared accounts.
2. Weekly Episodes for Series
The streaming era has changed the way…