For all intents and purposes, the Streaming Wars kicked off in 2007, when Netflix launched streaming video from its platform. As technology advanced and became increasingly affordable for the average household, the demise of Blockbuster Video in 2010 was proof-positive that the world had embraced streaming as the next evolution in home entertainment. New streaming sites, like Hulu in 2008, began popping up, some far more successful than others (Yahoo! View, we hardly knew ye), but Netflix would change the game again by launching its first foray into original programming, 2013's House of Cards. Serious contenders to the streaming throne, like Disney+, began to rise up around 2018, but Netflix was still the undisputed king of streaming.
Then came 2020, and the unprecedented worldwide impact of Covid-19. Quarantining, working from home, and business shutdowns drove subscriptions to streaming sites through the roof, hitting $1.1 billion worldwide in 2020 alone. Movies slated for theatrical release were moved to streamers. More original content was being created for the sites. Corporate mergers altered the streaming landscape significantly, merging content into larger media libraries. Upstart streaming sites tried to gain traction in the booming streaming market. The options seemed endless.
Which brings us to today. The world is, slowly but surely, getting back to normal, meaning the stable of subscribers chained to their home is decreasing. The time availability for streaming content decreases along with it, which in turn leads to subscribers now taking a hard look at which streaming subscriptions are worth keeping, and which simply are not.
A long road to our destination, but we're here now: Which participants in the Streaming Wars will triumph… and which stand to lose everything?
Netflix remains…