Mega-media players are entering the streaming universe in a big way. Hulu and Netflix will no longer be the undisputed industry leaders. As a consumer, the choice of a streaming service requires an ongoing evaluation of the content each platform will provide. With so many changes and so much competition, the service you choose today can be very different next month.
New streamers have created a virtual deluge of choices streaming in on your OTT (Over-The-Top) content devices. Viewers now have so many different channels and nearly infinite program choices that the dilemma is not finding something to watch… It’s finding the right content to watch and enjoy.
Not too long ago, it seemed a subscription to Netflix or Hulu could satisfy nearly anyone’s appetite for viewing material, but now there are so many new entrants to the category with diverse line ups that you may want to take a closer look at what’s available.
Look Who’s Coming To Dinner!
Disney+ is not advertising supported content.
Viewers:
In only the first month, Disney+ has made a significant impact. It signed up over 10 million subscribers the very day it launched, and left prognosticators agog since they only predicted 8 million subscribers by year’s end. Their 7-day free trial obviously worked, but it is obvious that demand for Disney-fare is over the moon.
Disney is no longer simply the world of Mickey Mouse. That mouse has grown into a gargantuan media mecca, and subscribers will have their choices from nearly the entire catalogs of Walt Disney Studios, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. To make the competition starve, Disney is withdrawing all of these libraries from other streaming services. That makes Disney+ the exclusive provider for all of these viewing classics and favorites. In addition to simply the varied libraries, Disney+ promises new original content to tantalize you further. The Mandalorian has already received rave reviews, and the promise of 8 new, original Marvel series is sure to attract a lot of attention.
Bundle Options:
If you think you have outgrown Disney, think again! You can find content here for all viewers whether they be young or adults. Disney owns Hulu and ESPN+, and for only $12.99 per month, you can enjoy content from all 3 sources. Hulu is supported by advertising, but not Disney+ or ESPN+. This is a very reasonable price for such a diverse amount of programming.
Don’t Forget Apple+…
Disney+ came out with a bang and a boom. The Apple TV+ launch featured a lot less fanfare, but they actually launched 2 weeks before Disney+. Apple TV+ is a bit of game changer because their focus is only on original programming they will own and leave the others to fight it out over the valuable licensed series. This streamer launched with 8 initial programs, and they promise new releases each and every month.
Cost:
Apple TV+ tries to set itself above the other service with dramatic cost competition. You can subscribe for only $4.99 per month. This is a great value if you believe that the promised original programming will be content worthy of binge watching. Apple TV+ will have no licensed content and currently has a library that is microscopic compared to the Disney+ motherlode. Apple+ promises A-list casts and has already delivered with the Golden-Globe Nominated series, The Morning Show. If they can launch a mega-hit like Game of Thrones, viewers will flock to the service, even with a limited library.
Never Underestimate Apple…
Apple TV+ may be starting small, but like all Apple products, they often capture the imagination of multi-millions of people. Streaming is a new business for them, but they tend to do things with a unique style. You can probably expect the unexpected from them, and that makes it worth keeping Apple TV+ on your radar.
HBO Max Coming Fast…
It’s happening in May 2020. HBO Max will begin streaming for only $14.99 a month. Forget advertising, there isn’t any. HBO Max promises to deliver the classic HBO premium content, but not many people realize that HBO’s parent corporation is Warner Media. That means HBO Max can offer content way beyond the HBO family. It can deliver other content from the Warner Media umbrella. This includes CNN, TNT, TBS, Cartoon Network, and DC. With HBO Max, you can access mega-hits like: Succession, Barry, and Curb Your Enthusiasm and you can also surf for other licensed series from other networks, blockbuster movies, and new exclusive originals. HBO Max may be able to offer the widest variety of content of any other streaming service.
Syndicated Streaming:
The backing of HBO Max by Warner Media can make a significant change in the streaming universe. This service will offer Friends, which is Netflix’s second most popular licensed show. It will also host favorites like: South Park, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and The Big Bang Theory.
Same Price, More Choices…
If you already subscribe to HBO NOW, you may ask “what’s the difference?”. This sounds like HBO NOW with a lot more potential content. It is. HBO plans to add millions of new subscribers by promoting the extended value of the newer content when you compare it to HBO NOW. The verdict is still out on this strategy.
This April 2020, NBC will launch NBC Peacock, and it will be Free to everyone. That means there will be advertising. This breaks the typical formula of streaming channels that eliminate sponsor ads. It will be the first Free on-demand streaming service for a major network and all the others will be keeping an eye on its success to see if this business model can deliver viewers and profits. Another option that is still on the drawing board is a subscription based, ad-free version.
Changing the Game:
If NBC Peacock succeeds, the big losers will be Netflix and Hulu. NBC will take back their most popular shows including: The Office and Parks and Recreation. For Netflix, this is serious business because The Office was its most watched show in 2019. Of course, NBC paid nearly $500 million to get The Office back.
New Programming…
NBC Peacock does not plan to rely solely its past and current hits. Development of original programming has been the focus of a huge amount of investment. Reboots will be popular as you can expect to see new programs for Battlestar Gallactica and Saved By The Bell. There may also be some new series from Mike Schur, creator of The Good Place, and Lorne Michaels, creator of Saturday Night Live. Stay tuned because you may even see a reboot of The Office.
