The Future of Streaming: Will All TV Shows Ever Be Available?
Written on
Chapter 1: The Quest for Streaming Access
Recently, I decided to declutter my DVD collection and ended up donating around half of it. As a minimalist, I aspire to eliminate all physical media in favor of streaming services. However, before I part with the rest, I need to confirm that all those titles can be found online.
Many people are frustrated about the limited availability of shows on streaming platforms, which often leaves a gap in our viewing options.
Section 1.1: The Search for Availability
To see if I could find some of the programs I own on DVD, I turned to justwatch.com. Unfortunately, I was met with disappointment as many of my favorites are not accessible for streaming!
It could be that my preferences lean towards niche or older content, but I can't fathom a technical reason for this absence. In some instances, only specific seasons can be found, while others are entirely missing. For example:
- Perfect Strangers (1986 TV Series): Available only for Season 1 on Amazon, with no other seasons in sight.
- Hardcastle and McCormick (1983 TV Series): Currently unavailable in the UK.
This raises questions about content ownership and how much the rights holders are demanding from platforms like Netflix.
Section 1.2: The Dilemma of Content Ownership
It seems bewildering that rights holders choose to restrict access to their content, effectively locking it away from potential viewers. Perhaps I am being overly cautious, but I have no desire to seek out pirated versions of these shows.
Given the number of unavailable titles, it's understandable why some individuals resort to less legal means to access content. While converting my remaining DVDs into digital format might be an option, my previous attempts have been frustrating, and I dread the thought of managing large file backups.
Chapter 2: The Hope for a Streamlined Future
The first video titled "What Happened to Streaming Services?!" explores the evolution of streaming platforms and the challenges they face in terms of content availability and competition.
The second video, "The Downfall of Streaming TV | The Bubble has Burst," discusses the market dynamics of streaming services and what it means for consumers looking for access to a wider array of shows.
Final Thoughts
For now, it seems I will have to retain some DVDs. I can't help but wonder: Will we reach a point where no physical media exists, and every recorded show is accessible online? If that dream becomes a reality, how many subscriptions would one need to cover all the shows of interest?
