5 ms·

I always kind of predicted that services like YouTube will eventually end up just like cable TV when it comes to ads (formerly known as "commercials"). I think

I always kind of predicted that services like YouTube will eventually end up just like cable TV when it comes to ads (formerly known as "commercials"). I think even services that you pay for (like Netflix) will eventually get there. I was at my parents house the other day and they watch a lot of cable TV. The amount of commercials was shocking since I'm so used to streaming. I kept thinking "why do we still have to watch commercials if we're paying for the service?". Then I realized it's only a matter of time before Netflix, Hulu, etc. start doing the same thing. Hopefully I'm wrong.

Nasrudith 6y ago
What Netflix and other the streaming service demonstrate is that the problem seems to be at the mainstream producer end. The earliest started out the most pro-consumer and then over time got more demanding and even started their own streaming platforms to try to get in on thr action and made the user experience worse for consumers with things like paid and ad subcription tiers. If a company launches their own storefront and promotes it and claims it is to reduce costs and pass on savings they are lying to you. Breaking into a new market is expensive and risky. Initial sales are essentially a use of their marketing budget. The true reason is that their demands are rejected by the existing storefronts which usually means they are too aggressive in demands for margin or control. They have the legal right to do this of course but we don't have to like it and the impact on the market and can choose against them if you believe that their content is not worth commercials and rising prices.
smhenderson 6y ago
I agree with your prediction. I'm old enough to remember when cable was first rolled out and a big selling point for it was commercial free channels. And, as you mentioned, look at it now. Channels like TBS and TNT take it to such extremes too. A movie with a runtime of an hour and twenty minutes takes 3 hours to watch! If not for DVR I probably wouldn't watch any network or cable TV at all these days.

Nasrudith 6y ago

What Netflix and other the streaming service demonstrate is that the problem seems to be at the mainstream producer end. The earliest started out the most pro-consumer and then over time got more demanding and even started their own streaming platforms to try to get in on thr action and made the user experience worse for consumers with things like paid and ad subcription tiers. If a company launches their own storefront and promotes it and claims it is to reduce costs and pass on savings they are lying to you. Breaking into a new market is expensive and risky. Initial sales are essentially a use of their marketing budget. The true reason is that their demands are rejected by the existing storefronts which usually means they are too aggressive in demands for margin or control. They have the legal right to do this of course but we don't have to like it and the impact on the market and can choose against them if you believe that their content is not worth commercials and rising prices.

smhenderson 6y ago

I agree with your prediction. I'm old enough to remember when cable was first rolled out and a big selling point for it was commercial free channels. And, as you mentioned, look at it now. Channels like TBS and TNT take it to such extremes too. A movie with a runtime of an hour and twenty minutes takes 3 hours to watch! If not for DVR I probably wouldn't watch any network or cable TV at all these days.