For a moment, it seemed like the streaming apps were the things that could save us from the hegemony of cable TV—a system where you had to pay for a ton of stuff you didn’t want to watch so you could see the handful of things you were actually interested in.

Archived version: https://archive.ph/K4EIh

  • what’s the point?

    Simplicity and overall cost. Pirating is cheaper and allows you to get everything in one place versus 5 different streaming platforms. I see the draw.

    And it’s hard to make the case that paying streamers equates to paying the content creators with the strikes highlighting how little the actual creators get out of the deal. I’m in favor of paying for content, but you can’t say paying Netflix their continually increasing, and more restrictive, subscription fees is actually contributing to supporting creators who make good content.

    • So your argument is that it makes sense to pay pirates because content creators aren’t getting paid enough? If we all switch to paying pirates, there will be no more content to steal. Hell, even if a large percentage of us switch.

      Look, I get pirating content when you’re poor and can’t afford it. But if you’re actually paying, WTF dude?

      • My argument is that it’s not surprising that someone would choose to pay $20/mo for 1 service with all the things they want versus paying $100/mo to deal with 4 services.

        The fact that Netflix et al pay their creators squat is a separate component. I was just pointing out that saying you want to pay content creators for their work doesn’t really equate to paying for a Netflix subscription. If someone wants to ensure they’re paying creators for their content, there are much better ways to do so. You can pay the $20/mo to pirate stuff, then donate to the Entertainment Community Fund, or buy something directly from a writer’s website with the $80/mo you’ve saved.

        • WTF are you talking about? Giving money directly to a couple creators or donating to some charity won’t get more content made. Whether I like the prices or not (I don’t), some of the money I pay to Netflix (for example) gets reinvested into making more shows. Paying money to a fucking thief does not get more shows made and never will. Nor will donating that money directly anywhere. Shows get made when the companies that make shows are making money. Not thieves.