Is Netflix worth the subscription?
Since its debut in 1997, Netflix has been among the most popular streaming services. It began as a DVD rental business but has now developed into a global powerhouse with millions of customers. Nevertheless, Netflix is far from ideal because it costs money and isn't compatible with all devices (like gaming consoles). More than 130 million people worldwide are Netflix customers. The streaming service has been spending more money on new series and films, so it must boost its fees to pay expenses. Likewise, shows that don't instantly attract new subscribers are canceled.
The program gets discontinued after just one season. With Amazon and Disney (which owns Hulu), two of Netflix's main rivals, producing more content and amassing libraries of older shows and movies from other studios, canceling shows while raising prices is beginning to scare off new customers and take away the incentive for existing ones to keep their subscriptions. Netflix has been boosting the amount it spends on brand-new programs and films. Netflix spent $12 billion on programming in 2018, which is far more than it did only two years earlier. The majority of this rise may be attributed to original programming, which now accounts for 70% of total investment, up from 50% in 2016.
Meanwhile, Netflix is spending more money on foreign content: In 2018, the streaming service paid $1 billion (up from $780 million in 2017) to purchase the worldwide rights to non-English-language movies and TV episodes. This means that Netflix now purchases foreign-language versions of TV shows and movies directly from their creators around the world—and then translates them into English so that they can be watched by everyone in the world instead of buying American-made versions from other networks or studios like NBCUniversal or Sony Pictures Television Networks International Limited (SPTN)! In comparison to other platforms, this is a fantastic method to offer more diversity.
Although Netflix is the most popular streaming service globally, it is not the only one. Disney and Amazon are also fighting for your business.
While Disney intends to launch its own streaming service featuring movies from Marvel Studios, Star Wars, and Pixar next year, Amazon has more than 100 million users. Although having more than 130 million users globally and a budget of $20 billion for original content this year, Netflix must still contend with these other industry titans as they diversify their product lines.
Recently, Netflix increased its fees, which can cause additional cancellations. According to the company's most recent financial report, it raised its investment on original programming by $300 million in the first quarter of 2019. Netflix is still a terrific option for many people, but not for everyone. There are additional choices available if you're seeking fresh content to view or if you have a special request for your streaming service provider (like live television). There are several other streaming providers that have chosen to carry the series that Netflix is discontinuing if you're seeking for more choices. For instance, Lost in Space and The Handmaid's Tale have begun showing on Hulu, although Westworld has been airing on HBO since 2016.
The Office and Parks & Recreation are both accessible on Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Starz, respectively. Seinfeld and several earlier Friends episodes are also available on Epix's service. However, there are other networks like Showtime, which has Shameless, and HBO Max, which will start broadcasting some new Game of Thrones episodes this autumn.
You're not required to use the same streaming service forever! You may give them all a try, cancel the ones that don't work for you.
Hulu, for instance, won't be a good option for you if you're not interested in sports or news (or both), but if those are the factors that matter the most when choosing a streaming service, it might be worth considering over Netflix and Amazon Prime Video due to its extensive coverage of both subjects. The same is true for other genres, such as comedy or drama: some viewers could discover that HBO Now has a more varied collection of comedies and dramas than Netflix, while others would prefer Hulu's combination of older movies and more recent episodes, such as The Handmaid's Tale, on Hulu. What each user wants from their streaming service actually relies on what sort of entertainment experience they want!
Netflix is an excellent option if you enjoy watching TV series and movies in your free time. It is inexpensive and packed with information.
But, if you enjoy watching sports, particularly live sports, it may be preferable to buy cable rather than paying for streaming options like Netflix and Hulu Plus (which also costs money). Although not appropriate for everyone, Netflix is still a great option for many individuals. Hulu or Amazon Prime can be a better option if you're searching for a specific title that Netflix doesn't carry. Given all the alternative options available today, if you just watch a few episodes per year (or fewer), their fees may be too costly for what they provide.
So now that you know the whole of it, I’ll ask again…Is Netflix still worth the subscription?
Answer…Entirely Depends on your lifestyle and what matters to you most.
Do you have Netflix?