In 2010, when Netflix started streaming media, the company had little to no competitors. Yet, the following months will introduce a brand new wave of rivals fighting for first place. With the world’s favorite content moving to new streaming services, consumers will have to choose which one is worthy of their money and their weekly binge-watching. 

FACTS: 

100% of people surveyed* are subscribed to Netflix

81% of people surveyed* think Netflix has the best content library

61% of adults in the US (18 to 29) said they primarily watch TV through a streaming service (versus 31% who watch cable)

*A survey was sent out to high school students and there were 69 responses

BIDDING WAR

As the options in the streaming market keep rising, Netflix restlessly fights to keep it’s content as long as they can. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Media agreed to pay 85 million dollars to Netflix each year for five years, so “Friends” can be added to HBO Max this May. Additionally, NBC will pay 100 million dollars per year for the following five years so that they can stream “The Office” in their own service. Disney will also take back all of its movies, which will be exclusively found in Disney+. However, Netflix seems to be firing back after just recently gaining the streaming rights to “Seinfeld”, a popular American sitcom, according to the Los Angeles Times. 

THE COMPETITORS

Disney+ 

• 6.99 dollars/ month or 69.99 dollars/ year

• November 12, 2019 (2020 in Mexico)

• All Disney content ever made, along with new original movies and shows such as The Mandelorian, and Loki.

Apple TV+ 

• 4.99 dollars/ month (one year’s subscription free if you buy a new Apple device)

• November 1, 2019

• Original shows such as The Morning Show starring Jennifer Aniston, Steve Carell and Reese Witherspoon

HBO Max

• 14.99 dollars/ month

• May 2020

• Gossip Girl, Friends, South Park, and others along with new and old original HBO shows such as a Green Lantern show and a Game of Thrones prequel.

Peacock (NBC Universal)

• April 2020

• Rumored to be free with ads

• The Office, Parks & Recreation, and other original NBC shows.

It seems as though streaming services, the once-simple alternative to cable, are beginning to lose their purpose. Netflix no longer has the advantage of being an “umbrella product”, a place viewers can find all the content they’re looking for, because there are new players in the field. Consumers will now be forced to pick between services or jump from one to another depending on what they want to watch, making the experience not only complicated but overwhelming. It is clear that the easiness of streaming from only one service is becoming unrealistic, leaving a difficult question, will Netflix always be there for you?