These are just a handful of streaming services that people use every single day. You pay, on average, $10/month for these services that have thousands of products in their inventory that they open up to you.
Sounds like a pretty sweet deal, especially when a lot of people are trying to cut the cord and the massive compact disc collection they've amassed since 1997.
When it comes to music, people are putting their CDs on their computer and then never use the CD again. When it comes to movies, people watch their Blu-rays or DVDs a handful of times and then watch the collection rise.
Why have all these discs just pile up only to be used once or twice?
To me, I like having the control of what I want to watch and listen to. These streaming services add and take away from their collection all the time. They use the supply and demand to keep people coming back. Netflix and Amazon are making original programming, Apple Music and Tidal are offering exclusive music, and so on.
If I'm in the mood to watch a particular movie or listen to a particular album, I want to be able to without permission of a company.
Don't get me wrong, these streaming services are pretty convenient to use. When you're binge-watching The West Wing (which I'm currently doing) or watching the new seasons of Orange is the New Black or House of Cards, the automatic queue is a wonderful thing and there's no need to change discs in your DVD or Blu-ray player.
It's the lazy man's dream!
But there's not one song or movie that you're streaming, that you can say you own.
Not one.
Your friend can't borrow your DVD/Blu-Ray, only your Netflix password (which they'll probably catch on to). Your friend can't borrow your CD either, which makes sharing songs harder.
In fact, I tried using an Apple Music song I downloaded (which is protected) and put it in a Final Cut Pro X video I was making.
Nope. Apple said no. What's funny is that Apple owns both companies.
Maybe it's just me, but if I'm going to be paying for something, I'd want to feel as if it were mine and not taken away the second I stop paying for a subscription.
Think about this: the second you stop paying for Apple Music and Netflix, the collection you made while subscribing is gone with a snap. It's like you never owned it. At least with eReaders, you technically still own the book after you're stop being a paid member or Barnes & Noble or Amazon.
Cars are getting rid of CD players (which I believe is a mistake), computers are getting rid of their optical drives (that run the discs) and many entertainment outlets are going cloud-based (less physical inventory and a lot more money in return).
It's smart for the businesses since their margins are a lot bigger now. It's smart for the consumer because they now have less "stuff" piling up.
Personally, if Netflix or Apple allowed me to download and keep my entertainment afterwards, I'd be 100% on board.
Until then, I'm still weary of jumping ship on the discs altogether.
Your thoughts? Leave some comments below!
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