Have you logged into your Netflix instant queue today and noticed a lot of missing titles? Does the number 1,794 sound about right? As of today, that is how many titles Netflix removed from their instant programming. The majority of the titles come from Warner Bros., MGM, and Universal. One of the greatest tragedies to come from this is that I can no longer watch my favorite, classic Bond films. Actually, as I look through my queue, there’s nothing really missing aside from classic films and really bad sequels to movies I’ve never heard of. Just like any apocalyptic event, this “Streamageddon” is really over exaggerated. But the real question is why are people so distressed about this?
The answer is simple: Netflix is slowly losing programming we actually want to watch. In all honesty, this purge is no where near as bad as the awful one that happened in 2012, when all the Starz programming disappeared. We lost some good movies and shows that year. Let’s have a moment of silence for all our fallen comrades…
The relationship between Netflix and Warner Bros. has always been a rocky one, so it was only a matter of time before they pulled their content, and although Netflix is denying it, deductions are being made as the the real reason Warner Bros. didn’t renew their contract: They are in a relationship with another streaming company. DUN DUN DUNNNNN. This soap opera just got interesting.
Have you ever heard of a little streaming site called Warner Bros. Archive Instant? Like any other person in the world, I’m sure you haven’t, but it looks like they have all the classic films that were once on Netflix. You can view all of their “great” classic titles for only $9.99. A plethora of older, unremarkable films and tv shows, most of which you came out before you were even an embryo, will be at your disposal. So by all means, please dispose of them.
The generic, official response that Netflix CEO Reed Hasting has said that their decisions are based on “moving toward more and more exclusive content.” What does that mean for you? Well, for one, that means more original content created by Netflix. Examples would be like their great series House of Cards and, to a much lesser extent, Hemlock Grove. Many other streaming sites like Hulu and Amazon Plus are following suit (See: Let The Age of Streaming Begin). Still don’t see a downside? Wait, there’s more!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with new television shows being made, but as the focus shifts from streaming a variety of different titles from different studios to only streaming original content, we can see the end of the Netflix. Think I’m crazy? Maybe that I’m making connections where there aren’t any? Maybe so, but when Reed Hastings announced he would not be renewing a contract with Viacom (which expires at the end of the month), my crazy was validated. Viacom is a giant parent company that has programming from MTV, Nickelodeon, and BET.
My guess for the future of streaming is that every studio will soon have their own streaming website where they will have a subscription price to view only their content. There will be hundreds of them, and Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Plus will eventually weed out every title that didn’t originate from their companies. Every streaming site will be like a television channel, and each one will charge about $9.99 for their subscriptions. No wonder illegal downloads of shows is at an all time high.
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Soon enough, Netflix will be somebody that you used to know.
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