zlacker

From a consumer standpoint, life was much better when that was the case. One app, one service, pretty much anything I want to watch. Per-network streaming services were just a glint in some executive's eye, and things were good.

The current state of things is confusing, expensive, and user hostile.

I was trying to figure out how to watch Rick & Morty S6 the other night. It'll be on Hulu, but not for months. It'll be on HBO Max, too, but it's only downloadable for offline viewing on Hulu. Wanna watch it now? Need a cable subscription, even though Adult Swim's website says "now available on HBO Max".

I like the idea of any streaming service being able to license any show, if they can pay the fee. Another comment mentioned the Paramount Decree as a similar example.

>>ceejay+(OP)
Streaming service providers should be legally prohibited from exclusive ownership of content: anything they put on their platform should have compulsory licensing at the same rate they paid.

>>cwkoss+mj
I think that exclusivity clauses for many platforms should be made illegal or atleast severely limited in duration.

>>ceejay+(OP)
What you're describing is competition. It is an entire industry on content creators selling their creations to the highest bidder. The thing that streaming enabled was for the small documentary filmmaker to sell their work to a large studio (family member did just this). I don't think it's their fault that their is ALSO intense competition above them in the stack, which is what you're saying is the bad experience.

You're arguing there is TOO MUCH competition not too little and that a centralizing force needs to help improve consumer experience. Fair, but not your original point.

>>cwkoss+mj
And are you also thinking that content creators should not be allowed to distribute their own content? (which is what streaming services are these days... the direct-to-customer channel by a studio).

>>andsoi+a94
I think the world would be a better place if streaming platforms and content producers were required to be separate legal entities that cannot collude, price fix, or trade in exclusive rights. If content is good, every streaming platform should have the opportunity to acquire those rights at the same terms.