Look, I’m gonna say this straight up
I’m done with streaming services. Yeah, I said it. And before you roll your eyes and mutter something about how I’m just getting old, hear me out. I’ve been in this industry for over 20 years, and I’ve seen the rise and fall of alot of trends. But this? This is different.
It started last Tuesday, actually. I was trying to watch this movie—some indie flick that my friend Marcus had been raving about. I mean, literally raving. Like, foaming at the mouth, can’t-shut-up raving. So, I’m sitting there, remote in hand, scrolling through the endless list of options on my TV. And I’m thinking, “Okay, it’s gotta be here. It’s gotta be.” But no. It wasn’t on Netflix. Or Hulu. Or Amazon Prime. Or any of the other 12 services I have. I even checked Apple TV+, which honestly, nobody asked for but here we are.
So, I’m sitting there, getting more and more frustrated. I mean, I’m not some tech illiterate grandma. I know my way around a streaming service. But this? This was completley ridiculous. I ended up having to rent the movie on some random platform I’d never heard of for $8.70. EIGHT DOLLARS AND SEVENTY CENTS! For one movie! I could’ve just gone to the damn theater and had a better experience.
And that’s when it hit me. I’m tired of this. I’m tired of paying for 12 different services just to watch one movie. I’m tired of the constant rotating door of content. I’m tired of the algorithms that think they know what I want to watch better than I do. I’m tired of it all.
But wait, there’s more
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “But Sarah, isn’t this just the way of the world now? Isn’t this the future of entertainment?” And to that, I say, “No. No, it’s not.” I mean, look at the physicaly state of things. We’ve gone from owning CDs to streaming music, and now we’re back to paying for individual songs again. It’s like we’re stuck in some weird time loop, and nobody can figure out how to hit the stop button.
And don’t even get me started on the environmental impact. All these data centers, all this energy consumption. It’s insane. If you wanna know more about that, check out this environmental news climate update. It’s eye-opening stuff.
But back to the main point. I’m not saying I’m gonna go back to pirating movies or anything. I mean, I’m not some lawless rebel. But I am saying that I’m gonna start being more selective about what I pay for. I’m gonna start supporting local theaters and indie filmmakers. I’m gonna start actually buying movies again. And I’m gonna start enjoying my entertainment without feeling like I’m being nickel-and-dimed to death.
A personal anecdote
About three months ago, I was at a conference in Austin. I was having coffee with a colleague named Dave, and we were talking about this exact issue. He was saying how he had just cut the cord on all his streaming services and had never been happier. He said, “Sarah, it’s like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.” And I’m thinking, “Yeah, Dave, I get that. But what about all the shows I love? What about the movies I wanna see?”
And he looked at me, all calm and collected, and said, “You know what? It’s not worth it. It’s not worth the stress, the cost, the constant chasing of content. Life’s too short for that.” Which… yeah. Fair enough.
So, I’m taking his advice. I’m cutting the cord. I’m simplifying my life. And I’m gonna be honest, I’m kinda scared. But I’m also kinda excited. It’s like I’m embarking on this new adventure, and I have no idea where it’s gonna take me. But I’m ready. I’m ready for the challenge. I’m ready to take back control of my entertainment.
But what about the shows?
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “But Sarah, what about all the shows you love? What about the movies you wanna see?” And to that, I say, “I don’t know.” I honestly don’t have all the answers. But I do know this: I’m tired of feeling like I’m at the mercy of these giant corporations. I’m tired of feeling like I have to keep up with the latest trends just to keep up with my friends. I’m tired of feeling like I’m always playing catch-up.
So, I’m taking a step back. I’m taking a breather. And I’m gonna figure out what I really want. What I really need. And I’m gonna build my entertainment life around that. Not around some algorithm. Not around some corporate giant. But around me. Around my interests. Around my passions.
And you know what? I think I’m gonna be happier for it. I think I’m gonna be more fulfilled. I think I’m gonna be more present. And I think, honestly, I’m gonna be more successful. Because I’m gonna be focusing on what matters to me. Not what matters to some faceless corporation.
So, that’s my story. That’s why I’m done with streaming services. And I’m not saying you should do the same. I’m just saying, think about it. Think about what you’re paying for. Think about what you’re getting in return. And think about what you really want out of your entertainment. Because at the end of the day, it’s your life. It’s your time. And it’s your money. And you deserve to spend it on something that makes you happy.
So, that’s all I’ve got. That’s my unfiltered truth. And I’m sticking to it. No matter what.
About the Author: Sarah Johnson is a senior magazine editor with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. She’s a self-proclaimed pop culture junkie, a die-hard movie buff, and a self-taught tech critic. When she’s not editing articles, she can be found binge-watching the latest Netflix series (yes, she’s still on Netflix) or arguing with her friends about the best way to watch a movie. She currently lives in New York City with her cat, Luna, and her ever-growing collection of DVDs.
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