Streaming is basically cable you can pay double for, just with the option of fewer ads—sometimes. In fact, as prices climb and quality stumbles, we’re bombarded with more ads than actual quality content.
it’s a product of the culture we live in, and frankly I despise that. Most would agree, I think. It’s hard enough to find what you’re looking for, but that fact that I can only find chopped-up versions of some of my favorite films when I’m paying to access them feels pretty bad.
This reality was hilariously evident during two recent streaming escapades: a Christmas Day streaming marathon and a determined quest to find The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt. 2.
The Christmas Day Shuffle
Christmas is supposed to be a time for relaxation, good food, and great entertainment. But for Alexis and me, it became a prime example of how fragmented the streaming world has become.
We needed Netflix for football, Disney+ for basketball, and yet none of our favorite Christmas movies were conveniently available. Want Elf? That’s on Max. Want A Charlie Brown Christmas? Good luck—it’s exclusive to Apple TV+. Even classics like Home Alone required a trip to Paramount+. It’s as if the holiday spirit comes at an additional monthly subscription cost.
As if that wasn’t frustrating enough, my in-laws’ power had gone out a day or two before Christmas, and they hadn’t yet reset their internet system. My mother-in-law spent a good chunk of Christmas Day battling the router to get the Wi-Fi up and running. Imagine trying to juggle three streaming services and a tech crisis—all while pretending this was a “relaxing holiday.”
Obviously, we still had a good holiday as a family. But the experience laid bare the absurdity of paying for multiple services only to feel like you still have nothing to watch.
The Hunt for “Hunger Games 4”
Our Christmas chaos was just the prelude to another frustrating saga. Recently, we decided to rewatch The Hunger Games series, only to find that the fourth installment, Mockingjay Pt. 2, was missing from our extensive streaming arsenal.
Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Paramount+, Apple TV+, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video, and even freebies like Tubi and Freevee failed us. After exhausting every option, Prime Video finally offered a solution—but only if we subscribed to AMC+ through an add-on.
Streaming’s DLC Problem
Since when did streaming become a maze of DLC add-ons? Paying for Amazon Prime is no longer enough; now you need a “sub-subscription” to access the content you actually want. We begrudgingly started a free trial of AMC+ rather than paying $5 to rent the movie outright.
But even the so-called “premium” AMC+ experience was disappointing.
The subscription promised an ad-free experience, but we were left with TV-formatted movies featuring abrupt fade-outs where ads used to be.
Essentially, AMC+ took their TV content, plopped it online, and slapped a price tag on it without improving the viewing experience.
The Illusion of Convenience
It’s not just about ads or missing content—it’s the constant churn of what’s available.
Services like Peacock and Netflix shuffle their catalogs, pulling movies like John Wick 2 just when you plan to watch them, only to quietly reintroduce them a day after you paid to watch it somewhere else.
Even Apple TV’s usually-useful “Continue Watching” feature couldn’t save us from this chaos. One day, a movie is on our watchlist; the next, it’s gone because no one’s showing it.
It’s like we’re subscribing to a bunch of little, virtual movie theaters with faceless managers that keep upping the price without considering consumer interest or investment.
Similarly, the streaming services’ content and user interface reflect the varying staff friendliness and aptitude depending on which local cinema you prefer. Hulu’s got the kid on staff who doesn’t wash his hands before scooping your popcorn.
The Value of Physical Media
If I’m being totally real, I’ve never felt so gaslit in my life, making us pay for the privilege of hunting for content. There’s a lack of justice there that makes my stomach turn.
Both of these experiences—the Christmas Day shuffle and the Hunger Games debacle—highlighted the importance of owning physical media. When you buy a movie, you’re not just purchasing entertainment; you’re safeguarding it from disappearing into the streaming void.
Streaming services prioritize profit over preservation, and even when there’s money to be made, they’ll still cut corners. Physical copies ensure you can enjoy your favorite films exactly as intended, free from corporate meddling or platform changes.
The bigger problem: the masses value convenience over quality, which will probably be why I won’t be able to find a Blu-ray player by the time I turn 40. But that’s a conversation for another time.
Streaming’s Identity Crisis
Every company wants a slice of the streaming pie, but few hit the mark. Platforms like Peacock survive on exclusive IP like The Office and Sunday Night Football, but beyond that, they struggle for relevance.
Even heavyweights like Amazon and Disney+ seem more focused on carving out new revenue streams than delivering consistent quality.
I don’t want a Simpsons-themed NFL game. No one wants that.
The result of constantly looking forward while being responsible for preserving what’s behind you is a fragmented, overpriced ecosystem that leaves viewers frustrated and exhausted.
The Bottom Line
Streaming promised convenience, but its quirks—rising prices, scattered content, constant churn, and unreliable internet (if you’re at the in-laws’)—make it feel more like a chore. If you truly value a movie or show, the safest bet is still to own it outright.
Because at this rate, the only thing streaming consistently delivers is a reminder of how much you’re paying for how little you get.
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