Has anyone else noticed that before streaming services, we watched the 4 main local networks for free. We had to watch ads. But some people like me, opted for a Tivo where we could skip ads. So, in essence, we got all the local networks for free and didn''t have to watch ads.
Today, you can still install a digital antenna and watch the networks for free. But, you still have ads to deal with and the fact that many networks no longer show their prime shows on a broadcast. They instead only show them when you pay for their streaming service.
With most streaming costing from roughly $5 to $20 per month, this can really add up fast. If you get all the main network streaming services, you could spend around $100 per month.
Of course you could get Direct TV, YouTube TV, or some comparable streaming service that gives all, or nearly all, networks. But the Direct TV I cancelled last month was costing me $169 per month!
And the number of streaming services seems to change by the month. A lot of new ones pop up and some then get gobbled up by a larger one and disappear.
Are we better off today than 20 years ago? That can be highly debatable. We''re certainly spending a lot more money than 20 years ago just to watch TV shows.
As nearly always, I believe this comes down to networks just trying to make more money. But the ironic thing here is that the networks are all struggling to make a profit.
What''s the answer to this quagmire? Well, I don''t know that. I only know that we are, in many ways, far worse off than 20 years ago. The networks aren''t making more money, the we the consumers aren''t getting better service but are paying a lot more.
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