Streaming Service Takeover - Disrupting the TV and Film Industry
July 22, 2021
“Have you watched the latest Netflix exlcusive yet?”
“Did you ever watch that show on Hulu?”
At this point, streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+ have dominated the social scene for so long that it’s almost impossible to go through a conversation without mentioning them at least once. And there's a good reason for that too. The global video streaming market size was valued at USD 50.11 billion in 2020. By 2024 it is expected to reach USD 123.2 billion.
For just a simple subscription fee every month, these streaming services do everything that cable TV can’t do; brings its users access to thousands if not millions of titles on-demand wherever they go from any device they want. It’s caused such a huge impact to the TV and film industry that cable TV usage has plummeted for the sixth straight year since 2015, with now a mere 56% of Americans who say they’ve watched cable TV.
One of the biggest factors involved is no doubt the pandemic, which forced everyone to remain at home. This meant the shutdown of theaters nation-wide, which prompted these streaming platforms to unveil their newest and latest shows via their platforms. What consequently followed was an outpour of revenue.
The money they earn from their business models has transformed them not purely into streaming giants, but also major production companies in their own right. Ever heard of shows such as “Queen’s Gambit” or “Stranger Things”? Netflix was the mastermind behind it all.
Though streaming services are widely available, that also means that competition is just as intense. However, a few platforms have managed to stand out from the rest of the crowd in securing their places in the top 5 best streaming services you can purchase in 2021.
1. Netflix
Netflix Basic:
$9/month for standard definition
Netflix Standard:
$14/month for high-definition streaming on up to two devices
Netflix Premium:
$18/month for up to 4K HDR streaming with Dolby Atmos on up to four devices
Netflix is the king of all streaming platforms with almost 209 million global users. It features many of its own shows which dominate the pop culture industry and continues to produce its own content. It also comes with its own separate library for kid accounts and provides a great selection for all members of a family.
Pros: A great collection of original content, fantastic video quality, great customer support, no commercial interruption
Cons: A lackluster movie collection to other platforms, more expensive package plans
2. Hulu
Hulu Basic:
$6/month streaming with ads
Hulu Premium:
$12/month ad-free streaming
Hulu Basic + Live TV:
$65/month ad-supported streaming and live TV streaming
Hulu Premium + Live TV:
$71/month ad-free streaming and ad-supported live TV streaming
Hulu is one of the most affordable platforms out there that also features a great line of original content and TV shows. In addition to on-demand content, they also provide packages with live TV streaming from your favorite networks such as ABC and Fox.
Pros: Large on-demand TV show library with live TV access
Cons: Harder to share between devices
3. Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime w/ Prime Video:
$119/year or $13/month with Amazon Prime membership included
Prime Video:
$9/month
Nearly 110 million Amazon Prime members have access to the benefits that Prime Video offers, which includes a wide variety of TV shows and movies. It also features its own collection or original content with notable titles such as “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “The Man in the High Castle.”
Pros: Includes Amazon Prime, lets any user rent or purchase any movie title, includes high quality video in every plan
Cons: Not as big of a library as other platforms
4. Disney+
Disney Plus:
$8/month or $80/year
Disney Plus w/ ESPN+ and Hulu:
$14/month
Although Disney+ is one of the newest platforms to enter the streaming services world, it’s quickly risen to the top in terms of dominance. One of the biggest reasons is the fact that the platform provides access to all the beloved content that Disney has ever produced, including what its franchises such as Marvel and Pixar offer.
Pros: All the content that Disney has ever produced, as well as a bundle option with ESPN and Hulu
Cons: A smaller overall library than other platforms
5. HBO Max
HBO Max (no ads):
$15/month ad-free streaming
HBO Max (ads):
$10/month ad-supported streaming with exception to Warner Bros in-theater releases
HBO Max provides a collection of the best that Warner Bros and all of HBO’s cable networks has to offer, with channels like Adult Swim, the DC Universe, Crunchyroll, and more. Warner Bros movies that are shown in theatres are released the very same day to its HBO Max platform which viewers can always look forward to.
Pros: A large selection of shows and films from its popular cable networks, same-day theatrical release to its platform
Cons: A higher cost than competitors, lack of support for high quality video across the board
Some other notable tv and film streaming services include Apple TV, Peacock, BET+, Sling, Youtube TV, and Tubi.
On March 3, 2023, the M3F McDowell Mountain Music Festival in Phoenix, Arizona, kicked off with a fantastic lineup of musicians. The first day saw performances by Maggie Rogers, Polo & Pan, Quinn XCII, COIN, The Knocks, Hayden James, Neil Frances, Becky Hill, Del Water Gap, Neal Francis, Winston Surfshirt, Darius, Jim-E Stack, The Lagoons, St. Terrible (and the Gospel of Nothingness ∆), and Veronica Everheart. Maggie Rogers mesmerized the crowd with her soulful vocals, while Polo & Pan delivered an electrifying performance that had everyone dancing. Quinn XCII's catchy pop hits and COIN's indie rock sound were crowd favorites, while The Knocks kept the energy high with their infectious beats. Hayden James' smooth electronic rhythms and Neil Frances' soulful pop were also highlights of the day, as was Becky Hill's dynamic vocals and Del Water Gap's indie rock sound. Neal Francis' soulful and bluesy tunes, Winston Surfshirt's hip hop and R&B fusion, and Darius' electronic soundscapes were also popular with the crowd.
The venue was the perfect place for Marshmello's electrifying performance, with the large outdoor space providing a perfect setting for his music and visuals. Fans were treated to an immersive experience that combined stunning visuals, mind-blowing effects, and high-energy music that kept the crowd engaged throughout the night. Marshmello's setlist was a hit with the audience, with many fans singing along to his popular tracks and dancing the night away. His shows are known for their upbeat and positive vibe, and Marshmello's music has become a source of inspiration and motivation for many of his fans. The highlight of the show was Marshmello's stage presence, which was electric and captivating. He interacted with the audience and made them feel like they were part of the show. Marshmello's enthusiasm and energy were infectious, and the crowd responded with equal excitement and enthusiasm.
Aoki's set was a mix of his own hits as well as remixes of popular songs that kept the crowd dancing and singing along. His enthusiastic stage presence, ability to hype up the crowd and connect with his audience made for an unforgettable show. The icing on the cake, quite literally, was when Aoki threw his signature cakes into the crowd, Aoki's gesture has become an essential part of his performance and has become a fan favorite over the years. The Talking Stick Resort, with its state-of-the-art sound system, proved to be the perfect venue for Aoki's performance. The combination of Aoki's music and the energetic crowd made the show an unforgettable experience for everyone in attendance. One of the attendees at the show, Sarah, expressed her thoughts on the experience, "The Steve Aoki show was amazing! I have never experienced so much energy in one place before. When he threw the cake into my friend’s face, the crowd went wild! It was such a fun and unique moment. I will never forget it." Aoki's shows have become a must-see for music lovers worldwide, with his infectious energy and innovative sound inspiring a new generation of EDM enthusiasts. And his show at Talking Stick Resort during Super Bowl Weekend was no exception, as Aoki's electrifying performance left the audience wanting more.
There are many different types of popular music, each with a different effect on people. For example, the notion of pop music is far different from that of folk and classical music. The influence of popular music on culture is not limited to music. It is important to note that the history of popular music reveals how much it has changed the culture. Popular music is influenced by society at the time. For example, the popularity of swing and other dance forms reflects the dominant language of the group. For instance, the demand for dance music led to the development of jazz styles. Big band jazz and upbeat swing forms were created. Similarly, work-songs were popular in early America and became a comforting medium for slaves. The influence of music on culture has varied over time and across cultures. The impact of music on culture is profound. In the early twentieth century, the influence of music on culture was so great that it transformed the entire society. Before the 1930s, the role of popular music in society was limited to the development of a nation. Nevertheless, today, the impact of music on culture has remained undiminished. With a little imagination, one can determine how popular songs have shaped the society of a nation.