Will streaming platforms die?

By: Eduardo Gutiérrez

The 2010s were beginning; Rihanna and LMFAO were on the radio, the word smartphone it was starting to be used everywhere, and movie buffs and non-movie buffs alike would go to a branch of the now-defunct Blockbuster (R.I.P.) to rent the weekend's movie for a limited time.

So we started hearing about something called Netflix and a very particular entertainment consumption model: the streaming. This model completely changed how we accessed home cinema; since its arrival, we no longer own our movies and series, but we do have access to countless of them, as long as we pay a monthly fee.

The birth of streaming It was a masterstroke. It not only dismantled the movie rental and sales industry but also defeated its most popular enemy: piracy. Suddenly, paying a monthly subscription seemed much more convenient than dealing with dubious websites or buying pirated DVDs.

So it began boom. New platforms emerged, and what was initially a revolution for watching movies and series soon spread to industries like music, education, and more. Today, Netflix is not just a platform; it's a content producer and one of the most valuable brands in the world. Alongside it, giants like Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, and new mergers like Max joined the game, each bringing its own distinct touch.

But something is changing.

In recent years, these platforms have begun to impose restrictions and change the rules of the game. Netflix no longer allows account sharing, Disney+ is following the same path, and Prime Video will begin including ads in its content. What was once a simple and pleasant experience is now beginning to lose its appeal.

If one follows the conversation on this topic, both on social media and offline, one can realize how some people who had abandoned piracy today are increasingly tempted to return to it, setting aside the increase in payments and the change in the rules of the game. streaming.