2023 has been a rather chaotic and disruptive year for Hollywood and the streaming category. Even with one of the two major strikes settled, the studios find themselves in a rather tight financial position and without a lot of new content to broadcast in 2024.
Some of the most popular TV series on Netflix and Disney+ have been delayed for at least 12 months because of ongoing work disruptions and consumers are starting to question the impact on their wallet when it comes to having multiple subscriptions that have become more expensive.
Netflix seems to be the lone exception to the rule right now when it comes to subscriber growth.
So what exactly is going on right now and were we correct with our initial predictions for 2023?
Netflix
It has been a year since Netflix introduced its ad-supported plan. Many thought this would take Netflix down a notch but instead, Netflix has announced the new ad-supported plan has attracted 15 million subscribers so far. What is ironic is that Netflix makes more money per subscriber for the Ad-supported plan than it does from its Non-Ad plans. Go figure.
To tap into this momentum, Netflix has announced that it is adding a new perk for subscribers of its Ad-supported plan. The Netflix Ad-Supported Plan is priced at $6.99 month.
For those who like to binge-watch, streaming fans who watch three consecutive episodes of a series that contain ads, and subscribers who want to continue to a fourth episode, will be presented with the option of watching it ad-free.
It also appears that work on the brand new Netflix Studios at Fort Monmouth on the Jersey Shore has yet to begin. EIC Ian White lives less than 2 miles from the proposed $900 million facility which was announced earlier this year and there has been absolute silence from the studio and local governments on the project for almost 5 months.
MAX
Remember HBO Max? Now it’s just MAX.
While Netflix seems to be doing something positive for one category of its subscribers, MAX has sent out emails to current subscribers of its standard Ad-Free Plan ($15.99 mo – $149.99 per year) that it will no longer include 4K viewing (this means it will be 1080p across the board) and will reduce the number of simultaneous streams from three to two.
An email sent to current MAX Ad-Free Plan subscribers said: “On your next billing date, on or after December 5, 2023, the price of your subscription will stay the same, but some of your plan features will change…You can still stream all your favorite blockbuster movies, fresh originals, and iconic series. Or even switch to the Ultimate Ad-Free plan to unlock more features.”
So much for MAX being “The One to Watch” – especially when it comes to 4K.
This means that in order to “restore” the 4K viewing option as well as have the ability to stream to more than two devices at the same time, subscribers will have to jump up to MAX’s Ultimate Ad-Free Plan for $19.99 month ($199.99 per year). The higher-priced plan also provides up to four simultaneous streams.
Disney & Hulu
If those two moves aren’t enough, Disney plans to buyout Comcast’s share of Hulu for $8.61 billion, pending financial evaluation, which would make Disney the sole owner of two streaming services: Disney+ and Hulu. No word yet on any content or pricing changes for Hulu. There is the possibility that Hulu might be absorbed into Disney+ at some point.
UPDATE 11/9/2023: Disney To Test Merged Disney+/Hulu App Beginning December 2023. Full Rollout Expected in Spring 2024 (Variety).
Disney is still trying to manage its “Panderverse controversy” and reverse the trend of its current poorly received shows and movies which have led to subscriber cancellations in multiple markets.
The bottom line is that streaming will not be getting any cheaper and we’re likely to see some consolidation or platforms disappear in 2024.
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David
November 4, 2023 at 1:18 pm
I came for ORT’s comments. ORT? ORT? Where are you?
ORT
November 4, 2023 at 5:18 pm
Jizney’s next move? The Slanderverse®! Wherein we find our Shape-shitting Sheroes® gettin’ down to team up against The Faketriarch of Phallacy®!
Led by Kantlean-Ryte Kennedy, the most powerful of all Social JustUs Worriers (aka – The SJWs), the SJWs are here to bitch fo’ dey Troofs, JustUs and the Woken Way…How you say?
By not merely castrating dem dare rulez but by neutering all men in Film. Don’t think it could fappen?!
Two words: Arnold Schwarzenbegger. Talk about a 180° from Buck to cuck? He’s tranzforming into an old Greta Turdberg. What does Little Morphin-Arnie und Greta have to do with movies?
Not a damn thing. Which is why their sinfluence along with that of Kahntleen and other Femi-Nutzis and their Army of Cucks need to be publicly put down.
Homie don’t play that game.
ORT
David
November 4, 2023 at 6:01 pm
ORT,
You never disappoint.
Regards,
David
Ian White
November 4, 2023 at 6:32 pm
David,
He’s getting his own column this month.
Ian White
David
November 9, 2023 at 7:40 pm
Thank you , Ian. I will look forward to it!
David
James
December 18, 2023 at 3:12 am
Ian is the ORT dead or did you fire him? More than a few of us at Head-Fi and elsewhere have been waiting and its now December and still no column by ORT. Is his stuff now WTF?
James
Ian White
December 18, 2023 at 1:44 pm
James,
I have two columns from him that are in the editing stage. December is a very busy month with holiday guides, reviews, and Editor’s Choice columns.
His brilliance will be available over the weekend.
Best,
Ian