In the middle of 2022, Netflix experienced a series of blows, resulting in Plunging stock prices and mass layoffs, it’s easy to point out that HBO Max is a streaming service that has solved its problems.It has won Emmys for its original series, and reality shows such as foboy i. there is a buzz, sesame street With a strong lineup of children’s and family programming, its film library is enhanced by TCM’s extensive collection of classic titles.
A year later, the newly rebranded Max has added some existential gloom to the streaming landscape, becoming the leader of a deeply disturbing trend: streaming services throwing their original movies in the trash, or not just It’s the cancellation of the show, but the full launch. Delete them and never stream again.
A year ago, WarnerMedia launched this “cost-saving initiative” with a bombshell announcement: the upcoming bat girl The movie will be put on permanent hold until it premieres on the service.Plus removing series like west world and raised by wolves (later appearing on FAST, the free ad-supported streaming TV platform) sparked an ongoing similar move by other studios, using the same tactics to boost their own profits.
Having access to vast, seemingly limitless amounts of entertainment at any time is a relatively recent development in human history. However, thanks to Max, Disney+, and Paramount+, it’s starting to feel like it’s coming to an end. Oh, and there’s more to watch than a person can watch in a lifetime. But consumer trust is built on these platforms, which are reliable homes for the stories we love — and those platforms crumble every time a new movie or TV show is permanently removed from streaming.
some historical perspective
These days, shows and movies are constantly switching back and forth between platforms (e.g., harry potter constantly changing between Peacock and Max).When the original works owned by the platform are only Disappeared.
The idea of preserving movies and TV for consumers to watch again wasn’t a high priority before home video came along, so much so that much of the earlier decades’ content was lost forever.Library of Congress Estimates 75% of all silent films made before 1929 Gone forever.In television, disinterest in archiving aired material affects long-form sci-fi series doctor who: 97 of 253 episodes aired between 1963 and 1969 missingbecause of the BBC’s policy at the time regarding removal of material.
Doctor Who (BBC)