The Article below was published in Vol. 136, Issue 5 of the Lake Forest College Stentor on February 19, 2021.
By Adam Hartzer ’23
Managing Editor | Layout Editor
For those that watched the Super Bowl this year, there was a heavy focus of advertisements on the upcoming streaming platform, Paramount+, launching March 4. This new platform plans to follow suit of its competitors by offering expanded content that is exclusive to subscribers of the service.
Originating with Netflix’s competitor Hulu, the rising streaming service introduced a “plus” option that offers additional content to users at a premium charge. As Hulu expanded its library, contracts with certain networks and film corporations ended.
Netflix’s original library experienced a removal of many fan favorites soon after. Most recently, and arguably one of the most popular shows, NBC’s The Office was removed from Netflix collection on January 1, 2021. Like many other TV shows that have since disappeared from Netflix, NBCUniversal let its license with Netflix end as it began developing its own streaming subscription service, Peacock.
In order to differentiate itself from its growing competition, Netflix began creating original content to replace the shows that were being pulled from its platform. Popular Netflix original series such as Stranger Things, The Crown, and Outer Banks helped Netflix fill the void of previous content with shows that were produced exclusively for their platform.
As networks continue to split from Netflix and develop their own streaming platforms, consumers are left choosing which to subscribe to. In late 2019, AppleTV+ launched as a premium service to AppleTV alongside Disney+, the now-popular collection of Disney-owned networks and franchises, including Pixar, Marvel, Disney Animation, Star Wars, and National Geographic. Disney+ also provided exclusive series such as Mandalorian that enticed fans to subscribe to the service.
With the success of Disney+, NBC’s Peacock streaming platform quickly followed, launching in April 2020. Since then, Discovery+ recently launched at the start of 2021, which includes an expanded collection of channels including: Discovery, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, OWN, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, and more.
Now with Paramount+, some consumers are wondering how many other platforms will emerge, along with how many paywalls viewers may soon be faced with in order to watch their favorite shows and movies.
