The Netflix Binge Streaming Model is a Scam

I dare you to raise your hand if you’ve never been a victim of random-tv-show-canceling-syndrome.

I’ve been, multiple times, from The Society, to the incredible first season of Lockwood and Co., to the most recent, heart breaking cancellation of Shadow and Bones after only two seasons, and after a spin-off was announced.

Together with these, there are many other shows that I personally loved, but got canceled without ever getting a proper ending, and the worst part is that it seems to have become a trend among online streaming platforms.

Why? Well, the reason is extremely simple, but highly unnerving: MONEY.

These platforms are offering a service in exchange of money. This is not a bad thing on its own, producers, writers and actors need to be paid, and asking those who enjoy their work to pay a minimum for it, is not a bad idea.

But recently, the very beloved and originally convenient Netflix binge streaming model, that was the reason why many shows have become popular quickly, has actually turned its back on its viewers, and its shows, those that actually make the money.

Before the coming of Netflix, and the raising of many other streaming services, tv shows would be aired on tv, usually one or two episodes, once a week, and they would have on average 22 episodes per season.

This allowed for people to talk about the show, give time to them to learn about it and later on jump on the train.

I fell in love with The 100 after its second season aired.

I loved Teen Wolf, but I didn’t start watching it until the fifth season came out.

And like me, many others, and that’s why many shows were not eventful at the beginning, but developed a faithful and loving fandom throughout the years.

With binge streaming, instead, shows have been given anything between a week to one month to perform really high, become really popular, and actually earn a spot in the production line. Meanwhile, before, shows were given years to do the same thing.

Everything moves faster now, but not everybody can sit and binge an entire season in less than a week, and not every show is given the same shot: there are shows and movies that are highly hyped up and promoted by their streaming platforms, while others are just barely mentioned, giving them an unfair disadvantage.

On top of all of this, streaming platforms, that already require a paying customer, are adding ads to offer lower rates. But if you are already paying, why should you be fed ads?

It is unfair, highly criminal, and extremely greedy.

Obviously, this is not a first world problem, but in a world where tv shows have become so popular that you are eventually going to talk about them with anyone, it feels highly unfair that we can’t enjoy the stories we love, that we pay for, and expect to know how it ends.

It has gotten to a point where I’ve started thinking about watching only movies and ditching tv shows altogether. Because what is the point to love the first season, if you are never going to know what happens next?