Streaming Services Repeat Cable Industry's Pricing and Value Mistakes

A former cable industry employee recounts a 1987 anecdote about customer expectations of annual price increases without added value, drawing a parallel to modern streaming services. The op-ed argues that streaming platforms are repeating the same mistakes as traditional cable and satellite providers, such as predictable price hikes, content fragmentation, and a focus on subscriber growth over customer satisfaction. The author suggests that without innovation in pricing or value, streamers risk alienating subscribers and triggering a churn cycle similar to cable's decline.

Global Impact

The streaming industry's trajectory has economic implications for content production, advertising markets, and broadband infrastructure. As platforms raise prices and fragment content, consumers may revert to piracy or cable-like bundles, reshaping the competitive landscape.