Is Netflix on Borrowed Time?

Hands down, Netflix is the most popular streaming service on the block, for now. With the ever growing popularity of the streaming giant, it was only a matter of time before the big media corporations starting getting in on the game. Network television is behind the times when it comes to not only content but on the go services. Sure, you can download their apps but they’re usually slow, cluttered, and not worth the hassle. Most of which leave Netflix the big man on campus.

But, is Netflix about to be a thing of the past?

With two new industry giants in the world of tech and media, Apple and Disney, joining the mix things are about to get a whole lot harder for Netflix to maintain superiority. Between huge financial backings and properties, fans have known and loved Netflix will have to step its game up.

First, unlike the Hulu who’s popularity is growing, Netflix releases either whole seasons or half seasons all at once instead of weekly. Now I know everyone likes to binge Stranger Things in a weekend, but this move may prove costly over the long run. With companies like Apple and Disney in the mix, should they decided to stick to a weekly release schedule the sustainability over the long term should keep viewers renewing their membership.

Even though people love the original content Netflix releases, unless they can release month after month of excellent content its only a matter of time before people cut ties to save the monthly fee. There’s only so many times you can fall asleep to The Office and Friends. Viewers might still subscribe to Netflix, but it will more than likely be a one-and-done for a month to watch all their favorite original content before they bail the next month.

Second, and more importantly, content is king and right now Disney+ has the content to bury Netflix. Between Star Wars, Marvel, Disney and now Fox the new kid on the block have a host of content even without original shows that people would pay to see. Then, of course, they have original content as well. Between spin-offs from the Star Wars universe (The Mandalorian) and Marvel (Falcon, Loki, etc) viewers will look to Disney+ for a continuation of stories everyone grew up loving.

And then, of course, there’s cost and price. Both Disney and Apple have the luxury of hosting their own content. The majority of content that viewers love on Netflix, such as Grey’s Anatomy, requires a licensing fee which drives the cost up along with original content. Obviously, the higher the cost the higher the subscription. Netflix has almost doubled its original subscription price. For the one time $7.99 plan, some go as high as $15.99. They say it’s for original content, but how much would their costs dive if they scrubbed their site clean of shows and content no longer on air? Probably close to the reported $6.99 or $9.99 the two new services are rumored to start at.

Combine all that and now add in their cult followings. Apple has reportedly almost 600 million users. Disney has attractions all over the world outside of just a viewing audience. Apple has some of the biggest names attached to their streaming service. Disney has the ability to bundle Espn+ and Hulu packages. Disney has pulled all of their Marvel original content. How long before staples like Grey’s Anatomy follow? Everyone loves watching previously aired episodes, but Grey’s airs on ABC, a Disney owned property. Can Netflix really keep that content for much longer?

To be fair, Netflix has a ton of original content people love. Stranger Things, Altered Carbon and plenty more will keep the streaming giant going for a little while. But how long before they’re missing out on original content? How long before the cost drives subscriptions up too high to maintain an audience? Cheaper and more family friendly content will push users towards Apple and Disney. How much longer can Netflix hold their lead?