Years of Experience Writing Streaming Guides: Streaming Quality Declining for Movie Fans

Streaming giants like Netflix, which kickstarted the streaming era in 2007. Back in the day, they were all about mailing out DVDs (remember that?) until they made the genius move to develop an app for watching on-demand content right on your TV. And the rest is history!

Fast forward to 2011, Netflix fully embraced streaming, phasing out those DVDs and offering a massive library of movies for just $8 a month. It was a steal, especially as cable prices were soaring. But alas, all good things must come to an end, and the heyday of streaming is no exception.

Netflix shook things up with “streaming originals,” starting with the hit series House of Cards in 2013. They saw what viewers wanted and went for it, setting the stage for a slew of in-house productions. Other studios followed suit, with Disney+ and HBO Max launching in 2020 with their own impressive lineups.

But as streaming services competed for viewers’ attention, the focus shifted to original content over classic movies. Subscriptions skyrocketed, but the libraries dwindled. In 2022, Netflix felt the pinch, losing subscribers and seeing their stock prices plummet. And suddenly, the streaming world was hit with “shrinkflation.”

Many beloved older movies disappeared from your favorite platforms, leaving us all scratching our heads. Turns out, the data showed that folks weren’t exactly clamoring for those classics. So, out they went—either to ad-supported services or behind a rental paywall.

So, what’s a movie lover to do? Cue the rise of digital rentals. These days, streaming guides point less to what’s included in your subscription and more to what you can rent for a movie night. While the landscape of streaming may be shifting, one thing remains constant: There’s always something to watch.