Big Shot

• Streaming services have dramatically transformed the media landscape, allowing consumers unparalleled access to vast libraries of content.
• This increase in competition has created many challenges for streaming services and resulted in many services recently reporting losses of both subscribers and profits.

Content removal: for the consumer experience or just a tax write-off?

• Previously, content has been usually removed from streaming services due to licensing agreements.
• But the more recent content removal discussion raises questions associated with streaming services – and their overarching corporations – wanting to save money.
• The removal of original content from streaming services, in most instances, means they will not be accessible to viewers anywhere.
• More content is expected to disappear in upcoming quarters, which could also include original content.

Has the streaming bubble burst?

• It was reported Netflix lost 200,000 subscribers worldwide, the complete opposite of Wall Street’s expectation that the service would add 2.5 million subscribers.
• This was only exacerbated by the loss of 3.8 million subscribers to its Disney+ Hotstar streaming services (the Disney+ service offered in India and parts of Southeast Asia).
• Warner Bros Discovery also reported a financial loss of US$217 million across its streaming services.

The impact on viewers and creators

• Eliza Skinner, head writer for Earth to Ned, which was removed from Disney+, says they were not aware of the decision until seeing it reported in an article.
• Band of Brothers, The Pacific, Six Feet Under and Ballers will also be available on Netflix as part of the deal.
• This is a significant shift in the previous approach by streaming services to create “originals” as a way to increase subscriptions.

Too many chefs in the production kitchen

• For television series, licensing and agreements can become extremely complicated when multiple studios are involved across multiple seasons.
• This resulted in the first three seasons streaming on Disney’s Hulu service, while Netlfix had all five on its service.
• This was due to a “first run” agreement Foxtel had signed many years prior to Netflix’s involvement.

Will there be resurgence of physical media?

• That is, if you can find a store that sells physical media – Kmart removed the sale of physical media more than five years ago.
• But for much of the new content being produced, physical media are not available.
• This means consumers will not be able to access the content once it has been removed from a streaming service.

• The premieres kick off the second half of the 16-episode first season of "Act Your Age," running weekly on Saturday nights through the summer.
• Bounce will air the first seven episodes in double-features every Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT starting April 29.
• A spring season marathon is set for Saturday, May 27 starting at 5:30 p.m.
• Comedy  includes series coded as situation comedy, comedy variety, and evening animation, excludes programs with less than 3 telecasts; based on M-SU 8-8:30P Strict Daypart 9/19/22 – 4/9/23)

• The premieres kick off the two-part, 16-episode first season, with the first eight episodes running weekly throughout the spring and the second half running over the summer.
• "Act Your Age" stars Kym Whitley ("Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Next Friday," "Young and Hungry") and Tisha Campbell ("Uncoupled," "My Wife and Kids," "Dr. Ken") with special guest star Yvette Nicole Brown ("Community," "The Mayor," "Big Shot").
• The multi-generational sitcom also features Mariah Robinson ("The Wrong Valentine") and Nathan Anderson ("Black-ish," "Richie Rich,") as the 20-something children of Angela and Bernadette, respectively.
• Alyson Fouse ("Big Shot," "Everybody Hates Chris," "The Wanda Sykes Show") created the series and serves as showrunner and executive producer.