Stressful Streamageddon

 After the Netflex 3rd quarter conference call and the after hours drop in stock price, I decided to pay attention to the Streaming Wars occurring right here in the USA.  Add to this the recent scare at Verizon and ATT with Elon Musk Starlink purchase of spectrum.  All of this reminds me of my days at Accenture during the telecommunications boom and predictions about the monthly consumer cost of content and delivery as the internet was just taking off (1996-2000). 

The key performance indicator is "engagement" or time viewers spend on your service along with churn.  How much time are you watching "TV" (the old term) or on the Computer (another old term) or the cell phone (soon to be another old term).  

I think the real issue returns me to one of my favorite books "The Paradox of Choice" by Barry Schwartz. Not only is there too much choice in content, there are many choices of delivery, bundles, and teaming.  Even AI doesn't help with choosing or deciding.   

With too much choice - no choice is the favorite.

Service	Cheapest	Premium	Bundles	Carrier Perks	Card Credits
Netflix	$8.99	$26.99	None	T‑Mobile	Amex Platinum
Prime Video	$8.99	$19.98	Prime Channels	Metro	Amex Platinum
Disney+	$11.99	$18.99	Disney Bundle	Verizon	Amex Platinum
Hulu	$12.49	$21.49	Disney Bundle	Verizon	Amex Platinum
Paramount+	$8.99	$13.99	Prime Channels	T‑Mobile	Citi Custom Cash
Apple TV+	$14.99	—	Apple One	T‑Mobile	Apple Card
Max	$10.99	$22.99	Prime Channels	AT&T	Chase Sapphire