• JCPhoenix@beehaw.org
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        11 months ago

        Movies and TV are some peoples’ hobbies. I have a co-worker who used to spend $300/mo on a cable bill because she had all the movie channels and stuff. She watched tons of movies and shows. At first I thought she was weird for watching so much TV, but then I thought about how much gaming I do, and realized “Oh, that’s just her hobby like gaming is mine.” Granted, I’m not spending $300/mo on gaming, but people do tend to spend money on hobbies. Sometimes even more than $300/mo.

        Anyway, I’ve been letting her use my Netflix account – surprisingly neither of us have seen anything from Netflix about it – for the last several years. She recently (finally) got a Smart TV so she cancelled her crazy-ass cable package and I think pays for YouTube TV now. I’m sure she’s watching just as much as TV and movies as ever, but at least she’s saving some money.

        • baseless_discourse@mander.xyz
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          11 months ago

          Uh that makes sense. I guess my original comment is more out of jealousy: I have so many movies that I want to watch, but I have never find the time and energy to do so. After work, dinner, chat, duolingo, and lunch prep for my wife, I barely find any time during my night, and it is kind of frustrating for me.

          Last year, I have only finished like less than 5 from like 50 titles.

          I am glad people are enjoying their hobby. I personally would not be on Netflix anymore as most of the movie I want to watch is not on there, but I can now kind of see it might be worth it for others.

          It also surprises me that this large amount of the population takes movie and TV as a hobby.

          • JCPhoenix@beehaw.org
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            11 months ago

            Gotcha, apologies for the misread!

            Honestly, I was surprised too. I guess given how ubiquitous movies and television are, it never really occurred to me that it could be a hobby. And I bet most people don’t think of it as a hobby, either. When I think of a hobby related to TV/Movies, I think more like “film snobs” (for lack of a better term). Maybe people who watch the AFI 100 or whatever and know all about film and cinematography. But not people just watching TV like anyone else. But by definition, it’s a hobby. It’s “a pursuit outside one’s regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation.”

            For my coworker, she’s single and childless. So she has tons of time to watch movies and shows outside of work. I’m the same, but I devote it mainly towards gaming. Though I could certainly stand to devote less time to my hobby. Or pick up some new ones at least!

            Hope you’ll be able to find some more time to watch the movies and show you want!

        • diyrebel@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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          11 months ago

          You might let her know that she can borrow DVDs from the public library at no cost. Another little-known gratis option is freesat and terrestrial broadcast. I recently started using MythTV as a PVR to record broadcast TV and was pleasantly surprised to find no commercial interruptions (but if there are commercials in her region, MythTV can cut them out).

    • Lauchs@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      I think of it like those people are subsidizing my free content.

      If no one subscribes, we don’t get Love, Death and Robots season 3 4!

        • Lauchs@lemmy.world
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          11 months ago

          Ahaha, dang I got so excited before google pointed out I’m an idiot and meant season 4. (But on the other hand, did find out it was renewed for a 4th, so that’s groovy!)

    • maus@sh.itjust.works
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      11 months ago

      What they don’t advertise is how many of those “new” subscribers are actually from their “emerging” markets such as India, where a subscription price is peanuts. Also, im fairly certain these numbers are intentionally skewed to paint a better picture as they lump in all the “free” accounts people get with their other subscriptions.

      I get Paramount+ free with Walmart+. I get Hulu/Netflix/AppleTV with Tmobile Mobile. I get Max with ATT Fiber.

      I’m sure that these streaming companies have more new subscribers when they literally give it away and simultaneously strangling their existing consumers. It’s more of a question of how long is it sustainable for them to raise prices every time they’re not going to have a record quarter.