Apple Annie’s WeblogWhy I stick with Netflix.
Netflix was my first streaming platform and I still use it today. In fact, I've never cancelled it at all. This isn't to say I don't have complaints or that the service hasn't had issues or even changed what value they offer to subscribers. But I've stuck with it anyway, and I think there are a few reasons.
I first used Netflix back when it was DVD-by-mail only—gosh what year was that? I can't even recall. It quickly replaced the trip to Hollywood Video or Blockbuster. And then soon I was using my Playstation with a Netflix DVD to access the first incarnation of their streaming platform—I still have that disk!
Soon after that, the disk was no longer required to stream on my Playstation and my TiVo also offered Netflix streaming. Eventually I "upgraded" to AppleTV and I think now I'm on my third model. This has been the longest version of the Netflix platform that I've used over the years, unless you count the website. I also use the iOS and iPadOS apps, though don't often use the one on my phone. I do take my iPad to bed quite often to watch Netflix at night.
Throughout this time there have never been commercials on Netflix, not even an inkling or threat that I know of. And Netflix also doesn't shove previews for other shows at the beginning of episodes. Yes, the cost has increased, and you could say that the quality has decreased, but for me it still fills a hole.
I think the major benefit that Netflix has going for it is that it offers entire seasons upfront. This may not seem like a big deal to some people, but I like to binge, and I hate to wait. I hate to wait so much that I will let a new season of something on AppleTV+ or HBOMax sit and accrue episodes before I start watching it. Sometimes I'll wait until a season is almost entirely done, then catch up in a week or weekend, only to watch the finale as everyone else does.
I don't want to wait a whole week for new episodes—for what? what are we waiting for anymore?! it isn't broadcast TV! the waiting is pointless! you could argue that it might make sense on HBOMax because there is still a cable channel associated with it, but it makes no sense at all on AppleTV+—obviously, I have an opinion about this.
Netflix also provides me a fallback, if you want to call it that. Most other streaming platforms that still somewhat follow network television seasons, also follow the same seasonal lag for new shows and episodes. This drives me somewhat crazy, like we don't get a new episode sometimes because there's a holiday as if the person pushing the publish button is off that day. Sigh. So, I'll often watch Netflix when the other platforms lose their collective minds.
And then there's the nature of my chronic illness, which often leaves me bed- or chair-bound for some extended periods of time. There's not a lot to do in bed or laid up in a chair in the living room when you are too tired to read, or the eye strain from reading causes a migraine. A darkened room, even audio only if watching a screen is too much, with some Netflix playing quietly gets me through some hard times. This is when I don't mind the nonsense drivel of what I call the "Hallmark Channel quality" of some of Netflix's recent content.
When it comes to what bothers me most about Netflix, I'd say top-of-mind is the lack of two-factor authentication. There's really no excuse for it in 2024. I don't know what the hold-up is but I find it to be pretty unacceptable and if anything would make cancel my subscription, that might be it.
It also really bothers me that out of all the streaming services on my AppleTV, Netflix is the only one that does not tie into the TV app so that I can peruse and resume shows from my list of Up Next programs. If I'm really into some seasons or shows on other platforms that all allow me to use Up Next in the TV app I can sometimes go months without opening Netflix, and that's too bad for them.
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