There are a few different streaming services out there and the race to the top is far from over. However, the most widely used and known is Netflix. It’s relatively cheap and gives you immediate access to some of the best TV shows and (not always the best) movies. It’s easy to spend hours and hours on there. But what are some of the flaws that you might want to consider before you hop on the Netflix train?
Support is slow
Perhaps one of the most common gripes is the fact that getting help with playback and connectivity issues with Netflix doesn’t always have an obvious solution. Their support services aren’t always the fastest and that can leave you in the middle of a bind if you’ve cleared some room for a big binge session. The community, however, is great, and you can find solutions to your Netflix problems easily on the net, including checking whether the whole service is down and how to solve specific error codes.
It’s still geographically limited
This is a problem with movies and TV everywhere, of course. In different countries, different distributors have the rights to certain programs and movies. Some shows are illegal in some countries but not in others. Netflix has to tow the line, unfortunately. Changing your IP address in devices like the PlayStation or using virtual private networks like those from Secure Thoughts can help you bypass the limited nature of Netflix. However, in some countries, getting caught doing that can get you in real trouble. In the United Arab Emirates, for instance, someone was charged for having VPN software on their phone when it was confiscated by police.
It doesn’t keep all of its shows
This is perhaps the biggest red flag. The US remake of political drama House of Cards was easily the most impressive in Netflix’s lineups of its original shows. However, now, House of Cards isn’t even available in all countries because the rights to distribute the show are being sold to other providers. That creates a huge issue for those who want to get Netflix because they want to see what they believe are Netflix-exclusive shows and keep supporting their creation. Don’t be surprised if shows like Marco Polo, Narcos, and the Marvel Universe miniseries go the same way in future.
Binge-watching is a double-edged sword
There’s no denying that it looks like binge-watching shows thanks to streaming services looks like it will become the future. Some series are being entirely written out of the stale “tune in next week” format of television writing to cope with it. But binge-watching also creates an inherent problem with the long-term sustainability of Netflix. Show production can’t catch up to the appetite of the average Netflix consumer. It creates months at a time where you could be left with very little to watch on the service.
Hopefully, some of these problems are going to get solved. Some others, like the issue with different countries, is unlikely to ever see closure. All-in-all, Netflix remains the best streaming service out here, but you have to take the flaws seriously before you make it one of your monthly expenses.
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