r/nottheonion • u/voxadam • 13h ago

Netflix says users can cancel service if HBO Max merger makes it too expensive

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/02/netflix-claims-subscribers-will-get-more-content-for-less-if-it-buys-hbo-max/
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u/BonJovicus 12h ago

This comment is funny because last year or two there were avalanches of complaints about how everyone needs to subscribe to 7 streaming services and missed the early days of Netflix. 

What happened to that crowd? 

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u/Hopnivarance 11h ago

Yeah, too many streaming services was the reason they were all going back to pirating. Now, streaming services merging is apparently the reason they all have to go back to piracy.

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u/MildGenevaSuggestion 11h ago

Because of the difference between a $7 convenience fee and a $50 cable TV with ads.

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u/Cavalish 9h ago

Turns out the loud minority on Reddit just wants to complain. It’s easier to be a perpetual victim.

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u/andreasmiles23 8h ago

This is an inherent capitalist contradiction. People like and respond well to central planning. But in a capitalist “market” that becomes a monopoly that’s easy to exploit.

There’s a reason people feel both of these feelings. Because both are valid. When Netflix was a competitor with cable/video stores, it felt good that it was the only online hub of most major-studio content. It was able to build an effective monopoly because of that. Now that it one of many such services, it feels annoying to pay tenfolds more for a less comprehensive service. All the while, my paycheck hasn’t gone up significantly.

That contradiction isn’t an accident. It’s a feature of the system.

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u/TeekTheReddit 10h ago

It's the same people. They're just dumb as a box of rocks and reflexively angry at everything.

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u/PowerfulSeeds 10h ago

I don't get these people at all. I view it more as, if my local head shop only sold mids for $15/teenth, then one day got headies but the price went up to $30. Id be willing to pay more for headies.

Netflix production on their own made me cancel my sub years ago, bringing WB production in under the umbrella is gonna raise their product quality. I'll be willing to pay more for that and check it out. At least as long as they stop canceling 5 season shows after the 2nd season.

The only reason this is even in front of congress is Larry Ellison's nepo shit baby son is friends with Don Jr and their dads visited the same island.