The problem related to streaming services has become a topic of extensive and fervent debate in recent times. While a school of thought holds the opinion that streaming platforms can boost diversity and accessibility, others side with the view that new forms of unfairness in media consumption have emerged. This essay will examine both viewpoints and conclude with personal perspective on this matter.
On the one hand, it is seemingly comprehensible why some people subscribe to the view that streaming services have made television have more varied and accessible content. The first reason is that streaming services boost cultural diversity. Traditional television was often controlled by national broadcasters which can limit audience’s viewpoints, while streaming services provide a platform for every creator, even from small communities, to reach their audiences around the world. Take some non-Western movies on Netflix, such as “Squid Game” or “Sacred Game”, as an example. They focus on more ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ characters, and multi-perspective rather than conventional narrative motifs. As a result, the audience can foster their cross-cultural understanding from diverse stories. In addition, streaming services have democratized entertainment consumption. In other words, streaming platforms enable content creators from various backgrounds to share their ideas and reach global audiences, who can access a huge amount of content without geographical broadcasting limits. For example, rural viewers can access content unavailable on local TV channels, such as K-drama. This could increase cultural understanding and reduce stereotypes between countries.
On the other hand, proponents believe that streaming services can cause inequality in media consumption. The primary reason for this is economic inequality through subscription fees. Although streaming platforms seem to be accessible to everyone, almost all the content viewers want to watch requires a fee. For instance, some TV subscription models, such as the Netflix premium plan or YouTube ad-free models, are exclusive to wealthier users to maintain. Another reason is the domination of global corporations. This means that large companies, such as Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon, have enormous influence on what people watch worldwide. As a result, streaming services have the potential to increase monopolization in the industry, which can decline competition and threaten the development of small businesses.
In conclusion, having looked at both opinions in detail, I am convinced that both sides are correct in their own way. Even though streaming services offer a more diverse and accessible way to television, they also create new forms of inequality. Therefore, in my opinion, the feasible approach to deal with this problem is that streaming businesses should introduce more affordable plans for students and workers to promote both diversity and genuine inclusiveness. Besides that, viewers should also vary the content to support local businesses.