Streaming May Get Worse Before It Gets Better in 2026

Streaming services may be about to get a little worse before they get better. In a recent article on Ars Technica, the author discusses what subscribers can expect in 2026. The article highlights the challenges that streaming services face, including the increasing cost of content and the need to balance profitability with user experience.

According to the article, streaming services are facing a perfect storm of challenges. The cost of content is rising, and the number of subscribers is not growing as quickly as expected. This means that streaming services need to find ways to reduce costs and increase revenue without alienating their users.

One way that streaming services are trying to reduce costs is by introducing subscription limits. This means that users will only be able to stream a certain amount of content per month before they are charged extra. This is a move that is likely to be unpopular with users, but it may help streaming services to reduce their costs and increase their profitability.

Another way that streaming services are trying to reduce costs is by introducing ads. This is a move that is likely to be unpopular with users, but it may help streaming services to increase their revenue and reduce their costs.

The article also highlights the need for streaming services to improve their user experience. This includes making it easier for users to find and watch the content that they want, and providing more personalized recommendations.

Overall, the article suggests that streaming services may be about to get a little worse before they get better. However, it also suggests that there are ways for streaming services to improve their user experience and increase their profitability without alienating their users.

Challenges Facing Streaming Services

• Increasing cost of content
• Need to balance profitability with user experience
• Subscription limits
• Introduction of ads
• Need to improve user experience

Ways to Improve User Experience

• Make it easier for users to find and watch the content that they want
• Provide more personalized recommendations
• Improve the user interface and user experience

Conclusion

Streaming services may be about to get a little worse before they get better. However, there are ways for streaming services to improve their user experience and increase their profitability without alienating their users. By introducing subscription limits and ads, and improving the user experience, streaming services can reduce their costs and increase their revenue without alienating their users.

Sources

[2] “Streaming stops feeling infinite”: What subscribers can expect in 2026