The Problem With Streaming Television and Movies

The other night I was looking to watch the movie “Cherry.” This is a movie starring Tom Holland, directed by the Russo Brothers (of Avengers fame), based on a book written by Nico Walker.

There were many reviews for the movie, most of them negative. Which made me want to watch it. I looked to see if it was available, and learned that it was in the theaters — which I am not going to these days (*cough* Covid-19 *cough*). It was also available on Apple TV.

I subscribe to Apple TV, so I figured I could put it on, but then I thought that I might also like to watch Nomadland, which I recall was available at some point or another on Amazon — or at least I thought it was, because I had seen Frances McDormand’s face on Prime or somewhere.

To be honest, I can’t really remember why I thought Nomadland was available on Prime. Maybe it never was. And Cherry, how would I know it was on Apple TV if I didn’t go looking for it, wondering how to watch.

In short, I am very confused. And I am certain that I am not alone. Between HBO Max, Prime, Apple TV, Netflix, Hulu — it’s a dizzying number of apps that I have to click through just to figure out who has got what movie/TV show and for how long. A lot of times I spend a half hour trying to find the thing I’m looking for, and just as soon as I find it, turn the TV off.

This is not the future that streaming promised. Or, even a future that is a good one. I am in the minority, for sure, in that I…