will reveal a lot about what happens to the audience for big network shows when they become streaming properties.
You can bet execs at NBCUniversal and Disney will be studying their streaming data carefully to see whether these new shows manage to lure new subscribers, and whether they drive a lot of engagement among existing users. If they click, don’t be surprised if some other iconic network titles make the jump to streaming-only next season. Similarly, the industry will also be paying close attention to how another big former network tentpole,, does for new home Prime Video.
Still, it’s worth considering the possibility of a backlash as the biggest streamers introduce ads, particularly if the rollout is improperly handled. Disney+ is definitely inviting consumer anger with its decision to frame ads not as a way of saving money but as a method of avoiding a big price hike. Consider: When HBO Max introduced its ad tier last year, it did so by offering consumers a chance to save $5 per month off the $15 monthly fee they’d been paying for about a year .