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February 1, 2022

The contraction in the streaming service market has officially started. Actually, it started in 2021 and will likely continue into 2022. Oversaturation in the market (which we've talked about on several occasions here) has finally led to the expected result.

Streamer's Spotlight: Several Streaming Services Died in 2021

Anyone you ask could probably tell you: There are far too many streaming services out there. We learned that the hard way when we created our list of 200+ streaming services. Previously, the biggest challenge in making the list was keeping up with the services were being added. After 2021, however, it seems we're in a contraction period.

Over a dozen services disappeared in 2022

Yes, that's right. We ended up removing 12 streaming services from our this year. And when we update our list again, we wouldn't be surprised if we were forced to remove more, too.

The streaming service market reached a point of oversaturation right before the pandemic hit. In a 2019 interview with Best Company, we also mentioned this is causing a problem of over-choice (or choice overload), where people have so many options they tend not to pick any or as many as they might if they had fewer options.

The pandemic was the trigger necessary to send the streaming market into the correction it needed.

Most services that closed were small

This one's obvious, but it's worth noting. The large services are doing fine. And in fact, oversaturation presented a buyers' market for some of the bigger streaming service providers. So not every service that disappeared in 2021 was gone for good. Many simply got bought and were absorbed into other service providers.

For example, FilmStruck is now simply part of Turner Classic Movies and FandangoNOW is now part of Vudu. Others were merged into other services owned by the company that made them, such as NBC Sports Gold (now the sports section in Peacock) and CW Seed, which was merged into the regular CW site.

Still, some are gone completely. That's the case with Tribeca Shortlist, which originally launched in 2015. Users are now greeted with a redirect to the Lionsgate website but have no streaming options.

Expect more mergers in 2022

Although 2021 was a major year for consolidation in the streaming market, that contraction probably isn't over yet. And it's going to impact more industries than just streaming. That's certainly something video game players are feeling right now.

This Week's Streaming Guide

No Need to Wait for Super Bowl Commercials

The Super Bowl is next week, but you can pre-game on past Super Bowl commercials. Watch Super Bowl Greatest Commercials: All Time Classics TODAY (Tues., Feb. 8), at 8 PM EST on CBS.

Get Your Buzzer Finger Ready

The Jeopardy National College Championship commences TODAY (Tues., Feb. 8) at 8 PM EST on ABC.

Star Trek: Discovery Returns

Season 4 of Star Trek: Discovery returns from its winter break this Thursday, February 10 on Paramount+.

You Know the Drill: Super Bowl Sunday

What else would you be watching? Super Bowl Sunday is February 13 at 6 PM EST. Make it an all-day event as you watch on NBC's Peacock.

News and Industry Developments

Peacock Reveals Line-up of Originals for 2022

Some new, some returning, all very star-studded. - ET

Disney+ Isn't Getting 'Spider-Man: No Way Home" Any Time Soon

If you want to stream the new Spider-Man Marvel movie, you'll need Starz. - Inside the Magic

Fox Weather is YouTube TV's Only Dedicated Weather Channel

If you're into weather, that's a boon. - 9to5Google

HBO Max Has Canceled Its 'Boondocks' Reboot

There are many sad 'Boondocks' fans in the house, tonight. - Hypebeast