I think it fair to say that, right now, we're heading into peak streaming war territory. Unlike a decade ago when there was basically only Netflix camped on the battlefield, now there is a whole host of streaming services including Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+ and Paramount Plus all gunning for each other.
Right now the streaming war is like that bit in the Hobbit movie trilogy when five separate armies all converge in just one place for one hell of a royal rumble. And in order to arm themselves for battle they're going around and gathering up as much ammunition (read: content) as possible.
This tooling up of the streaming service kings, which surely consist now of Disney Plus, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+ and Paramount Plus, has led to the parsing of content like, arguably, we've never seen before. Content is now split between so many different streaming services and, aside from the financial implication of this on people's wallets, with the combined fees for all these services stretching into hundreds a year, keeping track of quality content and then watching it has become far from ideal.
- Disney Plus just schooled Netflix with Raya and the Last Dragon – here's how
- Amazon Prime Video has just added a fantastic new feature subscribers will LOVE
- Amazon set for a PS5 restock any day now: here's when it's likely to drop
The streaming war is bound to have causalities (right now the newly launched Paramount Plus looks like it might not be long for this world), but from my point of view I don't care who has the content or makes the content, just so long as I can access it easily.
I think the problem, for me at least, isn't even the financial burden of the hording of content into certain camps (although it certainly isn't ideal), but rather the accessing of it and ease of which I can do that. And that's where I think the model that Sky Q is now delivering can play a big part in how the streaming war ends.
Right now I can access Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video through Sky Q and, increasingly, that content is not just accessible via apps but actually baked into the Sky experience. And the result of this is that the virtual barricades that are been erected by the streaming services are removed.
Instead of having to turn traitor continuously and move between the various camps to enjoy the content that I like, with Sky Q I get to access it all in one place. It's easy, convenient and it just works. It is a top-end stuck on top of these content libraries that unifies them and allows fluid, unrestricted access.
Upgrade to smarter living
Get the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products straight to your inbox.
It's not just on the hardware side where Sky Q streamlines the experience, either, but as we've already seen with the Sky + Netflix subscription bundle as well as how signing up through Sky Q is so easy, it's doing it in terms of sign-ups and payments, too. If Sky Q can build on this and get to a stage where users can sign up to the vast majority of streaming services through the system, then have that content baked into the system on a UI level, maybe even playing directly from the UI rather than even opening an app, then suddenly you're staring at the ultimate entertainment package.
Because at the end of the day I think most people just want to be entertained and for their favourite content to be accessible in the easiest possible way. The grandstanding and content hording by streaming services is inevitable as the way people make and watch TV shows and movies is changing, but that doesn't mean it has to always be as bloody and confusing as it is right now.
And, for me at least, Sky Q is doing more than anyone to bring balance to the streaming force. It is managing, at an ever increasing rate, to unify content stores such as Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video, and I hope it continues to.
Rob has been writing about computing, gaming, mobile, home entertainment technology, toys (specifically Lego and board games), smart home and more for over 15 years. As the editor of PC Gamer, and former Deputy Editor for T3.com, you can find Rob's work in magazines, bookazines and online, as well as on podcasts and videos, too. Outside of his work Rob is passionate about motorbikes, skiing/snowboarding and team sports, with football and cricket his two favourites.
-
Amazon's Fire HD 8 refresh is faster, has a better camera and under £50 for a limited time
Amazon has refreshed its Fire HD 8 tablets and slashed their prices by half during the launch window.
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Strengthen your lower back at home with these five PT-approved bodyweight exercises
Build up strength in this essential spot to move more efficiently and feel better
By Bryony Firth-Bernard Published
-
Netflix Basic with Ads is cheap. But is it nasty? Here's what I think
Netflix's cheapest plan has some serious shortcomings, especially if you have a big TV
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
Disney Plus's price rise was INEVITABLE – but here's why I'm not cancelling, yet
Disney Plus is now, officially, the biggest streaming service in the world, and to celebrate Disney is increasing its price
By Robert Jones Last updated
-
Stranger Things is the solution to, but also embodiment of, Netflix's biggest problem
And I think the streaming service needs to fix this, fast
By Robert Jones Published
-
New Apple TV+ show has 100% on Rotten Tomatoes – and it's my new obsession
If like me you're missing Manhunter, this new Apple TV+ series could fill that serial killer-shaped hole
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
I watched Underworld: Rise of the Lycans on Netflix – and I regret everything
New to Netflix, this vampire vs werewolves movie got me wishing for death
By Robert Jones Last updated
-
Netflix's new TV show is hated by critics – but I ignored them and regret nothing
Ignore the critics, The Pentaverate is worth watching
By Robert Jones Published
-
Paramount Plus suddenly looks a lot less appealing to me than Netflix
The new TV streaming service is cheaper than Netflix, but I'm struggling to find something I want to watch
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
As a Sky TV user I'm happy I get Paramount+ free – so why am I not smiling?
Despite Paramount+ about to be delivered to me for free, I can't get past this growing sense of unease
By Robert Jones Published