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    Streaming services should let us browse their catalog for free and just charge to watch.


    If I could go in their app and browse around and make a watch list I'd be much more likely to subscribe to their service. I have no idea what's on peacock or Paramount right now and I don't want to pay for a whole month just to figure that out. Why not just let me in to browse their whole catalog for free and then just charge when I actually want to watch something?

    I'll admit part of this idea came from an Onion YouTube video I watched recently:

    https://youtu.be/3_Bm2WUYBxU?si=aebTleOIeknNOCfB

    by techandgadgets

    View 14 Comments

    14 Comments

    4. muad_dibs on

      I just use Just Watch. It’ll tell you the movies and shows streamers you use have added by the day and you can search for whatever else.

    5. SunnyPsyOp23 on

      I agree, but Googling “shows on Peacock” or “shows on Paramount” will give you the answers you’re looking for.

    6. SchwiftyGameOnPoint on

      I agree. 

      Some websites do have this ability. If I’m looking for a show, I’ll typically search somewhere like Google TV and it will tell me what services have it. 

      But again I agree, I feel like it would be beneficial to both viewer streaming service.
      Being able to browse shows and read their descriptions or view their trailers, even maybe making a free account to be able to add things to a watchlist would probably make people more inclined to subscribe 

    7. marinersfan000 on

      I’m subscribed to both Peacock and Paramount right now, and am too lazy to log out, but don’t most services do this? I have a lot of active subscriptions but have let my Apple and Sudder subscribers end and their apps let be browse and just prompt to subscribe when I try and hit play. I believe HBO does as well since I didn’t have that one for awhile but would check for things.

    8. TheSecondEikonOfFire on

      Everyone linking Just Watch is missing the point. You shouldn’t _have_ to do that. Every streaming service should let you browse their content on their site. How would I know if I want to subscribe to your service if I don’t know what your service is offering?

    10. learner1314 on

      Can’t speak for the two, but you can definitely see the Apple TV+ catalog including by new releases and by category without logging in from any web browser.

    12. snkiz on

      There are a number of services that aggregate what’s on the streaming services. Plex has that built-in you just have to look for them and decide with streaming services you want to aggregate. Everything in one place. Why would I want to open 6 apps to figure out what I want to watch?

    13. RobGrogNerd on

      they’ve probably done an analysis & adding a Pay Per View model may not cover the loss in revenue from people cancelling their subscriptions to only have to pay for what they watch.

      would you want to browse without being able to watch what you want without having to subscribe?

      love your idea, been wanting something like that for years. probably ain’t happenin

    14. SmoovCatto on

      yeah, sucks. streaming services don’t offer even existing subscribers a simple alphabetical index, because they need to manipulate our choices — evil all around . . .

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