Why In The World Would They Limit APP Content?
Earlier today it occurred to me that there were a lot of FX shows that I haven’t yet seen (The Americans, Atlanta, and Season 3 of Fargo).
I know, I know,
I am someone who writes bout television, so I probably should have seen those shows.
To be 100%, I sometimes have a hard time keeping up with just the shows that I already write about, write the stuff I get paid to write about, and keep up with all the new music coming out.
Mea Culpa.
But anyway, I figured I would catch right up. I went to the on-demand area on my cable for FX and found…almost nothing (only the shows currently in season and only the episodes for the season that was showing).
At first I was pissed, but immediately caught myself and decided I was wrong.
I assumed this must just be a ploy to get me to download the FX Now app.
I even decided that this was a smart play by FX because by forcing me to use their app they could ensure I would only get commercial content that they could profit from on their app.
So, I went to the Google Store and downloaded the FX Now App.
FX Are You F*&^Ng Kidding Me?
So, after downloading the app, I hit the navigation icon and hit “shows” and then clicked on “Atlanta” only to find that there were no episodes on the app.
So, again, I started to get mad but caught myself again and remembered that I had not connected the app to my cable account (assuming that surely that this would get me to the content).
Nope, still no content on the app under Atlanta…
Or under The Americans…
Or under FARGO…
Insanity.
Networks Clearly Don’t Get The Challenge They Are Facing
Right now, this very second, I am choosing to watch independent music videos, independent music documentaries, and other non-network content on YouTube.
FX, I could have been watching your shows instead (and listening to whatever extra messages you included in your own walled garden).
If I believed in piracy, there are 100 ways in a few seconds I could be watching the shows that you won’t let me see, despite being a paying cable customer, at no cost and with no commercials.
In case you don’t get what I am saying, your job is to convince me, and everyone else like me, that there is a value in continuing to connect with you instead of other freely available content or your content delivered through less scrupulous delivery methods.
Instead, you have frustrated my ambitions multiple times.
We live in a world of content abundance and you should be competing for my attention and you not only lost it, you made me frustrated with your brand in the process.
Just curious, how is this a sensible and sustainable business model for your content?
Josh is a 100% reader-funded blogger and freelance writer. Please consider following him on Twitter, throwing a tip into his hat on Patreon, or adding his blog OnPirateSatellite to your feeds. Support writing on platforms like Medium that don’t have pop-ups or bloatware!
