Disney+ puts ads into premium, ad-free tier;, just pirate it all.

Summary

In this video, LS Rossman critiques the state of streaming services in 2025, highlighting frustrations with fragmented content, unnecessary hardware requirements, and unexpected ads in supposedly ad-free subscriptions. He compares these issues to commercial real estate problems, where corporate red tape and financial entanglements lead to absurd situations. Rossman expresses his dissatisfaction with being forced to deal with ads despite paying for an ad-free experience. Ultimately, he advocates for piracy as a reasonable alternative, pointing out that paying for media should guarantee a smooth, ad-free experience, or users should be free to find other ways to access content.

Takeaways

• 😀 The evolution of streaming services has shifted from a convenient, ad-free experience to a more fragmented and frustrating way of consuming media.
• 😀 Initially, streaming services offered a great alternative to piracy by providing easy access to content without needing to navigate unreliable file-sharing sites.
• 😀 Now, streaming services often require multiple subscriptions to access all desired content, and certain services restrict access to high-resolution media unless specific hardware is used.
• 😀 Some streaming platforms advertise ad-free subscriptions but still serve ads due to limitations such as licensing or streaming rights.
• 😀 The inclusion of ads in paid ad-free plans mirrors the frustration experienced in commercial real estate, where decisions on pricing and availability are influenced by many stakeholders.
• 😀 Viewers who pay for ad-free services expect to experience media without interruptions, and adding ads later is seen as a bait-and-switch tactic by the streaming providers.
• 😀 The streaming rights issue can create a scenario where users end up paying for a service that fails to deliver on its promises, similar to an overpriced commercial space staying vacant due to complex financial arrangements.
• 😀 Piracy is increasingly justified when legitimate streaming services fail to deliver the promised experience, especially when ads are inserted into paid subscriptions or content is removed without notice.
• 😀 The speaker expresses frustration with streaming companies, including Disney, for not honoring ad-free commitments and for hiding behind complex explanations about streaming rights and content availability.
• 😀 The speaker's perspective aligns with those who support content creators and artists, but they draw the line at paying for an ad-free experience only to have ads inserted anyway.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the importance of using tools like sponsor blockers to prevent unwanted ads, especially on platforms like YouTube, which continue to serve ads even for premium subscribers.

Q & A

What was the original appeal of using streaming services for media consumption?

Streaming services were initially attractive because they offered an easy, hassle-free way to access media without the need to use unreliable sources like NZB sites, torrents, or file-sharing platforms.

How has the streaming experience changed over time?

Over time, streaming services have become more fragmented, requiring multiple subscriptions to access different content, and have introduced issues like restricted content resolution, ads in paid plans, and frustrating subscription models.

What problem does the host highlight regarding high-resolution content on streaming platforms?

The host points out that many streaming services restrict high-resolution content unless you use specific hardware, which can be invasive and considered spyware by some viewers.

How does the host feel about ads appearing in paid, ad-free streaming plans?

The host is frustrated by ads appearing in paid, ad-free plans. They feel it's a form of dishonesty, especially when viewers have paid extra to avoid ads, only to find them included anyway.

What comparison does the host make between streaming issues and commercial real estate?

The host compares the issues with streaming services to the challenges faced in commercial real estate, where a building remains vacant because it's difficult to get buy-in from all investors to lower rent, despite the apparent absurdity of the situation.

What is the host's stance on the frustrations viewers face with streaming rights and content availability?

The host acknowledges that streaming services face challenges in managing rights and negotiations but emphasizes that these problems are not the viewers' concern. If someone pays for an ad-free experience, they expect that, without exceptions.

Why does the host believe piracy is justified in some cases?

The host believes piracy is justified when viewers are paying for a service and still encountering ads, DRM restrictions, or other limitations. In these cases, pirating content provides a more reliable, ad-free experience at no extra cost.

What issue does the host raise regarding 4K streaming limitations?

The host points out the frustrating, often hidden limitations of 4K streaming, where viewers may not be aware of all the restrictions on high-resolution content, which are not clearly communicated by streaming services.

How does the host feel about streaming services adding ads into premium subscriptions?

The host is strongly opposed to streaming services inserting ads into premium, ad-free subscriptions. They feel that it goes against the very reason people pay for these services, which is to enjoy content without interruptions.

What does the host think about the overall state of the entertainment and streaming industries?

The host believes that the entertainment and streaming industries have created an environment where piracy is increasingly seen as a reasonable and guilt-free alternative, given the issues with subscription services and ad interruptions.