Streaming for Savings, Not Ad Avoidance: A Personal Perspective

Lately, I've been reflecting on my streaming journey and wondering if my initial motivations still hold true. After all, over a dozen years later, my reasons for continuing might have evolved.

A recent Facebook discussion sparked this introspection. One person mentioned ad-supported streaming, while another claimed they started streaming to avoid ads altogether. This made me question whether ad avoidance was a genuine reason for starting to stream. Local channels on cable have always had commercials, and streaming services such as Sling TV, YouTube TV, and the others include ads on local channels. On-demand content is usually the only ad-free option, but it comes at a cost.

Amazon's move to introduce ads and charge extra for ad-free viewing feels like a sneaky price hike. While I'm surprised many people cite ad avoidance as a reason for streaming, it's not my personal motivation. Growing up with commercials on the few channels available, I've become immune to them. They provide a brief pause to grab a drink or check email.

My Streaming Life began as a way to save money, and if watching commercials helps me achieve that, I'm happy to embrace them.