Streaming content has now become a habit in many households, but with the increase in subscription prices, even actress Sydney Sweeney has resorted to piracy. The Euphoria star was caught watching Law & Order: Organized Crime on an illegal streaming site after she posted a photo on her Instagram story.
Fans could not blame her, though. Not everyone can afford to pay for every single streaming app in the world, especially today when studios seem to have their own platforms.
Streaming Services Are Now More Expensive Than Cable TV
Sydney Sweeney is currently under fire for posting a photo of her television displaying an episode of NBC’s Law & Order: Organized Crime from an illegal streaming site. It remains unknown which one she’s using, though it looks clear and crisp on the screen.
Over the past few years, the public has witnessed the rise of streaming media due to the popularity of Netflix and the like. As the demand grows, the subscription price also follows, and now it has become more expensive than cable TV.
David Rogers, a Columbia Business School professor and author of The Digital Transformation Roadmap told Financial Times that “from a business point of view, streaming was going to have to move in this way — the price point was going to have to go up.”
It also does not help that every studio nowadays wants to have its own streaming platform with exclusive content. Who would want to subscribe to 10 different streaming apps when you only want to watch one specific movie or series? Where do people go then?
While there are cheaper streaming platforms out there, they come with the most annoying ads. “At a certain point, you’ve got to watch out for people unsubscribing,” Rogers warned, although streamers have found ways to keep their subscribers by offering “discount if you buy for a year rather than pay month to month.”
No wonder more people turn to illegal streaming sites because they are free, convenient, and show the same content found in legit streamers. They also don’t have to switch apps because everything is in one place, regardless of network or studio.
The Madame Web star is definitely not the only one turning to these illegal sites to access numerous shows online. The actress has yet to make a statement regarding her now-expired Instagram story, but fans clearly understand the case, and surprisingly, they have her back!
Fans Expressed Support For Sydney Sweeney After Getting Caught Pirating A Show
Fans were no less surprised after the news of Sydney Sweeney watching Law & Order: Organized Crime from an illegal site broke out. Some revealed they recognized the format or layout of the media player while others simply expressed their understanding. Check out the tweets below:
what is she using? asking for a friend
— HungryGames2000 (@HungryGames2000) June 20, 2024
as she should, cus who do we look paying for 10 platforms, when we can watch different movies for free in one place
— alex⸆⸉ (@crulsmmr) June 20, 2024
i know myflixtor when i see her
— ۟ (@chuubeenlying) June 20, 2024
Lol I know EXACTLY what she's using
That layout is so iconic 🏴☠️— The Human Rebuild 🤝🏾 (@thehumanrebuild) June 21, 2024
W for her
— The Notorious J.O.V. (@whotfisjovana) June 20, 2024
There are penalties, of course, when one is caught practicing piracy, but this should also be a wake-up call for streamers to check on the affordability of their prices. After all, they want more subscribers, and they want to keep them for as long as possible.
