Streaming Your Way: The Disutility of Too Many Choices

From the beginning of cable time, we have been “offered” a limited number of programming packages.  And, for most of us, regardless of what package we selected, we were getting channels we didn’t watch.  For decades, we clamored for the ability to select the channels we wanted to watch even when warned by the cable operators that it would cost us more money.  

Fast forward to 2015.  We now have an expanding array of skinny bundles from video distributors/program outlets.  (An incomplete list is below.)   If this is the transition to the new normal of selecting and paying for all channels on demand, I’m not sure we will be better off.  And, it’s not just about the money it’s going to cost us.  It’s about what Barry Schwartz calls the “paralysis of choice”.  (See link to his Ted talk below.)  With so much to choose from, will we become overwhelmed and increasingly dissatisfied?  What is the right number and variety of programming that would make us feel better off?  Does it exist?  Or, are we destined to be unhappy because we long for the good ole days when TV (with a handful of broadcast channels) was free.  

Barry Schwartz's Ted Talk

Firm	Genre	Monthly Price
NBC Comcast (Seeso)	Comedy	$3.99
CBS (All Access)	Multi	$5.99
Time Warner	HBO Programming	$14.99
Dish (Sling)	Multi	$20 (includes ESPN, CNN)
Hulu (ABC, NBC, the CW, FOX)	Multi	$7.99 (with ads) $11.99 (w/o ads)
Netflix	Multi	$9.99
Amazon Prime	Multi	$99 per year