Back to the Future of Rentals: Will Streaming Services Offer Pay-Per-View Options?

By: The BitMar Team.

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For many, the rise of streaming services has replaced the once-dominant video rental store. While convenient, subscribing to multiple streaming platforms can quickly become expensive. Could a return to à la carte rentals be on the horizon? The concept of "rental tiers" – offering viewers the ability to pay a one-time fee, to access a specific movie, or show, for a limited time – may be making a comeback. This approach could cater to viewers who prefer a pay-per-view model, and – only – want to watch specific content; potentially, offering a more-budget-friendly alternative to subscriptions.

The Rise of Subscription Fatigue

A 2023 study – by: Deloitte – reveals a growing trend of "subscription fatigue," among consumers. With an increasing number of streaming services, vying for viewer attention, managing multiple subscriptions can become overwhelming; and costly. Rental tiers would offer viewers more control over their spending; allowing them to access desired content, without committing to a full subscription.

A Familiar Format: À La Carte Viewing, in a Digital Age

Imagine: a streaming service, offering a rental tier; wherein viewers can browse a library of movies, and shows—similar to a digital video store. By paying a one-time fee... viewers could gain access, to the chosen content, for a predetermined period; allowing them to watch, at their convenience. This approach would be familiar to those who frequented video rental stores, in the past; offering a sense of nostalgia, while catering to viewers who prefer a pay-per-view model.

A Niche, or a New, Standard? The Future of Rentals

It is not clear... if rental tiers may ever become a mainstream offering, once again, for streaming services; as Netflix once did, with the DVD. However; they represent a potential solution, for viewers experiencing subscription fatigue; and a way for streaming services to cater to more viewing preferences. A future, wherein viewers can choose – between: subscriptions, rental tiers, and/or micro-transaction options – could provide greater flexibility; and cater to a wider audience.

If rentals, and monthly payments, are not your thing... next-generation streaming platforms – like: BitMar – may provide you the most affordable form of on-demand streaming entertainment. BitMar provides all-in-one streaming service, for life, for a one-time payment, of: $99.99 USD. It can connect you to millions of on-demand movies, TV shows, channels, videos, and songs (from many different sources on the Web), on the screens that you already own. In fact, BitMar provides access to more movies, and TV shows, than: Cable, Satellite, Netflix, Disney Plus, Max/HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Peacock, and Hulu – combined – and more songs, than: Pandora, Spotify, Amazon Prime Music, and Apple Music—combined. You may learn more, at: BitMar.com.