Did you enjoy the Emmys Sunday?

Since I was working in my yard, I missed the first part of the Emmys last week.

Although it was fun to see the actors and the fashions, the awards were for a lot of TV programs I never watch.

Why? Because I’m not willing to pay for streaming platforms such as Netflix, AppleTV+, and Hulu.

I did sign up for Amazon Prime because I was hoping to watch recent movies for my annual article discussing Academy Award nominated movies. (I think they’re often violent, sexist, and ageist and could be much better. I’ve even written two movie scripts myself.)

But Amazon Prime doesn’t have many recent movies or TV programs. And it charges for many of the few new movies it offers. This spring I paid $25 each for several movies I wanted to see because I wasn’t going to movie theaters to watch them during the pandemic.

People spend $47 a month for streaming entertainment services, up 24 percent since the pandemic began, a study shows. That’s four streaming services on average, up from three before the pandemic.

The increase in streaming programs is part of a growing trend.

One of the tips from financial writers like me is to review your subscriptions when you’re looking to reduce spending.

I only watch TV in the evenings. And, I often just listen to it when I’m in my office writing.

I think movies are a wasteland, TV is even more so.

I did look more closely through the Amazon Prime offerings Friday and found an old TV series I’d like to watch: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” I also found several new movies, among the dozens of old ones offered, that I’ll be watching: “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” “Respect,” “Rita Moreno,” “LuLaRich,” and “Miracle Workers: Oregon Trail.”

I watch late night shows and the stars are interviewed often to promote their new movies.

I must admit that I decided to keep Amazon Prime, not because of the movies. It was fun to have Prime fast delivery during the holidays. I sent last-minute presents to my sister and others because I couldn’t see them due to the pandemic.

Comments

[Carol Cassara]

We have Prime and Netflix. And our on our nephew's Hulu account. We are super-streamers and consume what is probably way too much of it.

[Rita]

There are some things that are well done and worth watching. I watched the multilevel marketing documentary series "LuLaRich" about the clothing and tights seller LuLaRoe. It was amazing to see the cult-like structure of the group. And, of course, the people at the bottom of the pyramid scheme lost money, some a lot. One family lose their home. It cost $5,000 to $10,000 to sign up to get the clothes. Women were encouraged to do whatever it took to save up the money, including selling their breast milk.

[Rebecca Forstadt Olkowski]

My roommate is a TV junkie and we have subscriptions for everything. Some are shared with other people which is a way you can get certain channels for free at least until the channel complains which they haven't yet. I came with Sling (for news) and Amazon Prime with Britbox. She has Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Apple, Paramount+, and probably a couple I am forgetting. She watches TV 24 hours a day and doesn't sleep much. I only watch it at night but have seen some incredible shows. Unfortunately, my book consumption is down to zero and I have people sending me books to read for my blog. There is only enough time in the day. LOL

[Rita]

That's really something that your roommate watches TV 24 hours a day and doesn't sleep much. It sounds like TV has taken over her life. I only watch at night, too. I did see one good thing on Amazon Prime: the documentary series "LuLaRich," which I'm going to write about.

[Diane]

I get so burned when I already subscribe to a service and, when Husby and I click on a movie we want to watch, we find we have to subscribe to another service! WHAT?!!!
It's like good ol' cable once more, with the one channel you wanted and the 14 more bundled with it that you didn't.
Sigh.

[Rita]

Yes, it's a huge problem. I don't see any solution because companies just keeping adding more streaming platforms and consumers keep paying more money. And cable TV keeps running older and older programs.