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How and Why Streaming Services are Dominating the Modern Web

Streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify are dominating the Internet as we know it, and why not?

Between boasting a seemingly endless stream of users (approximately 81 million for Netflix and over 100 million for Spotify), constant sources of buzz (cutting-edge shows and new music) and no signs of stopping, there’s quite a lot to marvel at when it comes to the era of streaming.

However, there’s also a lot to learn.

No, you’re probably not looking to roll out your own digital streaming service by tomorrow; however, you may be curious as to how these platforms rose to prominence and what you can learn from their practices.

Keep in mind that Netflix, for example, was founded in 1997 as a DVD-delivery service that didn’t find its footing with streaming until a decade later. Likewise, Spotify has its humble beginnings as a Swedish start-up, plagued with various software bugs and losing over $4 million in 2008 prior to becoming a household name. In other words, not every success story is without its roadblocks.

So, what led to the rise of streaming services and what can we learn from the technology they’ve made commonplace?

Ease of Access

Slowly but surely, we have become natives to the digital era.

Whether we’re buying just about everything on Amazon or organizing our small business’ files through platforms such as Firmex, today’s users have no qualms relying on digital services.

Likewise, streaming services allow an ease of access which is difficult to compete against. Netflix and Spotify saw the potential of the mobile revolution, for example, and adapted accordingly by offering their services on smartphones and tablets as quickly as possible.

Users on the go? Well, so is their entertainment.

Additionally, streaming services have eliminated the need to travel to brick-and-mortar stores for something to do on a Saturday night. On a similar note, users can enjoy endless entertainment minus the clutter of discs and boxes.

Streaming services are simple, and work to simplify the lives of their users.

Better Than “Free”

Remember the days of Napster and Kazaa, where Internet piracy was running rampant and organizations such as the RIAA were filing lawsuits left and right?

Believe it or not, online piracy has actually decreased in the wake of the streaming revolution.

How is this possible? In many regards, streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify offer entertainment that’s more convenient than stealing.

For example, both offer price points which are below $9.99 monthly in the United States. Such a low price point works to deter the time, effort and energy put towards online piracy. Is it really worth risking a lawsuit and the potential hours of pirating an album or film when you can load it across your screen in a matter of seconds?

Price matters to customers, plain and simple. Although every announcement of a potential Netflix price hike seems to result in an e-riot, such services are cheap for the amount of entertainment the provide to users.

Social Streaming

Finally, the social aspect of streaming is impossible to deny. In fact, streaming and social media practically go hand-in-hand.

Thanks to widespread mobile use, we’re constantly consuming streaming content and are itching to share it with others. Between the constant influx of new albums and playlists to Spotify to the ground-breaking original series debuting exclusively on Netflix, it’s as if the streaming era and social media are one in the same.

Between the popularity of existing services to emerging platforms such as Twitch.tv, it appears that the streaming era is far from over. From being better than free to tapping into an increasingly social marketplace, there’s plenty today’s tech pioneers can learn from the streaming revolution.

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