White represents content available on more than one service. Red represents content only available in one place, i.e., the stuff you actually think you want.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news (actually not true) but I think I’ve figured out how it works. (I don’t just bitch, either. I’ll also include solutions. I’m proactive that way.)

• Netflix is the only source for Netflix Original programming: House of Cards and Orange Is The New Black.
• Hulu is the only source for Hulu Original programming: None come to mind but I do know they’ll have commercials.
• Amazon Prime has mostly the same shit.
• iTunes offers the same content but at premium ala carte prices.
• HBO is the only source for HBO Original programming: The Newsroom and Game Of Thrones.
• CBS is a bunch of greedy dillholes: Survivor and Big Bang Theory.
• MLB is the only source for most MLB Original programming but only if you have enough money. Otherwise they won’t even stream the goddamned World Series. (I was actually surprised by this, but only for a nanosecond.)

I prognosticated to my wife a long time ago that the days of accessing “content” would soon be coming to a close. This week we moved much closer to that reality. You like some shows on Hulu and some on Netflix? You’ll have to buy both even if the remaining majority of their DNA is essentially the same. Exclusivity is the ticket to getting customers to pay more than once. And make no mistake, it is all out global thermonuclear war on your wallet. That is the only thing that matters. They don’t do this for fun.

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