I view the current state of Netflix, Paramount+, and Peacock not as a triumph of choice but as a crisis of product design.
These platforms have pivoted from being "services" to being "warehouses."
They have successfully engineered a product that achieves a rare, impressive level of user friction by mistaking a vast ocean for a useful resource.
The problem, streamers are now content oceans.
An ocean is deep, dark, and overwhelming. When a user opens an app, they aren't looking for an expedition; they are looking for a stream.
Stream = directional, focused, and flowing. It suggests a curated path and easy decisions.
Ocean = massive, distracted, and churning. It forces the user to become a navigator, leading to decision paralysis.
The current streaming model has become a burden on the consumer with four specific failures:
1. Boring: By chasing "broad appeal" algorithms, platforms have diluted their brand identities. When everything is for everyone, nothing is for anyone.
2. Endless: The infinite scroll is a UI trap. Without "finishing lines" or curated endpoints, the experience feels like a chore rather than an escape.
3. Expensive: We aren't just paying in dollars; we are paying in cognitive tax. Spending 15 minutes searching for 20 minutes of entertainment is a poor ROI.
4. Discordant: The interfaces are cluttered with "trending" rows that ignore personal taste, creating a jarring, noisy environment that lacks a cohesive editorial voice.
So, what strategic pivot is needed?
Simple.
The industry must return to the "stream."
Success in 2026 won't belong to the biggest library, but to the most intentional one - see Crunchyroll.
Cancellation is the only metric that matters now—and it’s a loud signal that users are tired of drowning.
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc.
You can always reach me @ marc@caracal.global.
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Marc A. Ross is a geopolitical strategist and the founder of Caracal Global, a fractional Chief Geopolitical Officer service for Fortune 1,000 companies and private equity firms. He publishes the Caracal Global Daily — what a Chief Geopolitical Officer monitors every morning. Subscribe at caracal.global/contact.
