HBO has been going through some major changes lately. They have started letting Netflix stream some of their shows since last year, instead of keeping them all to themselves. This is not the first time HBO has shared its content, but it is still something to think about, given the ongoing intense competition among media giants for streaming supremacy. While Netflix users are rejoicing over the chance to watch HBO's stellar lineup, filmmaker Judd Apatow has some reservations about the move.

Recently, the filmmaker raised concerns about why this whole licensing dealing is troubling and can lead to alleged exploitation. 

Last year, Netflix struck a deal with Warner Bros., bringing beloved HBO series like Ballers, Band of Brothers, The Pacific, and Six Feet Under to its platform. In a recent interview with Vultures, Judd Apatow raised concerns about the surge in rewatching and its impact on streaming platforms. He described the practice of licensing pacts between streamers as “scary,” warning that it could stifle the creation of new original shows.“They’re going to do it, then you’ll get fewer new shows”, said The 40-Year-Old Virgin director. 

Apatow also raised a red flag, suggesting that Netflix could eventually sell its shows to HBO, leading to a perpetual cycle of reruns. He offered perspective on the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry and the growing dominance of corporate juggernauts and tech elites in shaping creative content. This shift could hit Netflix viewers particularly hard, as they may find themselves watching shows already available on other platforms, all while paying the subscription fee that is about to see a hike once again.

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Netflix is gearing up to hit its subscribers' wallets once more by raising subscription fees, just months after the last increase.

Variety reported that a team led by UBS analyst John Hodulik anticipates Netflix will hike its prices this year. Hodulik pointed to a 7% revenue uptick in 2023 for their ad-supported tier as a driving factor, projecting a potential 15% increase in 2024. This followed closely on the heels of a price hike in October 2023. Netflix will be raising subscription prices and simultaneously reducing content on its platform, which sparked a lot of backlash last year. 

The price hike, rolled out in October 2023, saw the basic plan rise from $9.99 to $11.99 per month in the United States. This increase was not restricted to the US market; customers in the United Kingdom and France also faced higher subscription costs. Now, should Netflix reduce its original content output as well with the licensing deals, it could further exacerbate the dissatisfaction among its users. 

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What do you think about Netflix’s licensing deal with HBO and Judd Apatow’s concern? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!