The Subscription Trap: How Streaming Became the New Cable

Subscriptions exploded during the COVID pandemic. And it wasn’t just SaaS, newspapers, and magazines—everything became a subscription. Amazon will auto-ship your soap and batteries, Chewy will keep your dog fed, and streaming services went from an alternative to the way we consume entertainment.

When Disney pulled its catalog from Netflix and launched Disney+, I knew every major studio would follow.

I was right.

Now, nearly every studio has its own subscription service. We ditched cable because it was too expensive—only to replace it with multiple subscriptions that cost just as much but offer less.

The solution?

Go back to cable. Ha, I wish. The studios have figured it out. They keep premium content locked behind their own platforms, refusing to air it on traditional TV. Why? Because they want to keep you locked in.

But what happens when consumers start cutting the cord on them? If you’re even a little tech-savvy, you know where to find the shows for free. Arrr!

My prediction? More services will roll out free (or cheaper) ad-supported tiers. Some already have, but as cancellations rise, expect ad-supported models to become the norm rather than the exception.

Spotlight: Richtech Robotics

The robotics revolution isn’t coming - it’s already here, and Richtech Robotics is leading the charge. The Las Vegas-based company is rolling out AI-powered service robots across industries, from Medbot handling medical deliveries to Matradee Plus serving restaurant guests. Their bartender robots, Adam and Scorpion, are redefining hospitality, while Titan is built for heavy-duty tasks. With over 300 robots deployed nationwide, Richtech isn’t just a concept - it’s happening now. As automation becomes more mainstream, expect them to be at the forefront of the robotic workforce.

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What to Read/Watch

• NASA terminates chief scientist role, closes policy office

• Apple MacBook Air M4 13-inch and 15-inch review: Minimal upgrades at a much better price

• Mark Cuban says AI is ‘never the answer,’ it’s a ‘tool’

• Exclusive: Meta begins testing its first in-house AI training chip

Wild Card

The St. Thomas Tommies are on a fast track to becoming the next mid-major powerhouse in college basketball. With their rapid transition to Division I and strong recruiting, it won’t be long before they’re crashing the NCAA Tournament and making deep runs—while Minnesota’s "bigger" programs struggle to stay relevant.