Except that Netflix and Spotify don't have to pay the per-performance costs, Netflix isn't paying $29.99[1] to CBS every time someone watches Star Trek TNG - and spotify isn't paying 70$ every time I listen to a song even though concert tickets might run that high.
MoviePass _may_ have been a sane venture if they rented out the theatres for MoviePass specific screenings at a flat rate then tried to make a margin on filling those seats up enough. As it is they resold a thing from one company to consumers at a price below the consumer's standard price while trying to convince theatres to honor the passes by rebating the theatres well below standard fare price.
Would you like to buy a coke from a merchant for 2$? What if I could sell you a subscription to buy as many cokes as you'd like for free for a 29$ monthly fee, while offering the merchant 1.50$ per sold item - oh and the transaction would still take place in the store... and be run by the shop owner... they'd just make less money - but hey maybe my subscription will end up selling more coke than the merchant would normally sell - but wait if that happens I lose money, so I only end up making money here if both of you are screwed because I'm essentially trying to make money shaving it off of a transaction that was already taking place.
MoviePass was so ridiculously stupid[2].
1. The price off of Amazon to purchase the season in CAD
2. Props to college humor on a great mock of their business and CEO, worth a watch if you want a laugh.