HBO hasn't produced good content in years at this point. Since before the last season or two of Game of Thrones, I should think. The other brands in Warner didn't even really have that much prestige.
It is definitely sad to see Netflix turn from their early phase, where they valued quality over quantity, and since have reversed that.
I just want to see more great art that really sticks, has ambitions and something to tell, and values my time.
Its out there, there just isn't great curation and in a world of ever increasing content more people just dont ever find it and accept whatever mediocrity they find.
So much better than Blockbuster or Hollywood Video. Was able to see an exponential amount of foreign films, documentaries, and indie films that weren't popular enough to stock in brick and mortar shops. For less money.
Think Netflix jumped the shark well over a decade ago. Remember they had star ratings and good recommendations that weren't heavily monetized outside of keeping you on the platform itself.
Another merger isn't going to roll back the clock.