The Widespread Streaming Fiasco Proves Why We Need Physical Media

By Jonathan Klotz
| Published 9 seconds ago

The Expanse is one of the best sci-fi shows of all time, and it only gets better with age, as nothing released in the last decade can touch its unique blend of drama, politics, action, world building , and the best ship physics shown on screen. It has also become the most recent flashpoint in the ongoing battle between streaming services and the public when Amazon casually revealed in various regions that the first three seasons would be pulled from Amazon Prime. The worst-case scenario isn’t happening yet, but it’s another reminder of how easy it is for the greatest shows to disappear forever.

The Expanse Is One Of The Greatest Science Shows

Adapting the best-selling novels by Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, co-writing as James SA Corey, The Expanse introducing viewers to a world of space colonization, tenuous peace, and the mystery of one lost girl who ends up changing the fate of humanity forever. By hugging hard sci-fi in a way few shows ever do, it became a cult favorite, but the ratings on SyFy remained abysmal, prompting Amazon to pick it up after Season 3. That led fans to think the series was safe since Amazon produced a back half the series sure, it would always have a home on Amazon Prime, but that’s not happening.

The Expanse is drawn in specific regions and languages, including Germany and the UK, and ranges from the first three SyFy-produced seasons to the entire series. Although it still is streaming in most regions and languages, the uproar over the thought of the show being taken off by storm among fans, and deservedly so, even reached the writers, with Abraham himself reaching out to Amazon to ask what was going on. Maybe they don’t have the Star Wars numbers, Star Trekor even Stargate fanbases, but don’t doubt dedication The Expanse fans, and crowd source answers to the fate of the show.

Any Series Could Be Gone Forever

Today, it is The Expansebut tomorrow, it could be any other series, like the countless other SyFy shows, including Eureka, Warehouse 13or Sanctuarywhich ends up disappearing from all streaming services forever. Even Battlestar Galactica went through a period where it was difficult to find digitally. Most studios have given up on physical media, forcing fans to rely on the whims of streaming services, but at least with DVD or Blu-Ray, you don’t have to worry about it becoming unwatchable without any warning

As studios consolidate and the rights to various franchises become more and more opaque, the likelihood that any show or movie will slip through the legal cracks and disappear forever increases. Look at the complex rights behind James Bond, which he was involved in MGM when Amazon bought the studio but still disappeared from services, including Amazon Prime, sometimes as soon as a month after arriving. If it’s impossible to stream one of the most iconic franchises in film history from start to finish on one service, what does hope do The Expanse get in the future?

Embrace Physical Media

The answer, of course, is nothing, but thankfully, The Expanse has been released on DVD at least. Hosting physical media is the only way forward for fans who want guaranteed access to their favorite shows and movies. It’s been this way for years, but with Blu-Rays disappearing from big box retailers like Best Buy or Walmart and Warner Bros. Discovery pulling countless animated series from Maxthe situation is going to get exponentially worse before it gets better.

That said, you should go stream The Expanse forward Amazon Prime right now and experience a sci-fi series better than anything Star Trek or Star Wars has produced in a decade. Then, if you ever want to experience it again, look for the complete series box set, as it’s the only way to stop corporate greed from destroying art.