Streaming Wars Could Become Free for All

A year ago, we would have emptied our bank accounts for the ability to stream anything. Chess, but sexy. Prosthetic beasts dating. Criminal tiger trainer. ’80s alien tarantula, upside down. Give it to us, all at the same time.

Now, America seems streamed out. Shares of Netflix had their worst day in the stock market since 2004 on Wednesday after the streaming giant said it lost subscribers for the first quarter in over a decade. Things are apparently so bleak that the company, which has for years sold itself as a commercial-free haven, also said it would explore a lower-priced, ad-supported version of the platform.