Ejercicio B1 · Inglés PAU Valencia Ordinaria 2021

TEXT B/TEXTO B

HOW FAST DO YOU CANCEL STREAMING SERVICES?

That is the issue facing media and entertainment companies as the battle for streaming audiences settles into a new phase. During 2019 and 2020, studios launched Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock with both paid and free tiers, Apple TV+, Discovery+ and others, all betting on original, exclusive programming to draw users. The coronavirus crisis has been very positive for the streaming industry while movie theaters, concert venues and sports arenas continue to suffer.

The problem is that, because they are so easy to cancel, those services are seeing a lot of people leave after they finish watching the shows that convinced them to sign up in the first place. That phenomenon, known in the industry as “churn,” is a growing headache in the streaming wars, according to a new report released by professional services giant Deloitte.

According to Deloitte’s survey of 1,100 people in October, 46% of respondents canceled at least one streaming service in the last six months. That is a dramatic increase from the 20% who said in a similar January survey that they had canceled a service in the previous year. Of the people surveyed who canceled a streaming subscription, 62% did so because they finished the show or movie that they had signed up to see, Deloitte said.

The data suggests it is becoming harder for media and entertainment companies to retain subscribers as competition increases, said Kevin Westcott, Deloitte’s leader. With so many services available, having exclusive content alone isn’t enough to keep people on board.

Adapted from an article by Ryan Faughnderstaff, Los Angeles Times, 18-1-2021

Part I. Reading Comprehension

B1. Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into account the information in the text. (2 points: 1 point each)

a.

What is “churn” for the streaming industry?

b.

Why is it becoming more and more difficult for entertainment companies to keep users?