Most of the larger streaming platforms have at least one if not multiple issues, but here’s all the info so you can decided who you want to support. And if you missed it, check out my good options for streaming and some more questionable ones.
Apple TV, YouTube Premium: covered both companies here.
Popular Free Apps: Tubi is owned by the Fox Corporation. Amazon owns Freevee, which it shut down last month, though users are still able to access free content through Prime Video without needing a Prime subscription. Pluto TV is owned by Paramount Skydance.
Netflix: Publicly traded with institutional investors as their largest shareholders. Netflix supports diversity for both employees and for programming. Netflix has spent $3.36 million on lobbying in the ‘23/’24 and $1.6 million to date in 2025. Contributions from Netflix management and employees in 2024 were $17.3 million, which nearly all went to Democratic candidates, PACs, or groups. That’s in part due to Reed Hastings, the founder and chairman of Netflix, who is a prominent Democrat donor. In 2024 he gave $1 million to Future Forward USA, Kamala Harris’s funding PAC, $6.9 million to the Republican Accountability PAC, an anti-Trump PAC, nearly $2 million to the Senate Majority PAC, aimed at regaining Democratic control in the Senate, and in late 2023 gave $1.75 million to the House Majority PAC, supporting a Democratic majority in the house. And just a few weeks ago Hastings gave $2 million to support California’s redistricting efforts to combat Texas’s blatant gerrymandering.
Roku: Also owns streaming platform Frndly TV. Whatever you do, don’t get a Roku TV.
AMC Networks: Owns streaming platforms AMC+, IFC Films Unlimited, Allblk, Shudder, Sundance Now, Hidive, Acorn TV
Paramount Skydance: Paramount merged with Skydance officially as of August 2025. After of course Paramount paid $16 million to Trump in July 2025 for his lawsuit claiming unfair coverage during the lead up to the presidential election last year, which was widely critized as a means to pave the way for FCC approval of the merger deal. David Ellison is the new CEO, and son to Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle. David Ellison seems like a real dick with mandating return-to-office 5 days a week a little less than two months after taking over, which is probably just a way to get rid of employees as Paramount Skydance trying to cut $2 billion in costs. Larry Ellison is the second richest person in the world, and owns 98% of Lanai, the 6th largest Hawaiian island. He has a number of controversies, including frequently maxing out his $1 billion credit line and pushing out locals in Lanai. He also said recently an AI-fueled surveillance network would ensure “citizens will be on their best behavior,” though I’m assuming that wouldn’t need to be used on him, of course. Larry Ellison and Oracle are lead investors in the TikTok buyout process, which users are worried will cause major changes to the platform as he is also very pro-Israel. Also, remember when they cancelled Stephen Colbert & The Late Show only two months ago?
Warner Bros Discovery: This is a f*cking fun one. Warner Bros Discovery is splitting into two companies, Warner Bros, which will control streaming and studios, and Discovery Global, which will have Discovery+, TV channels, and other assets. But wait – Paramount Skydance, newly merged as of August 2025, is expected to make a bid for the whole of Warner Bros Discovery before they officially break up in mid-2026. If the bid happens and the deal goes through, CBS and CNN news would be under one roof, with owners/leadership that are friendly to Trump. This merger would significantly consolidate media even further than it is now, with nearly half of the cable channels in the US under one company. Pararmount Skydance has shown that its very happy to capitulate to Trump, so this potential merger deal and then the combined media presence they represent could effectively create a state-controlled media entity, willing to bend to his every word. UPDATE Oct 2025: Annnnnd now HBOMax is running ICE ads.
Comcast (NBC): Comcast, the cable company, also owns NBC and its suite of networks, channels, shows and properties. However – Comcast announced late last year that they are spinning off most of their cable networks into a new company called Versant. This includes MSNBC, which will be called MS Now, the USA Network, CNBC, Oxygen, E!, Syfy and others. Comcast gave Trump $1 million to his inaugural committee, but despite that in February 2025 the FCC, led by Brendan Carr, opened an investigation into Comcast’s DEI policies. Then in April 2025, Trump threatened Comcast saying they were “trying to avoid lawsuits”, similar to his lawsuits against ABC and CBS which were both paid out by parent companies, by selling off MSNBC. In May 2025, Trump openly called for Comcast CEO Brian Roberts to be investigated after an NBC News reporter asked him about a Qatari-gifted jet. That may be why Jimmy Fallon “kissed the conservative ring” in August by having an inflammatory Fox News guest on his show, and remains quiet on Kimmel’s firing and reinstatement. Though Jimmy Fallon should be fired anyways.
Disney, Paramount Skydance, and Warner Bros Discover all have had mergers or acquisitions that required FCC approval, which is part of the reason they’ve been dancing like monkeys for Trump and his FCC chair lackey. Comcast’s spin off of Versant does not require similar approvals I believe, but given Trump and his FCC chair’s recent blatant threats against media companies I feel like Comcast is probably shaking in their boots. If Trump tries to sue Comcast/NBC, or if their spin-off or any other deals require regulatory approval, I wouldn’t be surprised if Comcast quickly caves. I do not have much faith in this company. UPDATE Oct 2025: Comcast continues to disappoint – they helped fund Trump’s new White House ballroom.
Philo: Philo is an independent company, but backed by Warner Bros Discovery, Paramount Skydance, and AMC Networks as investors. Given that their profits are tied to these companies, I wouldn’t recommend them, though if you have favorite shows you love that are available on Philo, I think it would be better to go through them then directly through the other companies.
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