> So if, in the end, distribution becomes the new "dumb pipes" at what point do the content providers pull the judo flip and control the distribution and the margin?

The disney thing is really interesting to me. They don't have enough content to pull me in. Not even close. Netflix does. Sure Disney has a niche, and it's not me.

Realistically though - if each content provider wishes to fragment and stream their own content I'm going to end up not finding any single offering compelling. I'll go back to watching a lot less and paying for nothing.