> TV streaming is a luxury good

I don't agree. For many people, it's the only way to access TV. Wide access to broadcast media is a basic right, not a luxury. Some would say (me, for example) that it's neccesary for the proper functioning of civic society.

Meanwhile I note that free-to-air TV has been in decline for over a decade, at least in the UK. Cable and satellite services have been stealing the broadcasters' lunch. BBC News has an ever-shrinking circle of reporters (which they nowadays refer to as "editors").

I have no use for a streaming "package"; I don't watch sports and athletics, vintage sitcoms or new-release movies. I have a Sky dish and DVR, with the basic package. I gather Sky want to move me over to streaming, which would mean I'd have to upgrade my internet service.

The public-sector situation is even more stark in the UK, with the existence of the licence fee. Broadcast TV has always been an "optional extra".

If anything I'm half-expecting the UK to start taxing individual creators who livestream on Twitch or YouTube (or perhaps to tax the platforms, or require the viewers to have a TV licence). That would indeed be egregious.

We'll have to agree to disagree. It's hard for me to see having access to the nightly news (which I do not personally have) is necessary for the proper functioning of civic society--especially given many people have access to this over the air.

> I do not need this specific thing, so no one else does either

The parent made the comment that broadcast media is necessary for the proper functioning of civic society.

Which seems like a very strong claim.

Yeah, you're wrong and not nearly imaginative enough. Imagine a fascist group secured monopoly rights on TV streaming. It would be morally justified to steal it. Disney is just a lessor version of that.

Probably better to just... not watch their content, in that case?

Nope, still better to consume their resources without paying

Watching doesn't consume their resources, but does spread their "ideology" and create further demand (discussing a show with others, etc)

But like stealing from people just because you don't like them doesn't really change the moral calculus. I'd imagine most people that steal anything don't like the victim very much. Do what you want (or what you can get away with) but the "moral" thing would be abstain from consuming the products entirely or buy them according the terms of the seller.