The new Discovery+ streaming service is here, and with its debut comes a plethora of new content that 90 Day Fiancé fans in particular would theoretically appreciate. As such, all of the Discovery Inc. networks have been promoting the streaming service, from TLC to HGTV to DIY and beyond, with hopes of pulling in a ton of subscribers to binge shows both new and old during its launch month. Unfortunately, the promotion has so far had the exact opposite effect on some viewers who are seemingly already sick of hearing about the new platform and its streaming offerings.
The latest episode of 90 Day Fiancé really seemed to bring this angst and vigor out of the fandom, thanks largely to the countdown clock overlay counting down the minutes ahead of the new streaming service's launch. Viewers weren't shy about sharing their thoughts about not just the timer, but also what they think about Discovery+'s promotional push as a whole. The viewpoint shared below definitely reached big mood status over the weekend.
The counter seemed to be the final straw amidst all of the ads and inter-network synergy, and Twitter became flooded with many 90 Day Fiancé fans airing out their grievances with Discovery+. It's a tipping point that's been hinted at for weeks now, frankly, as many fans began to suspect the new streaming spinoffs could end up replacing the existing spinoffs already airing on TLC.
While these claims are still speculative, especially given TLC's clear intent to wring everything possible out of the 90 Day franchise, those expectations aren't entirely unfounded. It had already been confirmed that 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way Season 2 won't be getting a traditional tell-all on the network, but it was news to many that a similar tell-all is happening on the Discovery+ spinoff 90 Day Bares All. When TLC aired a preview of the spinoff immediately following the latest 90 Day Fiancé, some were intrigued by it, but it's safe to say not everyone was impressed.
The Twitter user above is not exactly wrong (even if it's a bit off-brand to bring Jersey Shore's Angelina GIFs into it), and I'm personally curious to see how much stricter TLC will be with its cast members' social media posts now that Discovery+ is promising never before seen footage and previously unknown info in 90 Day Bares All's episodes. Scanning the various couples' social media accounts for details on their relationships and explanations for episodic moments is something that fans have enjoyed for. years, but it's hard to rule out that TLC might be less lenient regarding excess sharing. Because if network execs don't make those kinds of changes, then the big question becomes what can Discovery+ give viewers that they don't have access to already?
Obviously, part of this small-scale backlash is rooted in consumers' growing ire over so many different TV networks introducing their own separate subscription streaming services, from HBO Max to NBCUniversal's Peacock to CBS All Access. Discovery+ definitely isn't the first streamer to offer content that could probably just air on linear networks. And even though its gigantic back catalog of show episodes does provide additional value that traditional TV can't necessarily provide, that aspect is clearly not the first thing on everyone's minds.
And let's be completely honest here: if the 90 Day Fiancé fandom showed any sign of disinterest in watching every spinoff that TLC has thrown at them, there wouldn't be so many already out there. There's a chance Discovery+ will prove to absolutely be worth the $4.99 a month, and by the end of 2021, it could end up being one of the top streaming services on the market in terms of value and content creation. It is clear, though, that it will some of these shows' biggest fans will need some convincing that it's all worth the cost, so hopefully the content is as strong as Discovery's near-constant advertising allege it is.
90 Day Fiancé airs on TLC Sundays at 8:00 p.m. ET. Continue to stick with CinemaBlend for more on the franchise and the latest news in television and movies.
