On a day to day basis, I spend most of my internet browsing time in incognito tabs. I reserve normal browser windows for the few services I use that require them: email access, Amazon ordering, Netflix and Hulu. Two primary motivations factor into this. For one, I like reading a lot of news paper sites. I don't feel the current paywall offerings justify maintaining separate logins and spreading my credit card's numbers all over town. Secondly, I have a strong derision for targeted ads. The opaqueness of the advertising companies is a little too creepy, and usually they target the version of myself in the past. If I search for a particular vacuum, perhaps the best that ever existed, I spend a modest and minimal amount of time deciding on a purchase and buying right then and there. Months after I've received and and beaten down said vacuum cleaner, ad networks sample my cookies, see an instance of a vacuum, and continue to fill my screens with a decision from the past.
For my cookies and data to be shared, I would only give my consent if I felt it selfishly benefited me. Only one scenario comes to mind: providing proof of new or on-the-bubble shows to networks that show my viewership via means outside the normal Nielson television ratings. I cut the cord two years ago, and rely solely on a disappointing Apple TV for access to media content. As slick as tvOS may look, I doubt it's doing any smart connecting of dots on the programs I watch.
For brand new shows, they have to overcome so many hurdles to not only appear interesting or of interesting merit, but also fit into my (albeit self-inflicted) requirements for ease of consumption. Netflix, HBO Now and Hulu Plus are sunk costs to me that are just good enough for their ease and content. They are my default options to fetch new content
Say a show premieres. Can I watch it next-day on Hulu? That to me is free "sampling" of new content. I have to rely on promos, word of mouth, or reviews to get over my hesitance to jump into a new show. If I can't see it for free, I need to be absolutely convinced it is for me before I go and buy an episode or the full season.
I want the producers of these shows to know of the success stories for some of their marketing and distribution plans. Two recent examples come to mind: Fargo and Man Seeking Woman, from FX and FXX respectively. With each show, I had heard good word of mouth. For whatever reason, my interest never rose to the point that I would pull the trigger and buy the season on iTunes, the only viewing option available to me given my restriction. Second seasons roles around for each show, and by this time Hulu now offers season one, "free" to me. A quick pace at knocking out season one episodes lead to an immediate purchase of the still-airing second seasons of both.
SHARING IS CARING
I like these shows. I want more of these types of shows. But their marketing campaigns didn't pique my interest initially. What sold me on it was the access to the content on platforms I subscribe to already. I want Apple to share everything about my viewership details from Hulu as well as the purchase and consumption from iTunes to the show's producers. There are eyeballs and dollars to be made from sources that may not report much data to producers currently. Please share my cookies for good. I want more good television. If my consumption and purchase history could help shows I like that are fighting cancelation, then give the data to them.