The entertainment industry has experienced a major shift in recent years as the rise of streaming services has revolutionized the way we consume content. With the convenience and accessibility of streaming platforms, the way we watch movies, TV shows, and even listen to music has changed drastically. This article will explore how streaming is transforming the entertainment industry, the impact it’s having on traditional models, and some best practices for content creators and viewers alike.
The Rise of Streaming
Streaming has become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional methods of entertainment consumption such as cable, DVD rentals, and cinema visits. This is because it offers viewers more flexibility, freedom, and ease of access to their favourite content, regardless of their location or device of choice. Streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu have become household names in today’s entertainment landscape, and the combined success of these services has caused a rapid growth in the streaming industry as a whole.
The Impact of Streaming on the Entertainment Industry
Streaming has impacted the entertainment industry in a number of ways, causing significant changes to the traditional models of production, distribution, and consumption.
Production
The vast catalogue of content available on streaming platforms has diversified the range of genres and styles that content creators can produce. The creative freedoms that streaming offers have given rise to a wealth of original programming, some of which have gone on to win prestigious awards. This includes TV series such as House of Cards (Netflix) and The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu), which wouldn’t have been able to make it on traditional TV networks.
Distribution
Streaming has also transformed the way content is distributed. Unlike traditional models, streaming platforms allow for instant, on-demand access to popular titles, which has caught the attention of viewers who are looking for the freedom to watch content on their own terms. Streaming services are also notably affordable compared to traditional TV packages, and international availability and localization are off the charts.
This ease of access has opened the doors for smaller, independent movies, and series that wouldn’t necessarily have had the backing of TV networks or big movie studios to become popular through the scalable nature of streaming platforms. It has also allowed streaming platforms to reshape the traditional media landscape, as TV networks and movie studios scramble to create their own streaming services in the face of dwindling ratings.
Consumption
The real power of streaming is the new culture it has created around consuming content. Viewers can now watch entire series in one sitting, binge-watch the latest season of their favourite show without commercials, or even watch the show on their mobile devices while they are commuting to work. Streaming has allowed viewers a lot more power over how they consume their media, and this has affected other areas of the entertainment industry too.
For instance, movie theaters have had to adapt in the face of streaming with theatre chains investing more in the use of “event cinema” programs, which allow customers to view live theatre shows or concerts as if they were at the venue themselves. This shift aims to bring the experience of live entertainment to those who prefer to watch from the comfort of their own homes rather than travelling to the venue itself.
Best Practices for Streaming Content Creators
If you’re a content creator, be it a writer, producer, or director, the rise of streaming platforms is changing the way you need to think about film-making or storytelling. Here are some of the best practices for content creators looking to succeed in the age of streaming.
• Be original and authentic
Streaming platforms value original programming, which means content creators need to think outside the box when it comes to storytelling. Rather than regurgitate the same themes or plots, aim to be unique and authentic in your writing so you can stand out from the crowd.
• Experiment with genre
Streaming platforms have fewer content limits than traditional TV networks, so experimenting with genres and new approaches to storytelling is often rewarded.
• Think about the viewing experience
As viewers consume content in different ways than before, content creators should think about how the viewing experience for their show will change depending on the platform that it’s seen on. For example, the format of a series such as Black Mirror (Netflix) is well-suited to the binge-watching style of streaming whereas a show such as Better Call Saul (AMC) might have a stronger impact if watched on a weekly basis, allowing the viewer to digest each episode more fully.
Streaming FAQs
Q: How much data does streaming use?
A: The amount of data used will vary depending on the quality of the stream and the device being used. A standard Netflix account will use approximately 3GB per hour for HD content and 7GB per hour for Ultra HD.
Q: Will streaming replace traditional TV networks?
A: While streaming has certainly put pressure on traditional TV networks there is still a place for them. Many people still want access to traditional news channels or live sports and that type of content is still delivered mainly through cable networks alongside streaming.
Q: Is streaming really that different from traditional TV viewing?
A: In many ways, it’s fundamentally different. The format and accessibility of content are just a few of the major differences. Streaming sees a blurring of the lines between movies, television, and music adaptations that never could have existed with traditional viewing.
Conclusion
The rise of streaming is revolutionizing the entertainment industry by offering viewers more flexibility and accessibility to their favorite content. It’s changing the way we produce, distribute, and consume entertainment and creating new opportunities for content creators. But, it’s also causing disruption to traditional models, and the industry as a whole may take some time to stabilize. With the rapid development of technology and a demand for fresh, original content, it’s exciting to see where the future of streaming will take us.
