Assignment 2: Programming Trends (Network, Cable, Streaming, Online, or Social)
Programming Trends
Since Netflix's video streaming debut in 2007, the world's programming trends have never been the same.
Netflix set the tone for every streaming platform after them, and they have since maintained a dominant position among streaming platforms. But since their debut, other platforms have developed and strengthened, creating a competitive field for streaming services.
Whenever I think of streaming I immediately think of Netflix, followed by HULU, Amazon Prime, and Disney+. The people at USNews and I have similar tastes and opinions, according to their Best On-Demand Streaming Services List of 2022.
With the constant changes within on-demand streaming services, platforms are now focusing on the newest trends for on-demand streaming to grow their program.
One of the newest and most popular hobbies of the 21st century on everyone's shortlist include binge-watching.
Binge-watching a show or even a movie series is a popular trend that has developed into a popular pastime for many streamers.
While arguments can be made for whether binge-watching is beneficial or not, no one can deny the addictive nature of binging. Binging is a way to ease loneliness, boredom, or just a simple wish to be entertained.
I admit to occasionally finding myself bored and searching for a show to turn on, leading me to mindlessly watch episodes flash by, until the show ends. Binge-watching is a simple stress reliever and time-consumer, and streaming services are catering to these needs of distractions.
Netflix has been dominating the binging game with releases of popular shows such as Squid Games, Outer Banks, Stranger Things, Breaking Bad, and The Walking Dead.
But outside of Netflix, other streaming services have provided countless shows to binge-watch. For example, whenever Disney+ was released in November of 2019, people rushed to watch childhood favorites that were nearly impossible to locate before Disney+.
Along with binging nostalgic shows, Disney has released new Disney originals, Star Wars, and Marvel shows that are hard to resist watching.
Binging is a growing trend and one that most likely not fade within the next ten years. This trend fits perfectly into this programming and streaming generation, allowing the audience to create their own watching schedule, rather than planning their lives around a live or scheduled release of content.
With new streaming services arriving at what feels like a daily rate, it raises the question about how Netflix and other streaming services remain at the top.
Newer streaming services focus on niche groups, pulling a specific audience to pay their subscriptions for a certain form of entertainment. While these smaller streaming platforms may not beat out Netflix or Disney+, they can attract paying customers away from dominant platforms.
The idea behind niche content is to provide individuals with their own specific outlet of content. Examples of niche streaming platforms include RetroCrush (for anime lovers), Shudder (for fans of horror), and Kanopy (for documentary lovers).
The leaders in streaming services such as Netflix have taken this new programming trend and adapted it to their platforms, to keep niche audiences attracted to their program.
Netflix has appealed to niche and global audiences to attract a diverse demographic. One of the greatest and most popular examples from the past year is Netflix's release of Squid Games, a Korean thriller/drama that has taken over Netflix and opened a door to niches on the platform.
This expansion of niches and genres in streaming platforms has encouraged audiences to indulge in programming trends inside different media platforms. This focus on specific industry trends in the past few years has helped streaming services dominate the media.
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