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By: Amirsam Ahmadi

In the “Streaming Era,” many platforms like Netflix, Hulu and Disney+ have emerged, transforming  the way each and every one of us watch TV and movies. Although the popularity of streaming started to pick up in the 1990s, Netflix’s change from DVD rentals to streaming marked a revolutionary point in cinematic history. Soon after that, other streaming services like Disney+ and Hulu started to emerge, offering their own set of movies and TV shows available at the click of a button.

Streaming has changed the way we consume entertainment, most notably binge watching, a habit that has been picked up by many. Instead of tuning into a certain channel at a given time period, many platforms release entire seasons at once, letting viewers watch back to back for hours on end. This on-demand tactic allows people to choose what they watch and when they watch it, unlike traditional cable television. The unmatched flexibility of streaming allows people to explore new genres and stories they normally would not even bother giving a try as it takes zero commitment to start a new TV show or movie on streaming.

As the streaming industry continues to grow, cable TV loses more and more viewers who are “letting go of the cord” to switch to the more affordable, flexible options. Advertisers now lack outreach to audiences through cable television channels. Movie theaters have also faced many challenges, as platforms like Disney and Crave release big movies directly for streaming. While theaters offer a very unique and enjoyable experience, the convenience of streaming has proven to be the winner. 

Overall, the streaming era has permanently changed entertainment. By introducing binge watching, on demand streaming and many more diverse options, it has made watching TV less stressful and accessible, combating the problem of traditional cable and cinema. 

Works Cited

Howarth, Josh. “30+ Cord Cutting Statistics (2024-2027).” Exploding Topics, Exploding Topics, 21 Feb. 2024, explodingtopics.com/blog/cord-cutting-stats. 

“Streaming Platforms and Their Impact on the Film Industry.” Film and Television Rights Management Blog, blog.filmtrack.com/industry-insights/streaming-platforms-and-their-impact-on-the-film-industry#:~:text=With%20more%20and%20more%20people,get%20entertainment%20via%20streaming%20services. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024. 

Ruether, Traci. “History of Streaming Media [Infographic].” Wowza, 8 June 2023, http://www.wowza.com/blog/history-of-streaming-media.