A Slow Motion Eulogy for the TV Industry
There was a time when television was more than a screen. It was an evening ritual, a shared experience that brought families together in living rooms across cities and small towns alike. Prime time was sacred. Viewers planned their schedules around favorite shows, and the next day conversations at offices and schools revolved around what had aired the night before. Television shaped culture in real time and created a collective memory that defined generations.
The golden age of broadcast networks such as NBC, CBS, and ABC represented a period when a handful of channels could command the attention of millions at once. Later, cable giants like HBO and MTV expanded the landscape, offering niche programming and pushing creative boundaries. Television was not just entertainment. It was influence, identity, and industry power rolled into one.
The slow unraveling began with the digital revolution. The arrival of Netflix marked a turning point that redefined how audiences consumed content. Instead of waiting a week for the next episode, viewers could watch entire seasons in a single weekend. Algorithms replaced program guides. On demand replaced appointment viewing. The shift was subtle at first, but it was irreversible.
Cord cutting soon followed as consumers questioned the value of expensive cable bundles. Younger audiences especially gravitated toward streaming platforms that offered flexibility and personalization. Smartphones and tablets became primary screens. The remote control lost relevance as apps and voice commands took over. Traditional ratings declined steadily, reflecting a fragmentation of attention rather than a lack of interest in storytelling.
Advertising, once the backbone of television revenue, adapted under pressure. Brands moved budgets toward digital platforms where targeting was precise and measurable. The broad appeal of a prime time commercial began to compete with personalized ads delivered directly to individual users. Even iconic events such as the Super Bowl, long considered untouchable in their dominance, are now streamed across multiple platforms, reflecting how even the strongest pillars of broadcast are evolving.
Yet the industry has not vanished. It has transformed. Networks have launched their own streaming services. Studios now think globally from the outset, producing content designed to travel across borders instantly. The line between film and television has blurred, with cinematic storytelling and blockbuster budgets becoming standard for series releases. The living room remains central, but the path to the screen has multiplied.
Follow us on our Socials:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thevitalclash
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thevitalclash
.jpeg)
0 Comments