The Rise Of Television Series and The Fall Of Film
Streaming has changed people’s viewing habits, but do we have regrets?
Poor DVDs. They were sure to be the big thing for the new millennia, but on the timeline, they’ll look like a hilarious trend.
Four pillars of the film industry stood strong in the early noughties:
- Cinema
- DVD/VHS sales
- Blockbusters
- Streaming platforms
Yes, the ad with dusty seats and the frozen sculptures of cinemagoers was powerful. John Hurt's narration was never going to fall short. However, the torpedo that Odeon and Vue’s radar didn’t quite pick up was the switch in consumer habits. If you’re honest with yourself, what makes you go to the cinema nowadays? Most likely it’s your favourite ever film with a number 2 next to it, with your heroes desperately reprising roles with grey hair and last-minute chiropractor sessions so that they can stand for 90 minutes. If I’m wrong then I’ll bet it’s just your crap go-to idea for a date. If I’m still wrong then you might genuinely love film and I’m sorry. Enjoy picking optimal seating without competition.
Yes, films still exist, and are still loved, but the constant rehashing of franchises is causing the queue outside many establishments to disperse. We needed a new brand, a seal of approval that assured us that the film would become a topic of discussion.
Watching a film that’s great but no one has seen is horrifying, it’s volunteer marketing for the next fortnight.
That seal came in the form of “Netflix Original", followed by its little brother — “Amazon Original". Gone are the days when people turn the packet around to read what’s in something, enter the big premium branding. “Everyone will be watching this show, so why don’t you?".
So the pillar of cinema had started to crumble, and the global pandemic was like scything the last millimetre that kept the thing standing. Streaming has also had a huge gnaw at Blockbusters and DVD sales. Getting to browse with your back resembling the hunchback of Notre Dame is a tad comfier than thinking about if you look awkward browsing or not. Putting a finger to your bottom lip while you look because that’s what you see people do.
Nope, we can be ourselves at home. Align the food arrival/readiness so that you can get started with food on your lap. These are the sort of moments you work for.
The difference between Blockbusters and DVD sales? Presents. The one possible salvation would be some feeble royalties from clueless shoppers. Hoping some may have wandered into the thought process that maybe their family member is longing for a disc version of “Paul Blart: Mall Cop”. Despite it being on EVERY STREAMING PLATFORM AT ALL TIMES. Alas, this is hypothetical. These people do not exist. Everyone knows the only disc drive anyone has is in a games console, and that’s already filled with the only game you own that’s on disc. Even that is probably stuck.
So the only pillar left is its own arch enemy. Can films get a say on streaming sites? From my experience, yes! But only on two very particular occasions. Either when you and/or the person you’re with “doesn’t want to get into another series right now because I’m still reeling from season 3 of You" or there’s a 2 in front of a film you’re nostalgic about.
Besides that, a television series just seems to offer more character development, more plot patience, vital gaps between episodes for you to gossip and theorise, and lastly it's just more bang for your buck!
By the way, I’ll be breaking all of these rules for the new Spiderman film.
