The future of media and entertainment
It takes 66 days on average to form a habit. Pattern and repetition are critical to this process. We are nearly 700 days into the pandemic, and many of our habits formed during this time are here to stay, especially when it comes to how we entertain ourselves. Even without a mandated lockdown like at the beginning of the pandemic, infection rates are still high, leaving many choosing to remain at home, surging at-home entertainment once again. Nearly two years into the pandemic, we can already see which media trends are here to stay — and which are not; welcome to our new normal.
We are using the internet more than ever before.
This is the trend that is driving many other trends. From schooling and work to doctors appointments and socializing, more is done online than ever before. Home internet is considered a basic necessity. In 2020, we saw spikes of 60% more data usage than previous years. Much of this data consumption came from smartphones and other mobile devices. With increased smartphone usage comes increased connectivity, which will continue to drive new trends.
Are movie theaters out?
Not necessarily, but sales are down. Cinemas were hit hard in 2020, with a 70.4% decline in one year alone. Two years later, even with the success of “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” 49% of moviegoers haven’t gone back to the theater since the pandemic. Although some companies have shifted, like Disney releasing many new movies on their popular Disney+ streaming service, nothing replaces the theater experience.
With at-home entertainment on the rise, so is the accessibility of an at-home theater setup. LG has teased a new Media Chair concept that is making its debut at CES 2022. It boasts a 55” curved rotating screen connected to a recliner. Although it is only a concept now, it proves the potential of an at-home entertainment system. Many predict that there will be a revival of theaters, but only time will tell. While there is still a high demand for films, a balance of at-home options and theater options will likely be in our future.
Gaming is on the rise
A popular at home activity, especially when stuck at home, is gaming. I mean, I would be lying if I said I didn’t dust off The Sims 4 and play it in March of 2020, and I wasn’t alone. During the pandemic there was a 39% increase of time spent video gaming. Although gaming is a good way to relax and unwind or even have social connection with friends, we also saw an increase of gaming in the classroom, and 91% of teachers said it helped. Not only does it help in the classroom, but outside too. Imagine going to sports practice after class — reviewing film, developing strategies, and of course, practicing. But you’re not on a field or in the gym, you’re in front of a computer. Esports is competitive video gaming that is one of the fastest growing sports in the US. Although there are no ‘Friday Night Lights’, this sport is just like any other, with scholarship opportunities, competitive academic standards (must maintain a certain GPA, etc.), and teamwork opportunities.
Another upgrade to the gaming industry is the switch to the cloud. Like other aspects of the entertainment industry, the cloud and streaming platforms help lower costs by switching to a subscription model. Gone are the days of saving up to buy a $70 video game! Apple Arcade is a recently released service that follows this format. Similar to Apple Music, you pay a subscription fee, but get uninterrupted and unlimited access to all the games you want ad-free. It will be interesting to see if these entertainment services continue to mesh.
Fewer TV Shows
Several production studios closed their doors in 2020. Stranger Things, an extremely popular Netflix original series, started filming at the beginning of 2020, but had to call it quits after only a few months. They resumed filming in September of 2020, but production was slow and didn’t finish for a year. Fans have been waiting three years for the promised new season. These delays are not unusual either; many shows are fighting hard to get filming and production done with changing Covid protocols, quarantining, and sickness.
At the beginning of 2020, it was fun to catch up on all our shows that we had been dying to watch, but two years later we are reaching a shortage. At the time, Netflix had enough shows in their arsenal to maintain output. But, eventually, Netflix original series decreased 12% from 2020 to 2021. Although this has potential to make a recovery, the move in the opposite direction is felt.
Even with the lack of shows, TV still remains the most popular way to watch media, accounting for 62% of time spent in front of a screen is from a TV.
Habits change for a whole slew of reasons — some out of personal preference, some out of necessity. Whatever the reason, many of the habits we’ve formed over this season are here to stay. Like many other aspects of life, we have learned to blend at-home options with traditional out-of-home experiences. Radio, scripted TV, and movies might take years to recover, and some might never reach pre-pandemic levels, but new innovative options will continue to bridge the gap. When it comes to media, we’ll take all the extra options because sometimes a movie night in your pajamas is the best medicine!
