How Hollywood Is Adapting To The Age Of Streaming
The world of entertainment has seen a drastic shift in the last decade. With the rise of streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and Hulu, audiences are turning to online entertainment more than ever before. This shift has impacted the way Hollywood operates, and studios are beginning to adapt to a new era of streaming.
One of the most significant changes in Hollywood’s approach to streaming is its investment in digital content. Before streaming services, Hollywood’s focus was predominantly on cinema releases and selling DVDs. However, with the ascent of streaming platforms, studios are investing more in digital content than ever before. The quality of digital content has taken an enormous leap forward in recent years, with many streaming services producing their own premium TV shows and movies. This shift has opened up new opportunities for screenwriters, actors, and directors, who can now pitch their ideas to streaming services, which are more open to trying out new content and taking creative risks.
Hollywood’s investment in digital content also represents an attempt to compete with streaming giants like Netflix. With over 200 million subscribers, Netflix has dominated the streaming world, with consumers now expecting high-quality original content on a regular basis. Other platforms, such as Amazon Prime and Hulu, have begun to ramp up their original content, and Disney+ has also entered the market, looking to capitalise on their portfolio of IP. As competition heats up, studios are investing more heavily in developing their own streaming platforms, as seen with Warner Bros’ HBO Max and NBCUniversal’s Peacock.
However, Hollywood’s embrace of streaming isn’t just about competing with the streaming giants; it’s also about staying relevant with younger audiences. Younger generations are far more likely to consume content online than on traditional television and cinema. To cater to this audience, studios are creating digital content with younger audiences in mind. This has led to a rise in more diverse content, like Netflix’s “Dear White People,” which explores race and identity from a millennial perspective. By nurturing these new talents, Hollywood is future-proofing its industry and cultivating a new generation of digital content creators.
While Hollywood’s shift to digital content may have been met with some resistance initially, it has given way to exciting opportunities for films and TV series to explore new ideas and tell new stories in a long-form format. One such example is the recent release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League on HBO Max. The original Justice League film, released in 2017, suffered from a lukewarm reception and was plagued by production issues. However, with the backing of HBO Max, Snyder was able to release his original vision for the movie, introducing new characters, plotlines, and a radically different tone. This four-hour epic proved to be a hit with fans, proving that Hollywood can continue to take risks and innovate in the digital age.
Another adaptation being made to Hollywood’s approach to streaming is adjusting movie release schedules. With COVID-19 shutting down cinemas worldwide, the industry has been forced to rethink its approach to release schedules. Many studios have temporarily postponed cinema releases and have instead released them exclusively on streaming platforms. This shift is a win for studios, as it means that movies can still reach a wide audience while encouraging people to stay at home during the pandemic.
As Hollywood adapts to the age of streaming, it’s interesting to see how the industry is responding to new demands, embracing diversity, leaning into innovation, and adapting to a new generation of fans who consume most of their content online. While there may be growing pains as Hollywood finds its footing in this digital era, it’s an exciting time for the industry as it explores the limitless potential of the digital streaming age.
