Streaming. What started as a small idea at Netflix has morphed into an unstoppable entity, arguably becoming the main way we consume TV, films and even games. Whilst undoubtedly providing us with immeasurable freedom and choice it has also come with numerous burdens. I am well aware that I am not the first to write on ‘the issue with streaming’, with many voicing concerns as to how it has ‘killed TV’ but it’s not hard to see why: the streaming model has undervalued writers, actors and production teams, evidenced by last year’s strikes, original shows and content is often removed from services with little to no explanation whilst the consumerist culture that we live in has resulted in the creation of a hydra-like monster, with service after service being created in order to try and take our money. Consequentially, this has resulted in the need for content to be churned out in a seemingly never-ending cycle.
One may suggest that this is great, surely? Why should we complain when we have so many entertainment options? Yet this is where the problem lies; with the production of so much content, a lot of it feels hastily and lazily produced. Whilst watching Marvel’s Secret Invasion last year I found myself questioning if I had just become a soulless automaton, mindlessly yet willingly shovelling bland TV into my brain. I realised I had become numb to what I was watching, convincing myself that the dribble put in front of me wasn’t that bad, trying to assuage the guilt in shelling out for all of the services I have subscribed to. This wasn’t the only case of shows that personally gutted me recently. The past season of Sex Education felt heartbreakingly desperate, and the expansion of RuPaul’s Drag Race has happened so exponentially that it has slowly killed my enjoyment of a franchise that I loved.
Of course, it should be acknowledged that streaming is equally phenomenal, creating incredible shows, ranging from Stranger Things to Squid Game and allowing stories to be told that may have never been commissioned by terrestrial TV, all whilst giving us unparalleled access to a library of content from history.
So why do I still feel so overwhelmed? Despite new series my favourite shows dropping recently, such as Queer Eye, For All Mankind and Big Boys, I’ve simply lacked the incentive to start watching, casually putting them off and telling myself I’ll start them at a later date. (Somehow, I still find myself confused at the end of each day as to how I end up watching a video of someone turning a $10 traybake into a ‘luxury wedding cake’ or Glee for the billionth time!)
I think the problem with this lies in the very structure of streaming.
Unlike live TV, streaming is available on practically any portable device. This has removed the necessity to be sat in front of the TV at a specific time; we can now consume all of this content at our own pace, according to our own schedules. Whilst extremely convenient, ultimately, it may have killed the ephemerality of live TV.
There was a time when watching TV was a tangible act. Even with the record button on Sky, the live nature of TV necessitated that we sit down, whether by ourselves or as a collective. You could sit down, knowing that people were watching at exactly the same time as you, facilitating discussion the next day with friends or family. Whether it was David Tennant’s supposed ‘regeneration’ in the fourth series of Doctor Who, One Direction on The X Factor or Nadiya winning The Great British Bake Off, there was something magical in knowing that the entire nation was watching. Now, we have to avoid social media if we don’t want to be spoiled or hastily try to catch up on episodes whilst being crammed on public transport.
I am being slightly melodramatic. Terrestrial TV still gets people talking, from The Traitors, to Strictly Come Dancing or the final series of Succession. Regardless, I cannot help but feel that it’s not the same. Sometimes, it feels as though TV has become a burden to keep up with, the consumption of
content seen as a requirement to remain within the cultural zeitgeist rather than as something to truly enjoy and unwind with at the end of the day. So, we shouldn’t forget how powerful sitting down to watch TV can be. Be it with friends, family, or the world there is something within it that has an unparalleled beauty. I just hope it hasn’t been lost forever.
Having said that, will I still be streaming something tonight? Yes, yes, I will.
