The streaming age has been an era filled with wonders. On the one hand, there have been many shows that have gained acclaim, such as “Arcane,” and “Baby Reindeer,” and on the other, it has seen cancellations of well-regarded shows like “The OA,” “Marco Polo,” and “The Society.” If you notice, most of the shows I’ve listed are new IPs. The unfortunate aspect of streaming is the provider’s rule of quantity over quality. Services like Netflix, HBO Max, Peacock, Paramount+, and Disney+ are businesses first. However, how will they sustain viewership if they cancel shows after 1 season? The company is not allowing the new IP to develop to its potential.
So, where are the sustainability efforts going? The reboots.This practice is a carry-over from the age of Hollywood, where expensive blockbusters and franchise attempts were deeply encouraged by executives financially. It’s usually the safe option to invest in tried and true formulas. The only problem is that society isn’t as Hollywood-dependent as it used to be. Gone are the days when an installment of a “Terminator” or “Men In Black” was pushed as a big thing. Now, a template of that caliber can be seen as a financial loss based on the attention spans of modern viewers. People aren’t glued to the silver screens anymore, considering all the news we get from the internet and social media.
In an attempt to gain interest, companies use the power of nostalgia. Items and customs that unlock a memory for specific demographics. For example, the revival of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” (2024) was a misfire of epic proportions. Many fans who loved the animated original deemed it unnecessary, considering the franchise’s problematic history with live-action. At best, it was mediocre but it should have been left alone.
I’m not saying that all reboots are bad; they’re just unnecessary. Services are doing this to remain profitable, but at what cost? It’s shown that Hollywood-styled blockbusters such as “Red One” and “Joke: Folie A Deux” were disregarded for their missteps. So, when will companies begin to pivot? Whenever that may be, the executives go back to the drawing board cause it’s going to be the dark ages of entertainment if they keep this up.
