**Title: The Paradox of Original New Content in the Streaming Era**
**The Dominance of Old Content in the Streaming Era**
In the age of streaming, it’s surprising to see that old content from years past is outperforming new, original content. In 2022, streamers spent a staggering $23 billion on new scripted content, yet the majority of the top-streamed titles were licensed content from years ago. Even Warner Bros. Discovery, a major studio, saw success with their older content while their new releases failed to make a significant impact.
**The Influence of Nostalgia and Familiarity**
Astonishingly, only three new original titles made it onto the top-watched streamers chart in 2022, and even those had ties to the past. Shows like Stranger Things borrowed scenes and themes from famous movies of the 1980s, while Ozark starred 1980s heartthrob Jason Bateman. This suggests that nostalgia and familiarity play a significant role in the success of content.
**The Struggles of New Spinoffs and Original Content**
While some spinoffs from popular franchises find success, others fail to resonate with audiences. Even highly anticipated releases like Disney’s Toy Story prequel and the latest Star Wars spinoff, Mandalorian, stumbled at the box office and failed to crack the top streaming charts. It seems that new spinoffs and original content often struggle to match the popularity of their predecessors.
**The Content Paradox: Bigger Doesn’t Mean Better**
Streamers are aware that relying solely on old content isn’t a sustainable strategy. Consequently, a record-breaking number of 600 new original scripted series were produced in the U.S. in 2022. However, despite the stratospheric budgets invested in these new productions, none of them made it onto the top streaming charts. This paradox suggests that simply producing more significant and costlier content doesn’t guarantee its success.
**The Dilemma of the Writers’ Strike**
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike in May 2023 put a halt to new productions and highlighted the challenges faced by writers. While their demand for residual payments is justified, the industry points to the perceived lack of substance in today’s scripts, contributing to the popularity of older content. A data-driven approach to content creation and the sacrifice of quality for quantity are also blamed on Silicon Valley’s race to compete with traditional Hollywood.
**The Impact of Intellectual Property and Other Factors**
Traditionalists argue that the rise of intellectual property-driven content, such as superhero movies, has stifled creativity and originality. Hollywood veterans like Quentin Tarantino and Martin Scorsese have criticized the modern era of filmmaking. Additionally, factors like lack of diversity and the rise of anti-woke sentiments have also influenced the reception of original content.
**The Importance of Writers in Content Creation**
Despite the complex factors affecting the success of original new content, industry professionals like Harvey Keitel emphasize the importance of writers. They are seen as the lifeblood of content creation, and their prowess is crucial in producing hit content that resonates with audiences.
Overall, the dominance of old content over new, original content in the streaming era raises questions about the industry’s approach to content creation. While nostalgia and familiar IP play a significant role, the quality of scripts, diversity, and the delicate balance between quantity and quality must be considered to revive the popularity of original new content. Only when these factors align can the industry hope to create the next big hit in the streaming era.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings