Remember What GOOD TV Was Like?

Is television dying in the 2020s?

From the 1950s to just 2 or 3 years ago, television was a huge part of American pop culture, and we saw and evolution in the types of shows and the way television was distributed through the decades. I can’t be the only one that feels like tv is less relevant than ever.

The last time tv felt relevant to me was 2020-2021 for two reasons: the pandemic and the streaming wars. With everyone stuck inside their house, we had more time to get invested with shows that probably wouldn’t have caught on at other times, while simultaneously, every company was created their own shows for their newly launched streaming services. Ted Lasso, The Queen’s Gambit, Tiger King, Squid Game and "Bridgerton" all stick out to me as shows connected to this era.

But in the past two years, I have no idea whats been happening. Except for some late 2010s shows limping to their conclusion, I have heard buzz about maybe two shows in 2022 and 2023: The Boys and Yellowstone. Everything else notable has been a total flop like Lord Of The Rings or a critical darling that seemingly no one watches like Severance.

Instead, it seems like YouTube, TikTok, Video Games and Podcasts have taken televisions place. I used to love keeping up with the hot new shows, but in the last 2 years I’ve only watched the final season of "Better Call Saul" and sports. My parents used to tell me about the shows they watched, now they tell me about their favorite YouTube channels. Hell, I know people my age and younger that don't have any way to even watch tv, they just have YouTube and TikTok. And none of this is to mention the writers strike, which we will see the effects of in the next couple of years.

Am I projecting, or is this something that's really happening?

Edit: a lot of people talking about live tv/cable is dying because of streaming, that has been happening for a decade plus now. Hell, all but one of the shows i mentioned above is exclusive to a steaming service. I'm talking about television as a concept dying, including steaming. 

 

THE TOP 20 TV SHOWS OF ALL TIME

ALL IN THE FAMILY
THE JEFFERSONS
GOOD TIMES
HAPPY DAYS
LAVERNE AND SHIRLEY
THE BOB NEWHART SHOW
MASH
COLUMBO
THREE'S COMPANY
LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE
THE WALTONS
TAXI
THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW
BARNEY MILLER
CHARLIES ANGELS
THE ODD COUPLE 
THE ROCKFORD FILES
HAWAII 5-0
THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY
THE BRADY BUNCH

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