The emergence of streaming services drastically changed the manner in which people view and engage with television.

In fact, the face of media consumption has completely changed within the last two decades due to the advancement of streaming services. Whether in the older DVD rental service or in newer on-demand availability on several platforms, this has transformed television and movies, changing habits and the whole industry altogether.

The late 1990s and early 2000s marked the rise of companies such as Netflix, which was initially a DVD rental-by-mail. Although this was a revolutionary model at the time, it only marked the beginning of something much greater. With the arrival of broadband internet, streaming video would eventually become the means by which consumers would be able to view content immediately, rather than having to go through the physical process of media. It was in 2007 that Netflix launched its streaming service, a moment in time that would forever change the way people consumed entertainment. This was the start of a new era where one could access a large library of films and shows at one’s convenience.

The 2010s brought improvements in technology, as did the offerings of streaming services. Early competitors emerged, such as Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, and Apple TV+. Each had a special characteristic, like the availability of special content that existed exclusively with the service, original programming, or most user-friendly interfaces. “Binge-watching” became the word of the day as entire seasons appeared at once, leaving viewers free to binge at their own frequency. Not only did this change the nature of storytelling-the capacity to tell so much more story, introduce so much complexity into characters-but it also created a communal viewing experience, as fans shared episodes online in real time.

Streaming has democratized content creation. Lower barriers to entry allow independent filmmakers and smaller production companies to access a worldwide audience without Hollywood gatekeepers. YouTube and Vimeo are the birthplace of new creators who are creating more diversified voices and stories. Innovation in storytelling has become a source of encouragement in types of content available for niche audiences that were usually left unaddressed by mainstream media.

Beyond availability, streaming services also changed advertising and distribution styles. Since more viewers consume on-demand content, there is a shift of more traditional networks to embracing streams. In addition, with the streaming nature, a change was also seen by advertisers on how they ought to be; new trends in targeted advertising and contents recommendation have emerged. And because the nature of these streams is data-driven, platforms can use the viewers’ preferences for more streamlined experiences to ensure audience engagement.

Still, the evolution comes along with its own challenges. Firstly, there is choice and decision fatigue because viewers cannot possibly keep up with every piece of content under its own steam. Such dilemmas include copyright issues. Audiences have had to navigate a space crowded full of multiple subscriptions, looking for their desired pieces. This competitive nature of the market has also raised questions about the viability of some platforms, especially those that invest a lot in original content without having a clear path to profitability.

In a nutshell, streaming services have forever changed the way we consume media. They have fostered the binge-watching culture, made diverse storytelling possible, and altered our viewing habits as well as the entire entertainment industry. And the ride has just started with much to be experienced; the future of media consumption is something to look out for in years to come.