The fragmentation of began with the proliferation of cable television in the 1990s but was obliterated by the internet. Today, there are hundreds of "channels" (YouTube, Twitch, Hulu, Disney+, Spotify). A teenager in Nebraska can be obsessed with a Korean variety show, a grandmother in London can follow a cooking ASMR artist in Japan, and a stockbroker in New York can listen to a niche Dungeons & Dragons actual-play podcast.

We cannot discuss in 2024 without addressing the anxiety of the spoiler. Popular media has become so narrative-driven (think Succession, Game of Thrones, Attack on Titan ) that the plot twist is the product. Consequently, we have developed complex social rituals around consumption.

Why [Big Budget Movie] Bombed and [Indie Film] Became a Cult Sensation

The Fragmented Cable and Internet Era (Late 20th to Early 21st Century)

: Platforms like Netflix and Spotify have shifted control to the consumer, making "appointment viewing" a relic of the past.