In the era of modern-day entertainment, digital powerhouses have arisen to fulfill the demands of savvy, streaming-focused tech users. Popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime have emerged to lead the charge in the digital entertainment revolution, becoming some of the most successful companies of this decade. In this article, we will take a look at how these powerhouse streaming services have risen to the top and continue to dominate the entertainment industry.
1. The Digitalized Entertainment Landscape
The world of entertainment has transformed from its traditional form to a much broader digital realm. The most obvious experience of television, movies and music having transitioned into a more technology-driven medium is undeniable.
Online Streaming
The most common method of accessing and consuming digital entertainment, particularly for film and TV, is by streaming services. It seems nearly everyone who enjoys movies has access to Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, or other related services. Nowadays, all that’s necessary to enjoy a film or television series is an internet connection, giving access to a large repository of titles. Movies which never appear in a traditional theatre are equally available and often at a much cheaper price.
Music
Music has followed a similar path, with physical copies such as CDs and vinyls gradually being replaced more and more by digital versions. Services such as iTunes, Spotify, and Apple Music offer unrestricted access to a virtually infinite library of music, podcasts, and soundtracks, with an ever-expanding selection of genres.
Video Games
Whereas home consoles were once the regal way to playing video games, today’s gaming industry has taken a turn towards gaming on the go. Smartphones, tablet, and other mobile devices have brought gaming into the 21st Century, opening up the market to take advantage of a larger mobile gaming audience. The potential to create more immersive gaming experiences are now at an all time high, creating a vast variety of gaming genres.
Video Sharing Platforms
For the more independent minded among us, there are plenty of options for creating our own digital entertainment. A number of video sharing websites such as YouTube, Vimeo and TikTok have allowed for creative expression and sharing of video content. In this way, people have been able to share their thoughts, stories, and ideas to a much wider digital audience in a simplified fashion.
The digitalized world of entertainment has opened a number of possibilities for how we engage and experience media. From the comforts of our own homes, we now have an unprecedented level of access to a vast library of movies, music, video games, and other creative products.
2. Streaming Powerhouses Rise to the Top
The streaming industry is hotter than ever and with it, come success stories of powerhouses that have risen to the top. With services like Netflix and Hulu dominating the market, let’s take a look at some of the big names leading the charge.
Netflix
Netflix has been around since 1997 and is perhaps the single most recognizable name in streaming. Founded by Marc Randolph and Reed Hastings, Netflix is available in over 190 countries and boasts over 130 million subscribers. They are leading the charge on ambitious original programming such as Stranger Things, The Crown, and the recently acclaimed Marriage Story.
Hulu
Joining Netflix as one of the streaming leaders is Hulu, founded by NBCUniversal, Fox, and ABC. Though fewer viewers than Netflix, Hulu has managed to remain competitive thanks to strong library offerings as well as a number of Emmy-winning shows like The Handmaid’s Tale. The service also recently launched a live TV streaming bundle for cord-cutters, making it an even more attractive streaming option.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon’s streaming service has also made a mark on the industry. The library includes not only Amazon original shows and movies, but also several third-party offerings that can be watched for free with a Prime membership. With The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Man in the High Castle, and the critically acclaimed Transparent, Prime Video has produced several beloved programs that viewers can’t get enough of.
Disney+
The latest streaming contender to enter the ring is Disney+. This service offers a wealth of family-friendly content, ranging from classic Disney movies to new Star Wars programming. With popular shows like The Mandalorian, Disney+ is quickly gaining a fervent following. The streaming giant also recently acquired the rights to 20th Century Fox films, meaning there will be even more content available for fans to enjoy.
It’s clear that streaming powerhouses have quickly become major players in the industry. With their vast libraries and cutting-edge programming, they have become essential components for entertainment in the digital age.
3. The Essentials for Streaming Success
1. A good internet connection
For most people streaming audio or video content, the most important thing to have is a reliable internet connection. Having your connection drop out while you are in the middle of something can cause a lot of frustration. To get the most out of streaming, you should have a minimum internet speed of 25 Mbps for ultra-high definition video streaming. Anything lower than that will cause buffering and stutter in your video.
2. The right device
You also need the right device for streaming your content. Smart TVs have built-in streaming services, as do many modern gaming consoles. Blu-ray Disc players, Amazon Fire Stick, and Android TV box sets are also popular streaming devices. These devices tend to give the user the best streaming experience.
3. The right streaming apps
Having the right streaming apps installed on your device can make the difference between a good streaming experience and a bad one. Different apps offer different features and services, so taking the time to select the right one for your particular needs is essential. Apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video are the most popular streaming apps that offer a variety of content.
4. External streaming apps and add-ons
The streaming apps mentioned above are all great, but they only get you access to the main catalogs of content. However, there are always extras out there that allow you to access a wider variety of content. These streaming add-ons can be installed on your device to allow you access to content that isn’t available via the main streaming apps. Some of the most popular streaming add-ons are Kodi, Roku, and Sling.
5. Accessories
Finally, streaming success usually means having the right accessories to improve your streaming experience. For instance, a Smart TV or a game console typically comes with a remote control, but having a more advanced remote with extra features can make it easier to use your streaming device. Other accessories, such as webcams, game controllers and more can improve the quality of your streaming experience.
4. Where Will Digital Entertainment Go Next?
Digital entertainment has come a long way since its original introduction, experiencing growth and fragmentation throughout its development and proving to be a powerful force in modern culture. Where will it go from here?
- Personalization – The way digital entertainment is experienced is going to become increasingly personalized. Platforms are already beginning to customize the viewing experience for each user, tailoring what is shown and recommended. It will even extend across different platforms, allowing content creators to reach viewers with different content or offers. This will create a much more immersive and enjoyable viewing experience for everyone.
- Interactivity – Digital entertainment will become increasingly interactive, with viewers able to provide feedback and take part in interactive content. Viewers will also be able to shape the experience, affecting the outcome of a story or choosing sides in a debate. This will create a more engaging viewing experience and open up a world of possibilities for content creators.
- Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality – Digital entertainment will embrace the power of virtual and augmented reality technologies, creating a more immersive and interactive experience. This could range from traditional films being filmed in 360-degree stereoscopic VR to augmented reality used to enhance a gaming experience. It could even lead to the development of entirely new types of digital entertainment.
- Alternative Platforms – The popularity of digital entertainment has created an opportunity for alternative platforms for content delivery. These alternative platforms range from streaming services to direct-to-consumer networks, giving content creators the ability to bring their content directly to viewers. This could prove to be a major shift in the way people view and interact with digital entertainment.
As digital entertainment continues to evolve, it will become increasingly personalized, interactive, and immersive. Alternative platforms and technologies will further enable content creators and viewers to engage with content in new ways, creating a more vibrant and engaging viewing experience. We can only guess what the future may hold, but it is sure to be exciting!
The future of digital entertainment is in the hands of streaming powerhouses. The successes they have enjoyed thus far bodes well for their continued growth and success and will no doubt provide audiences with even more exciting and engaging content to watch in the years to come.
