It’s been over fifteen years since the first streaming service launched, but streaming services didn’t surpass traditional cable until 2022 contributing to the decline of primetime television in popularity and viewership. Primetime TV is generally defined as shows that air on networks (CBS, ABC, etc) around 7:00-10:00 PM. There have been many notable primetime shows – some still going, like Law & Order, Family Guy, NCIS, and the Chicago series. If you were to bring up primetime television nowadays, many might not even know what you’re talking about. Why is that?
The obvious reason for primetime TV’s decline is the rise of streaming services. Disney+, Netflix, and Amazon’s Prime Video services are some of the most well-known ones. The Covid-19 pandemic hit right about the time more streaming services, like Disney+ and Peacock, came onto the scene. Since people were stuck in their homes, with little else to do and no new shows being released, streaming shows became popular. Additionally, streaming services are significantly more convenient than primetime TV since audience members don’t have to wait each week to see what happens next. People can stream their favorite shows whenever they want. Besides sports, primetime TV has little to offer, and, rather than having to wait for something to air, and possibly missing it, a show or movie can be watched whenever.
In a survey conducted with 63 students at Parkway North, 73% of respondents said that they haven’t watched primetime television recently. By contrast, in that same survey, 100% of respondents said they use a streaming service. When asked what streaming services they used, Netflix was the most popular, with 55 students saying they used it. Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ were next with 48 and 46 students respectively.
“We mostly watch movies and old Disney shows, but I’m watching Cobra Kai right now,” freshman Sriya Karnam said.
The survey also showed that students prefer action, science fiction, and fantasy genres, with lots of anime, Marvel, and other similar series being listed as well. Primetime TV, nowadays, is filled with a lot of crime/crime psychology shows, medical dramas, and other drama-based shows. In the survey, very few students mentioned these compared to action series, animes, or other dramas making primetime shows less appealing to students.
“I answered no to [“Have you recently watched primetime television?”]. My dad watches movies though,” sophomore Justin McGovern said.
Many previous primetime shows that may have appealed to students have either ended, moved to streaming services, or both. Some of the most beloved primetime series, such as The Big Bang Theory, the various Star Trek shows, and numerous beloved sitcoms from the 1990s and 2000s have ended but can be watched on streaming services. With so many of these shows no longer airing, there’s been a void left in the primetime TV space that hasn’t been filled by something as popular or high-quality.
The younger audience has moved to streaming services, which are both more convenient and offer shows and movies that they care about. One could also point to the rise of other entertainment forms, mainly gaming and social media, which, alongside streaming services, have captured the attention of younger viewers much easier.