Every piece of media should focus on a single, primary goal (e.g., to inform, to make someone laugh, or to promote a brand). 2. Popular Media Formats
Most people's "Watch Later" lists on YouTube, Netflix, or Prime are where good intentions go to die. They have 200+ items and you'll never touch 80% of them. Justice.League.XXX.An.Axel.Braun.Parody.XXX.DVD...
Popular media during this era was monolithic. If you wanted to be part of the cultural conversation, you watched the season finale of M A S H* (which drew over 100 million viewers) or listened to Michael Jackson’s Thriller on vinyl. The audience was passive. We consumed what was placed in front of us. The barrier to entry for creators was insurmountable; you needed millions of dollars and the blessing of a corporate boardroom to reach a mass audience. Every piece of media should focus on a
| Platform Type | Examples | Primary Content | |---------------|----------|------------------| | Broadcast TV | NBC, BBC, CBS | Live events, sitcoms, news | | Cable TV | HBO, MTV, ESPN | Premium series, reality, sports | | Streaming Services | Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ | On-demand films, series, originals | | Social Platforms | YouTube, TikTok, X | User-generated, viral clips, influencer content | | Gaming Platforms | Steam, PlayStation Network, Roblox | Interactive games, live ops events | | Audio Platforms | Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible | Music, podcasts, audiobooks | They have 200+ items and you'll never touch 80% of them
The only constant is change. But one truth remains: humans are storytelling animals. We will always need to explain our world to us, to make us laugh, cry, and think. The formats will change—from cave paintings to VR headsets—but the craving for compelling entertainment content is eternal.
The internet, specifically Web 2.0 in the mid-2000s, shattered the gates. Platforms like YouTube (2005), Facebook (2004), and later Instagram and Snapchat democratized distribution. Suddenly, no longer required a studio. It required a camera, an internet connection, and a unique voice.
Stay curious. Watch critically. Enjoy responsibly.
