This convenience fosters “binge-culture” viewing, where entire seasons of TV and film franchises are consumed in marathons. Data analytics guide content creation: Netflix’s insight into viewer behavior led to investing in shows like Stranger Things and Squid Game (South Korea). The latter’s runaway success demonstrates how local-language content can attain global popularity when algorithms expose it to new audiences.
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Streaming platforms also disrupt theatrical distribution. Studios increasingly release films simultaneously online and in cinemas or circumvent cinemas altogether. While this democratizes access—especially in regions without multiplexes—it destabilizes traditional cinema economics and threatens independent theaters.
Algorithmic curation profoundly influences cultural taste. Personalized recommendations allow discovery—yet risk creating echo chambers: viewers may miss diverse cultural content not aligned with their algorithmic profile. Critics argue this leads to cultural homogenization, while others claim it broadens exposure beyond national cinemas.
Beyond funding and distribution, digital tech has opened creative possibilities. Affordable digital cameras and editing tools enable indie filmmakers worldwide. Platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and social media provide direct audience access. Flashy CGI blockbusters—like Avatar (2009) and its 2022 sequel—demonstrate how technology enhances storytelling. Virtual reality (VR) and interactive film (Bandersnatch, 2018) offer new immersive experiences.
