The rise of internet-distributed television has radically transformed the television landscape, with Netflix standing at the forefront of this revolution. The streaming platform has not only redefined production practices but also reshaped how we consume media. As Mareike Jenner highlights in Netflix and the Reinvention of Television (2018), Netflix’s innovative model challenges traditional television’s reliance on scheduling and the network model, offering a new paradigm for both creators and viewers.

From a production standpoint, Netflix’s vast global reach has encouraged a shift towards serialized storytelling, where episodes are often designed to be consumed all at once. This departure from weekly episodic structures allows for greater narrative depth, as creators have more freedom to explore intricate plotlines over a season or more. Netflix’s investment in original content, including series like Stranger Things and The Crown, has spurred the production of diverse, high-budget programming designed to appeal to global audiences. The platform’s data-driven approach further enables personalized recommendations, ensuring that viewers are constantly engaged with content tailored to their preferences.

The most notable shift, however, is in consumption. Netflix has pioneered the binge-viewing culture, where viewers can watch entire seasons of shows in one sitting. Jenner emphasizes that binge-watching isn’t merely about watching more content; it’s a new mode of engagement that alters how we experience narratives. This form of consumption has transformed television into a more immersive, self-paced activity, allowing for deeper emotional connections with characters and stories.

In this transformed landscape, new possibilities for representation have emerged. Netflix’s diverse catalog has opened doors for stories that challenge conventional portrayals of race, gender, and sexuality. Shows like Orange is the New Black and Pose push boundaries by exploring complex intersections of identity, providing a platform for marginalized voices that have often been underrepresented in mainstream media.

Ultimately, Netflix’s model has reshaped both the production and consumption of television, expanding the possibilities for representation while also encouraging more personalized, immersive viewing experiences.

Post by: Karoline Brandslet

Mareike Jenner (2018), ‘Introduction: Netflix and the Renvention of Television’, ‘Introduction: Binge Watching Netflix’, Netflix and the Reinvention of Television, pp. 1-31, 109-118.