Streaming Services, Interactive Content, and Expensive Fantasy: How TV Series Will Evolve Soon

Film critic Alexey Khromov from Lifehacker shares insights on what and how we will be watching in the near future.

The production of TV series is currently experiencing a golden age. The old stereotype that only directors and actors who couldn’t break into big cinema work on TV shows is now obsolete. Each year, top series break viewership records, and the quality of filming and special effects rivals that of blockbuster movies.

However, the industry is constantly evolving: new formats emerge, and stories explore previously underrepresented themes. It’s nearly impossible to precisely predict the landscape in a few years due to unpredictable social changes and revolutionary technological advancements that may impact filming and broadcasting. Yet, by analyzing current trends, we can make informed forecasts.

More Streaming Platforms with Exclusive Content

Just a decade ago, traditional TV channels dominated the market, airing series on fixed schedules with reruns and DVD releases.

Everything changed with the rise of Netflix, which transitioned from streaming third-party content to producing original shows, now setting industry standards.

By early 2019, Netflix had nearly 140 million subscribers. Other streaming platforms like Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Sony Crackle also operate similarly, offering popular series alongside original content.

These services offer viewers convenience: watch your favorite detective show or comedy anytime without worrying about fixed airtimes.

The future clearly belongs to streaming. Major studios are launching their own platforms: Disney+ and Apple TV+ launched in late 2019, and HBO Max followed in spring 2020, alongside numerous smaller projects.

These companies compete by offering highly attractive content. Disney+ features series from the Star Wars and Marvel universes, while HBO Max secured exclusive rights to iconic shows like "Friends," "The Office," and "The Big Bang Theory."

Platforms also sign exclusive deals with top producers and creators. Netflix partnered with Ryan Murphy ("American Horror Story," "Glee") and Shonda Rhimes ("Grey's Anatomy," "Scandal"); Amazon Prime collaborates with Nicole Kidman’s studio; Apple TV+ works with Oprah Winfrey.

This indicates that even creators of the most popular series now prefer streaming services.

In Russia, streaming platforms are developing more slowly, but "KinoPoisk" is actively acquiring exclusive series, and "Amediateka" is preparing its first original project.

Entire Seasons Released at Once

The binge-watching trend began with Netflix’s 2013 release of the entire first season of "House of Cards." Amazon Prime, Hulu, and others have since adopted this model.

Since these platforms don’t follow traditional broadcasting schedules, viewers can choose their own pace: some prefer one episode per week, others binge entire seasons over weekends.

Even traditional channels are moving toward this approach. For example, AMC released the entire first season of "The Terror" on its paid subscription service on the premiere day.

This model doesn’t work for all formats. Talk shows, for instance, thrive on live broadcasts due to their topical nature. Also, binge releases reduce the communal experience of discussing episodes weekly, as seen with the "Game of Thrones" finale.

Nonetheless, the future of series likely involves releasing entire seasons simultaneously, which has contributed significantly to Netflix's subscriber growth.

Long-Running Procedurals Will Decline

The Information reported that Netflix may soon stop producing series beyond two seasons, as longer runs tend to lose new viewers.

While traditional TV channels like The CW benefit from long-running shows like "Supernatural," streaming studios find it more strategic to end series at their peak and launch new projects to broaden their audience.

This trend is reflected in the 2018 "May Sweeps," when many underperforming series were canceled, including a dozen by ABC alone.

With shorter series runs, endless procedural dramas—where each episode focuses on a separate case—are becoming less common. Instead, more shows feature continuous story arcs.

This format attracts renowned directors, including those from cinema. Jean-Marc Vallée directed the entire "Sharp Objects" and the first season of "Big Little Lies." Paolo Sorrentino created "The Young Pope." David Fincher was deeply involved in "Mindhunter," though he didn’t direct every episode.

These projects resemble multi-hour films, offering creators freedom beyond the typical 2–3 hour movie runtime.

Many top filmmakers are moving to streaming platforms to create feature-length films with greater creative control. For example, Zack Snyder’s "Army of the Dead" and Alfonso Cuarón’s Oscar-winning "Roma" premiered on Netflix.

This shift suggests auteur cinema is increasingly migrating from theaters to home screens, while wide theatrical releases focus mainly on blockbusters.

Expansion of Cinematic Universes and Film-Linked Series

Following Marvel’s success, many studios rushed to build cinematic universes across film and TV. However, many attempts failed due to fierce competition and the challenge of maintaining cohesive stories across mediums.

DC has effectively abandoned this approach: its new series on its streaming platform develop independently from films, while some characters continue on The CW.

Disney seems to be revising its cinematic universe strategy by focusing series on secondary film characters. Marvel’s upcoming mini-series include projects centered on Loki, Scarlet Witch and Vision, Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Hawkeye.

Disney+ launched "The Mandalorian," set in the Star Wars universe, and plans additional projects, including a series about Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Other studios are following suit. Denis Villeneuve plans a series about the female Bene Gesserit order from "Dune." Initially, a "Dark Tower" series was intended as a film prequel but was canceled after the movie’s failure.

Traditional Superhero Shows Will Decline

Superhero films and series have dominated screens in recent years, but audiences are growing weary of conventional caped heroes.

This fuels the rise of unconventional projects like "The Umbrella Academy," which resembles a family drama, and "The Boys," which portrays superheroes as greedy villains.

Traditional superhero series such as "The Flash" and "Supergirl" are expected to lose popularity as the market becomes oversaturated. Instead, shows critiquing or exploring superhero themes—like the lives of ordinary people in superhero worlds or the struggles of powered individuals—will gain prominence.

More High-Budget Fantasy Series

Following the massive success of "Game of Thrones," studios rushed to adapt popular fantasy books and series. Until recently, such projects were rare due to high production costs.

In the coming years, viewers can expect a surge of fantasy series based on renowned novels involving magic and battles against supernatural creatures. Anticipated titles include "The Witcher," "His Dark Materials," a prequel to "The Lord of the Rings," spin-offs of "Game of Thrones," "The Wheel of Time," and more.

While many projects may fail or never reach screens, the next 2–3 years promise an unprecedented boom in fantasy content.

Increasing Viewer Interactivity

Modern TVs, computers, and smartphones are converging technologically. Most smart TVs support apps and internet access, and platforms like Netflix and KinoPoisk offer mobile viewing.

This enables creators to develop interactive content. Although still in early stages, projects like Steven Soderbergh’s "Mosaic" allow viewers to influence character actions and storylines via smartphones.

Netflix pioneered interactive kids’ content with "Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale," followed by "Black Mirror: Bandersnatch," and "You vs. Wild" featuring Bear Grylls, where viewers control the host’s decisions.

The future of interactive films and series depends heavily on technology development. Viewers enjoy influencing plots and avoiding spoilers by choosing among multiple endings.

Eventually, we may see hybrids of games and series, where viewers directly control characters, blending storytelling with gameplay.

Content Diversification and Personalization

Streaming services influence not just formats but also themes. Without the need to maximize mass viewership at specific times, platforms can produce diverse projects targeting particular social groups.

This includes racial diversity, with shows appealing primarily to Black audiences, and storylines centered on LGBTQ+ communities.

Netflix and others are advancing content personalization, recommending series and films based on individual preferences. This trend will likely intensify, allowing users to select topics they want to explore or avoid.

With contextual advertising and interactivity evolving, personalized content filtering and targeted ads may become integrated directly into series viewing experiences.

Classical Storylines Will Transform

No one can definitively predict which series and characters will dominate, as networks and platforms commission numerous pilots and cancel many after poor reception.

Beyond fantasy and cinematic universes, classic drama endures. Humans have cherished compelling life stories long before film and TV existed.

Modern narratives increasingly focus on women or explore traumatic childhood and youth experiences.

Comedy remains vibrant, despite its decline in cinema. Lighthearted half-hour series, perfect for breakfast viewing, continue to attract audiences.

The sitcom era exemplified by "Friends" and "The Big Bang Theory" is likely waning. Compared to high-budget productions, shows set mostly in a single home draw less attention.

Retro-themed shows are also declining. While "Stranger Things" led nostalgia-driven audiences, repetitive storylines may cause viewers to lose interest.

Popular series like "The Umbrella Academy" and "The Haunting of Hill House" demonstrate that audiences prefer genre blends—mixing horror or superhero fiction with drama and real-life stories. This aligns with postmodern tastes, offering thrilling action alongside complex, relatable characters rather than clichés.

Predicting television’s future is challenging due to rapidly shifting trends. However, the rapid growth of streaming, interactivity, technological advances, and social changes will undoubtedly reshape series production. It remains one of the most popular pastimes worldwide.

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