The Golden Age of TV Fiction

Despite the fact that the “traditional” TV model (i.e. live TV, premium cable, etc.) is challenged by streaming services and changing media consumption habits these days, many people argue that we are currently witnessing the golden age of TV. That is the golden age of scripted TV drama, which enjoys a level of attention and appreciation as it never has before.

Just a decade ago, you would have been hard-pressed to find an established, successful actor in Hollywood willing to play a major role in a TV series. TV actor was used as a derogatory term for those who had failed to make an impression on the big screen. These days, elaborate productions such as HBO’s smash hit “Game of Thrones” arguably grab more attention than most Hollywood blockbusters and not only has TV acting lost its stigma, it is now a prestigious gig that many Hollywood stars are striving for.

The risen esteem of TV drama, a seemingly insatiable consumer appetite for new content to devour and of course the entrance of new players such as Netflix and Amazon have led to a steep increase in the production of original scripted TV content. According to estimates by FX Networks Research, the number of original scripted TV series (excl. re-runs) aired in the United States reached 487 last year, up from just 216 at the beginning of the decade. Interestingly, the growth in output between 2010 and 2013 was largely driven by traditional TV industry players while much of the growth since then can be attributed to online players such as Netflix.