The golden age of TV changed everything. Once dismissed as second-rate entertainment, television became the new frontier for bold storytelling and complex characters. Hollywood A-listers who once snubbed the small screen now flock to prestige dramas, proving that TV is no longer a step down. It is the place to be.

However, this shift didn’t happen overnight. Over the past two decades, platforms like HBO, Netflix, and Amazon poured billions into high-production shows. Series like “Game of Thrones” and “Stranger Things” became cultural events, drawing more viewers than blockbuster films. Television was no longer just entertainment. It was art.

Peak TV: Too Much of a Good Thing?

The golden age hit its high point in the 2010s. Streaming services exploded, pumping out more scripted series than ever before. The numbers prove it! Original scripted shows in the U.S. jumped from 216 in 2010 to a staggering 600 by 2022. Audiences had more choices than they could possibly watch.

Tech  / Unsplash / Sure! There is an endless list of series to choose from - but the industry is also over-saturated.

But with more content came oversaturation. Not every show could be “Breaking Bad” or “The Sopranos.” While a few standout series captured the zeitgeist, many got lost in the noise. The excitement of a new “must-watch” show started to fade as viewers struggled to keep up.

Cracks in the Industry

The golden age was not built to last forever. The streaming boom led to a content race, with platforms spending more than they earned. Investors wanted profits, not just subscribers, forcing companies to rethink their strategy.

In 2023, Hollywood’s writers’ strike brought production to a halt, cutting the number of scripted shows by 14%.

FX chairman John Landgraf saw it coming. Back in 2022, he predicted the industry had reached “peak TV.” He pointed out that fewer companies were entering the market and some were even pulling back. The unlimited growth model had hit a wall, signaling a shift in the industry.

The Streaming War Tightens the Purse Strings

The golden age of television thrived on streaming platforms that were willing to take risks, but that era of blind spending is fading. In the past, companies like Netflix and Disney+ focused on subscriber growth at any cost. As long as new sign-ups kept climbing, they poured money into original content. However, investors are now demanding profitability, forcing these companies to rethink their strategy.

This shift has led to budget cuts, cancellations, and a more cautious approach to greenlighting new projects. Netflix, once the champion of experimental storytelling, has started axing shows before they have a chance to find their audience.

Even HBO, a network known for taking creative risks, has pulled back on ambitious productions. 

What Comes Next?

The golden age might not be over, but it is evolving. Networks and streamers are prioritizing quality over quantity, focusing on shows with lasting appeal.

Foto / Pexels / Instead of endless new releases, expect a return to carefully crafted storytelling that can hold an audience’s attention.

However, this change is not necessarily bad. A more selective approach could mean fewer forgettable series and more unforgettable ones. The excitement of discovering a truly great show might return, rather than feeling like just another series in an endless queue.

So, is the golden age of TV over? Not completely. The industry is adjusting, but great television is not disappearing. Prestige dramas will still exist, and streaming services will continue producing high-quality content - just at a more sustainable pace.

TV’s golden age may have peaked, but storytelling will always evolve. If the next era focuses on fewer but better shows, that might not be a bad thing. The future of TV is uncertain, but one thing is clear: People will always crave a great story. And that means that the golden age of TV will continue to evolve.