🤣TV Comedy Unit 12 – The Rise of Cable and Streaming Comedies

Historical Context

• Television comedy evolved from vaudeville, radio, and early TV variety shows in the 1950s and 60s
• Sitcoms dominated TV comedy from the 1960s through the 1990s with shows like "I Love Lucy", "The Andy Griffith Show", and "Seinfeld"
• Cable television emerged in the 1980s offering more channels and niche programming compared to broadcast networks
• HBO launched in 1972 as a premium cable channel known for unedited movies and sporting events
  • Began producing original programming in the 1980s with comedy specials and series
• Comedy Central debuted in 1991 as a cable channel dedicated to comedy programming

Cable TV Revolution

• Cable networks offered more creative freedom compared to broadcast networks due to fewer content restrictions
• Niche targeting allowed for edgier, more experimental comedy series aimed at specific demographics
• HBO's "The Larry Sanders Show" (1992-1998) set a new standard for comedy on cable with its satirical take on late-night talk shows
• "South Park" premiered on Comedy Central in 1997 pushing boundaries with its crude humor and social commentary
  • Became the network's highest-rated series and a cultural phenomenon
• Other notable cable comedies of the era include "Sex and the City" (HBO), "The Daily Show" (Comedy Central), and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (HBO)
• Cable comedies paved the way for more diverse, unconventional, and serialized storytelling in the genre

Streaming Platforms Enter the Scene

• Netflix launched its streaming service in 2007 followed by Hulu in 2008 and Amazon Prime Video in 2011
• Streaming allowed for binge-watching entire seasons and personalized viewing experiences
• Netflix began producing original comedy series in 2013 with "Orange Is the New Black" and "BoJack Horseman"
  • "BoJack Horseman" utilized the creative freedom of streaming to explore darker themes and experiment with format
• Amazon found success with the critically acclaimed "Transparent" in 2014 and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" in 2017
• Hulu's "Difficult People" (2015-2017) and "Casual" (2015-2018) showcased the platform's ability to produce quirky, niche comedies
• Streaming platforms disrupted traditional TV models and became major players in the comedy landscape

Key Shows and Creators

• "Veep" (HBO, 2012-2019) - Political satire created by Armando Iannucci starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus
• "Inside Amy Schumer" (Comedy Central, 2013-2016) - Sketch comedy series created by and starring Amy Schumer
• "Master of None" (Netflix, 2015-2021) - Created by and starring Aziz Ansari, known for its diverse cast and cinematic style
• "Atlanta" (FX, 2016-present) - Surreal comedy-drama created by and starring Donald Glover
  • Acclaimed for its unique tone, social commentary, and visual storytelling
• "Fleabag" (Amazon/BBC, 2016-2019) - Created by and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge, known for its fourth-wall breaking and raw humor
• "The Good Place" (NBC, 2016-2020) - High-concept afterlife comedy created by Michael Schur
• "Russian Doll" (Netflix, 2019-present) - Created by and starring Natasha Lyonne, exploring existential themes through a Groundhog Day-esque premise

Changing Comedy Formats

• Streaming platforms' lack of time constraints allowed for more flexibility in episode lengths and season structures
• Shows like "Master of None" and "Atlanta" experimented with standalone episodes and non-linear storytelling
• Short-form content gained popularity with the rise of YouTube and social media
  • "Broad City" began as a web series before being adapted for TV by Comedy Central
• Sketch comedy found new life on streaming with series like "I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson" (Netflix) and "A Black Lady Sketch Show" (HBO)
• Animated comedies for adults thrived on streaming with shows like "BoJack Horseman", "Big Mouth" (Netflix), and "Undone" (Amazon)
  • Allowed for more creative visual storytelling and exploration of mature themes
• Hybrid comedy-dramas or "dramedies" blurred genre lines with shows like "Orange Is the New Black", "Transparent", and "Fleabag"

Audience Shifts and Viewing Habits

• Streaming platforms' algorithms and user data allowed for more targeted content recommendations
• Binge-watching became the norm with entire seasons released at once on streaming
  • Changed the way comedies were written and paced, with more serialized storylines and cliffhangers
• Social media buzz and online discourse became crucial for a show's success and cultural impact
• Cord-cutting and the decline of cable subscriptions shifted audiences to streaming platforms
  • Netflix surpassed cable TV in total U.S. subscribers in 2017
• Younger demographics gravitated towards streaming and short-form content on platforms like YouTube and TikTok
• Viewing habits became more individualized with the ability to watch on multiple devices and on-demand

Industry Impact and Business Models

• Streaming platforms disrupted the traditional TV business model of advertising revenue and syndication
• Netflix's success with original programming led to a content arms race among streaming platforms
  • Increased competition for talent and IP with skyrocketing budgets
• Legacy media companies launched their own streaming services to compete (Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock)
• Vertical integration became more common with companies owning both production and distribution (e.g., Amazon Studios and Prime Video)
• Streaming platforms' global reach allowed for more international co-productions and distribution of foreign language content
  • "Call My Agent!" (France), "Workin' Moms" (Canada), and "Derry Girls" (UK/Ireland) found global audiences on Netflix
• The streaming wars led to consolidation and mergers within the industry (e.g., Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox)

Future Trends and Predictions

• Continued growth and competition in the streaming market with new entrants like Disney+, Apple TV+, and HBO Max
• Increased focus on original, exclusive content as a differentiator among streaming platforms
• More diverse and inclusive programming both in front of and behind the camera
  • Shows like "Ramy" (Hulu), "Never Have I Ever" (Netflix), and "Reservation Dogs" (FX/Hulu) centering underrepresented voices
• Experimentation with interactive and immersive comedy experiences using technologies like virtual reality and choose-your-own-adventure formats
• Potential for more crossovers and collaborations between traditional TV networks and streaming platforms
• Emphasis on global appeal and international distribution with the rise of non-English language hits like "Squid Game" (Netflix)
• Short-form and mobile-first content becoming more prevalent as younger audiences shift to platforms like TikTok and Quibi (RIP)
• Possible consolidation and bundling of streaming services as the market becomes oversaturated