Not long ago, television was seen as the lesser sibling of cinema—something dismissed as mere entertainment rather than a serious art form. Occasionally, a series would be compared to a film, but more as an acknowledgment of its exceptional quality rather than a true aesthetic equivalence. However, over the last two decades, television has undergone a transformation, emerging as a prestigious and influential medium, sometimes even eclipsing cinema itself. How did TV shows attain their current status, and what role did technology play in their evolution? Let’s explore the great television revolution.
The Two Golden Ages of Television
Any discussion about the rise of prestige television inevitably leads back to the history of American TV. Traditionally, scholars and critics divide television’s evolution into two "Golden Ages." The first took place in the mid-20th century, while the second unfolded in the 2000s and 2010s. This second wave of television’s renaissance was driven by advancements in technology and a radical shift in narrative complexity and visual storytelling.
One of the key catalysts for this transformation was the rise of cable television. Before its expansion, network TV dominated the industry, catering to mass audiences with predictable programming such as sitcoms and soap operas. Though some experimentation occurred—such as Hill Street Blues (1980s), which introduced more complex characters and themes, or Miami Vice, which brought cinematic flair to the small screen—networks were generally reluctant to take risks, fearing the alienation of mainstream audiences.
That all changed with cable.
The Cable Revolution: HBO and the Rise of the Showrunner
For years, cable channels struggled to compete with network television. Subscribers had to pay for access, and early programming largely consisted of reruns, stand-up comedy specials, and sports events. Attempts to replicate network-style programming proved unsuccessful. The breakthrough came when cable networks shifted their focus from mass appeal to niche audiences. Instead of trying to reach everyone, they concentrated on quality storytelling designed to attract loyal, engaged viewers.
This shift was epitomized by HBO, which, despite not being the first cable network to experiment with this strategy, became the undisputed leader of the movement. With shows like Oz, The Sopranos, and Sex and the City, HBO redefined television by allowing creators unprecedented creative freedom. It was on HBO that the role of the showrunner—previously a behind-the-scenes position—became a crucial figure in shaping a series’ artistic vision.
These new shows embraced complex narratives, morally ambiguous protagonists, and controversial themes. The Sopranos introduced audiences to Tony Soprano, a mob boss struggling with mental health issues, while The Wire, created by former journalist David Simon, became an intricate examination of systemic corruption in Baltimore. Meanwhile, Breaking Bad transformed Walter White from an unassuming chemistry teacher into one of television’s most notorious antiheroes.
Cable networks weren’t chasing ratings in the traditional sense. Instead, they prioritized critical acclaim and cultural prestige. While these shows didn’t always pull in massive viewership numbers compared to network programs, they gained a reputation for being "must-watch" television, attracting educated and affluent audiences. Over time, cable dramas started being recognized as high art, securing their place in pop culture history.
The Streaming Revolution: How Netflix Changed Everything
The next major shift in television came not from cable, but from the internet. Once seen as a threat to traditional television, the internet instead became a powerful distribution platform. Netflix was the first to fully embrace this new era, launching a subscription-based streaming model that allowed viewers to watch TV shows and films on demand.
With streaming came a new way of consuming television: binge-watching. While the concept of watching multiple episodes in a row wasn’t new—DVD box sets had already encouraged this habit—Netflix popularized the practice by releasing entire seasons of its original shows at once. This format particularly benefited complex, serialized narratives that encouraged viewers to stay engaged for hours at a time.
Netflix’s early original programming, such as House of Cards and Orange Is the New Black, mimicked the cable model by appealing to audiences hungry for prestige dramas. But the platform also introduced something new: a data-driven approach to content creation. Using viewer analytics, Netflix identified gaps in the market and catered to diverse audiences. This strategy gave rise to a wave of niche shows, from teen dramas to foreign-language series, broadening the definition of what television could be.
The Blockbuster Effect: How TV Became Big Business
By the 2010s, television was no longer just a storytelling medium—it was an industry capable of producing cultural phenomena. Game of Thrones, one of HBO’s biggest successes, demonstrated that a television show could rival Hollywood blockbusters in both budget and spectacle. Similarly, The Walking Dead proved that serialized television could attract audiences in numbers once thought exclusive to major films.
At the same time, technological advancements in high-definition video, widescreen televisions, and home theater systems allowed shows to become more visually sophisticated. No longer restricted by the limitations of old TV formats, creators pushed the boundaries of cinematography, special effects, and production design.
The Future of Television
Today, the lines between film and television have blurred. Directors once devoted solely to cinema now helm TV projects, and actors who previously avoided the small screen eagerly sign on for streaming series. Meanwhile, streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ continue to invest in high-quality productions, signaling that television’s dominance is far from over.
But this new era also brings challenges. As more streaming platforms enter the market, competition is fierce, and the cost of producing premium content is skyrocketing. Additionally, the "gold rush" mentality has led to an oversaturation of content, making it harder for any one show to stand out.
Even so, television’s transformation over the past two decades has been nothing short of revolutionary. What was once a medium dismissed as secondary entertainment is now a dominant force in global culture—an art form as respected and influential as cinema itself.
