As a cross-cultural consultant, anything that improves lives for all humans through cultural knowledge excites me and I am sure there are others like me out there. For me, Storytelling through the media is a big yes and this is where Netflix comes in. I could go on telling you more about who the big media streaming giant is but that would be so long. However, quickly let me say a little about them; Netflix is a media streaming giant of the 21st century, from TV to films and recently Video Games - this looked like fun when I saw it but I am yet to try it. The number of people that watch Netflix on a day-to-day basis continually increases particularly among the younger generations on a steady - from watching Netflix while on a date(Netflix and Chill) to eating in front of a Netflix series or movie.
I have a curious mind and an appetite and when it comes to media(films, series, tv, etc) I can consume almost any content. Some of my favorites are documentaries, actual events movies, culturally inept stories, boring Christmas movies( lol, I have concluded that this is a thing and all of us who are into this should form a club out there), and more.
So how and why is Netflix a cultural game changer or why does the activities of Netflix in films and TV benefit the larger world culturally?
Here are the 5 main reasons why I consider Netflix to be a global cultural game changer through media.
1. Original content: First and foremost we must recognize how Netflix has revolutionized the way we consume television and film by producing its original content. Shows like " The Crown" (one of my favs), "Narcos" (the first season about the late Drug Lord Pablo Escobar had everyone glued to their screens), and "Stranger Things" have become cultural phenomena, garnering millions of viewers and critical acclaim. This has not only changed the way we watched television but also the way in which it is produced and distributed globally.
2. Global Reach: Netflix is available in over 190 countries, making it one of the most widely accessible streaming services in the world. This has allowed all kinds of people from all over the world to access the same content and experience the same cultural phenomena, regardless of where they live. Let's not forget that Much of the content on the Netflix app or web is shown on the home page which serves as a reminder or attention grabber for anyone with a Netflix account across the globe to take a peep at. By creating for this availability as well as viewer ability of these foreign content; Netflix is gradually breaking barriers across the globe in media. In the past, what most people saw majorly on their TV was mainly about their culture and America; but this is no longer the case. As Netflix seems to aim at the large concept and knowledge of awareness.
3. Diverse programming: Netflix has made concerted efforts to always include diverse programming in its lineup of shows and films, with shows and films representing various cultures, languages, and prospects. this has allowed for greater representation and inclusivity in the media landscape.
4. Breaking down language barriers: From its global reach; Netflix has also made it possible for people to watch shows and films in their own languages with translations for other countries or people - making it easily available to view by others thereby almost blending cultures from a certain angle; while inducing or providing specific cultural knowledge of one culture to another. This feature has helped to break down language barriers and allowed people to experience different cultures through the media they consume.
5. Changing the way we consume media: With the ability to bing watch entire seasons of shows, and the options to download shows and films for offline viewing, Netflix has changed the way we consume media. This has allowed for more flexibility in how and when we watch television and films and has made it possible for more people around the world to consume more content in a shorter period of time.
In conclusion, there are perhaps many more reasons to list but I am sure that these few points will convince you of the cultural impact that Netflix is creating through media -shows, films, and games. Netflix has the entertainment industry and has become a major player in shaping our cultural experiences. Perhaps they may even be nudging towards or gradually inducing a single worldwide culture.
Love,xoxo
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