In the world of entertainment, the debate between television and film has been a long-standing one. For decades, movies were the pinnacle of creativity, innovation, and cultural influence, while television was seen as a secondary platform, catering primarily to mass-market content. However, the landscape of the entertainment industry has changed dramatically, and in the past decade, television has ascended to a level of prominence that once belonged exclusively to film. The result is a creative revolution where TV now rivals, if not overtakes, film in terms of both artistic innovation and audience engagement.

In the past, film was considered the ultimate medium for creative storytelling. Directors, actors, and writers often dreamed of working in Hollywood, where the magic of cinema reigned supreme. Meanwhile, television was seen as a platform for sitcoms, soap operas, and procedural dramas—entertainment designed for regular, often casual, consumption. However, in recent years, television has surpassed film in many ways. With massive budgets, high-quality production values, and a willingness to experiment, TV has become the medium where the most exciting, creative work is happening. In this article, we’ll explore how TV has overtaken film as a creative force, examining the roles of money, viewers, and glamour in this transformation.

1. The Money Factor: A New Era of Big Budgets

Historically, one of the biggest differences between television and film was the scale of production. Movies had vast budgets, often reaching into the hundreds of millions, while television was constrained by smaller financial resources. This dynamic began to shift with the rise of streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. Suddenly, TV shows were able to command the same kind of budgets that were once reserved for blockbuster films, allowing for a new era of high-production-value television.

For example, in 2022, shows like The Crown (Netflix) and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Amazon Prime Video) had production budgets that rivaled, or even surpassed, those of many Hollywood films. The Rings of Power, based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, had a reported budget of around $465 million for its first season, making it one of the most expensive TV shows ever made. With such financial backing, television can now create elaborate sets, special effects, and top-tier talent that rival the spectacle of a major blockbuster.

Moreover, the increasing popularity of streaming services has shifted the financial landscape. These platforms, with their global reach and subscriber-based revenue models, have allowed TV creators to focus less on box office returns and more on producing content that resonates with diverse audiences. TV shows like Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, and Stranger Things all have massive budgets that afford creative teams the freedom to push boundaries without the constraints typically imposed by traditional network television or the film industry.

2. More Viewers, More Influence

One of the major reasons television has overtaken film as a creative force is the sheer number of viewers it now commands. While film still enjoys widespread popularity, the audience for television—particularly streaming TV—is enormous and increasingly global.

According to data from Statista, the number of global streaming subscribers surpassed 1 billion in 2022, with Netflix alone boasting over 230 million subscribers. This unprecedented access to content means that TV shows can now reach billions of people worldwide. Gone are the days when a film’s success was dependent on the box office performance in a handful of countries. Now, a TV show can be watched simultaneously in homes across the globe, and its cultural impact is often immediate and far-reaching.

This shift in audience size is particularly important for creators. With a larger, more diverse audience, TV shows are no longer confined to narrow demographics. Instead, they can explore a wide range of stories and subject matter, giving rise to more niche genres and experimental storytelling that might not have found an audience in the film industry. Shows like Black Mirror, Euphoria, and Killing Eve have attracted massive followings by tapping into specific cultural conversations and catering to underserved audiences. The vast reach of television enables these niche shows to thrive, offering creative freedom that film might not always allow.

The cultural influence of TV is also undeniable. Shows like The Mandalorian and Squid Game have made lasting impacts on pop culture, sparking conversations that extend far beyond the small screen. Television now often drives the cultural conversation, influencing everything from fashion to politics. The level of engagement with TV shows has also increased, with audiences consuming entire seasons of shows in a single sitting—something that is virtually impossible with the long release cycles of films. This immediacy and mass appeal of television has made it a more relevant medium than ever before.

3. The Glamour Factor: A Shift in Perception

Television used to be seen as the lesser form of entertainment, a medium for “smaller” stories and “lesser” stars. The red carpet at the Academy Awards was where all the glamour was, and TV actors and directors were relegated to the sidelines. However, the lines between television and film have blurred in recent years, with the rise of A-list talent taking on leading roles in TV shows and high-profile directors making the leap to the small screen.

One of the most significant events in this transformation came when major movie stars like Matthew McConaughey and Nicole Kidman signed on to lead shows like True Detective and Big Little Lies. These projects were critically acclaimed, with the actors earning accolades and awards for their performances. Their involvement in TV has demonstrated that the small screen is no longer a step down for established talent; it is now seen as a viable and prestigious avenue for creative work.

The glamour of television is also reflected in its ability to attract top-tier creative minds behind the scenes. Directors like David Fincher, Martin Scorsese, and Ryan Murphy have moved from the world of film to create groundbreaking television shows. Fincher, for example, found critical acclaim with his Netflix series Mindhunter, while Murphy has created a string of successful TV shows, including American Horror Story and The Politician. These big names have brought with them the filmmaking expertise and ambition that were once exclusive to the big screen, raising the artistic caliber of television as a whole.

Moreover, television shows are increasingly being celebrated in the same way as films. The Emmy Awards, for instance, have seen a rise in prestige over the years, with TV shows and actors gaining recognition on par with their cinematic counterparts. This shift in perception has allowed television to flourish as a creative force, and the glamour that was once reserved for the film industry has found a new home on the small screen.

4. The Creative Freedom of TV

While the film industry remains highly profitable, it is also risk-averse. Hollywood studios often prioritize box office performance over creative innovation, leading to a reliance on franchise films, sequels, and adaptations. In contrast, television, especially on streaming platforms, has greater creative freedom. Without the same commercial pressure to produce blockbuster hits, TV creators are more willing to experiment with new formats, storytelling techniques, and genres.

This creative freedom has resulted in the rise of complex, multi-layered storytelling, exemplified by shows like Breaking Bad, Fargo, and The Handmaid’s Tale. These shows are not afraid to explore difficult themes, challenge societal norms, and take creative risks—traits that would be much harder to achieve within the constraints of the film industry. Additionally, TV shows have the luxury of longer formats, allowing for deeper character development and more intricate narratives than the often time-limited structure of films.

Television also offers greater opportunities for diversity and representation. The industry has embraced a more inclusive approach, with TV shows reflecting a broader spectrum of experiences and voices. From Pose to Lovecraft Country, television is showcasing stories that were previously overlooked by mainstream film, giving a platform to marginalized groups and addressing important social issues in meaningful ways.

5. The End of the Cinema-Only Era

While film will never lose its allure or its place in the cultural zeitgeist, the pandemic has accelerated a shift that was already underway. The rise of streaming services, combined with the closures of movie theaters during COVID-19, has made it clear that audiences are no longer dependent on cinema for their entertainment. The idea that television was merely an inferior version of film has been turned on its head.

In 2022, the line between television and film has blurred even further. Big-budget shows are being released with the same pomp and ceremony as Hollywood films, and some even premiere at film festivals. Streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon are producing films that are often released directly to their platforms, bypassing traditional cinema releases altogether. The new digital-first model for film has forced the entertainment industry to reconsider the traditional power dynamics between TV and film, and it’s clear that television has emerged as the dominant creative force.