The invention of the television by Philo Farnsworth in 1927 marks one of the largest turning points in the history of technology. Nevertheless, television only became widespread and popular in the 1950s after gaining more popularity than the radio, bringing about the Golden age of the television.
However, just like for the radio, the demand for television also began decreasing with the progression of the 21st Century. Growing up with a TV as a child in the 70s, 80s, 90s and even the 00s brought real joy to many. You can probably recall sitting in your grandmas house on one of those colorful retro patterned sofas watching Tom and Jerry with your cousins or secretly staying up late with friends at a sleepover to watch late-night horror movies.
Sadly with the passing of time and technological advancements, the television and movie nights started to fade and ultimately disappear from our life.
With the invention of the internet and touch screen mobile phones our lives began to drastically change. Once purchasing an Apple product or an Android device you had almost full access to the world of films and videos. The arrival of YouTube and other rudimentary social media platforms such as Myspace widened perspectives even further, influencing the majority of the population that had access to it.
People were almost absorbed by their screens and that remains true to this day. Technological advancements infiltrated our daily lives. Even if you wanted to go back in time to easier times when you just sat on your grandmas couch with a Popsicle in your hand you wouldnt be able to. Nowadays technology is a basic requirement, be that at your workplace or your academic institution.
With the arrival of new technology the world also began to work at a much faster pace than it did before causing the television to be almost forgotten. Now, instead of watching the news and the weather forecast on your sofa in the morning or the evening once or twice a day, you have access to it almost immediately at any part of the day.
However, despite the useful qualities of technology, it also had negative impacts on society. Often we are on our phones for hours or might not even be able to keep away from it for a long time. In a way, we can say that we are addicted to social media, especially the younger generations that were born into the world of advanced technology and consider excessive use normal.
Due to the widespread fascination with social platforms, we waste a lot of our time scrolling through thousands of images and videos that dont particularly add to our day. Of course, social media has its benefits as it gives voice to minorities or those facing injustice. Often we learn shocking events, be that some form of war or domestic abuse. By being educated on the situations of other countries around the world we are made to feel grateful for our own life and it also inspires people to help others and contribute to a greater cause.
Similar to social media platforms, TV shows also gained huge popularity. You might be asking what I mean exactly by that as up till now I was explaining how they went out of fashion. Well, 10 years ago DVDs were the technology that allowed you to watch series, and even though they were popular, their sale rate was nowhere near the number of current Netflix users.
Even though DVD player sales began decreasing soon after 2010, there were still 2.9 million units sold in the U.S. in 2019. In comparison, there were just over 167 million Netflix users the same year all across the globe. That number has now increased to over 209 million all within two years, including 72 million of its users being in the United States and in Canada.
So what is Netflix and when did it take over other film streaming devices?
Netflix is a paid television media service that one can access through the internet. After purchasing your monthly subscription (the standard subscription is $9.99) you can watch up to 15,000 titles of which nearly 4000 are movies.
However, despite its current widespread use, many people are unaware that Netflix was founded quite a while ago, in 1997 to be exact.
Netflix was the first company in the world to launch an online DVD-rental store with having only 30 employees and 925 titles available at the beginning. 925 titles sound less from a 2021 perspective, however in 1997 that number nearly covered every accessible DVD at the time. Can you imagine that Netflix was posting DVDs in envelopes in the mail because I certainly cant!
Of course, over time Netflix also suffered losses as most companies do especially due to competition. Blockbuster was one of Netflixs biggest competition, even forcing Netflix to lower subscription prices in 2007 once implementing their dual DVD rental service which not only allowed people to rent titles online but enabled users to return them to brick-and-mortar stores.
Despite facing challenges in its early years, Netflix currently is one of the largest and most widely streamed online platforms.
So, what can you find on Netflix?
Currently, Netflix has a very wide range of genres of films and series that one can watch. This includes both old and new as well as their originals. No matter what age you are or what your movie genre preference is, you will almost certainly find something for your liking on Netflix, be that a romantic classic or a murder documentary series.
Netflix is not only great because its full of your old favorites, but because it continuously keeps releasing increasingly better content.
One of the most recent releases that took the world by storm and also set new records for the most-watched series in Netflixs history is Squid Game. Squid Game is classed as a South Korean survival drama and was written and directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk. This name may not sound familiar to you if you are not too involved within Korean TV, however, this series does not disappoint!
The story revolves around 456 people who are greatly in debt participating in a game show for the cash price of 45.6 billion South Korean Won, which is approximately equivalent to the US $38 million. I bet once you read this (and havent seen the series) you wished to have a similar game to take part in in your country. However, I promise you that this isnt the time that you want to make your resume stand out even if it may appear as the perfect job for former teachers.
Without any spoilers, all I can say is be careful about what you wish for as the truth and reality of the game may not be what you would anticipate it to be.
Squid Game is so exciting that its highly likely that you will watch it in one sitting. Only a week after its release it became one of Netflixs most-watched programs, attracting over 111 million viewers (even more than Bridgeton).
Another must watch new release is crime thriller film The Guilty, directed and produced by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jake Gyllenhaal. The film was available on Netflix from the 1st of October 2021 and despite not receiving the same reception as Squid Game, it is a movie that shows incredible amounts of passion and emotion.
The Guilty revolves around LAPD officer Joe Baylor’s night shift at an emergency call center. He receives a 911 call from a woman named Emily Lighton who is abducted by her partner and is in need of urgent police assistance.
Joe tries his best to assist the troubled woman, however, the police are facing serious complications when attempting to locate her. Soon after receiving Emilys phone call, Joe is also confronted by answering the phone to Emilys 6-year-old daughter at their family home.
The Guilty is an immensely exciting watch and is full of unexpected twists. So if you enjoy having an adrenaline rush from a movie and being constantly on the edge then this might be your next ideal watch!