Even in the pre-history, people weren’t hunting, gathering, or even herding all the time. Most of the day, when their daily ordeals were over, they had one question in mind – how to kill time the most effectively. This was always a problem, and people evolved their means of entertainment every time the technology advanced.
After the invention of the printing press, people read far more than ever before. Then, when the radio came, everyone tuned in. Television marked the next step in the field of entertainment, but today, we live in the age of the Internet.
Here are the five new ways people consume content in the age of the internet.
- Listening to podcasts
Podcasts are an incredible format. They’re usually much more conversational in nature (as opposed to formal interviews), and they provide hours and hours of content for anyone interested.
The reason why they’re so great is because they can be incredibly immersive for the listener. Just think about it: when you get lost in the conversation enough, you’ll feel like you’re in the studio with them. In fact, if this is done right, it won’t even feel like it’s a studio, but someone’s living room or a bar.
The guests vary, and, as we’ve already said, it will feel like you’re sitting with a nuclear physicist, a military veteran, or your favorite actor in the same room, listening to their personal story.
One more incredible thing about podcasts is the fact that they don’t require your full attention. You can play them while you’re working out, commuting to work, or doing dishes. This is why people consume approximately 6.5 hours every week.
It’s also incredibly easy to get started in the world of podcasts. Sure, great equipment would boost the quality of the recording, but this is really optional. All you need is a microphone and an interesting topic. That’s it. This potential is appealing to a lot of people.
- Watching streamers
How can people watch others play video games? Well, how can they watch others play sports? There’s really not that much of a difference. In fact, with the emergence of eSports, it’s literally the same thing. Regardless if you consider eSports to be real sports or not, the concept is the same.
Not all streamers are gamers, and even those that are aren’t exclusively gaming. Since 2016, political streaming on platforms like Twitch and YouTube has become huge, and more and more audiences tuned in to listen.
If you go to Twitch and check out the “Just Chatting” section, you’ll see some incredible numbers. In other words, being a streamer and streaming has transcended the gaming world and has become something far more.
It’s also worth mentioning that while Twitch was a titan of this field for a long time, the competition is getting tough now. Platforms like Kick are seriously threatening to dethrone it, while YouTube and X (formerly Twitter) are getting more and more serious when it comes to streaming. Then, there’s Rumble and a number of other platforms that are making this field more competitive.
The majority of streamers, however, are present on a multitude of platforms and have active communities that are working hard to provide their members with UGC.
- Streaming services
What about the other kind of streaming? We’re talking about streaming services like Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Amazon Prime, etc. This has revolutionized modern movies and shows, with a lot of them going live on these platforms almost simultaneously as they air on mainstream television channels and in cinemas.
Sure, some of these services have geo-restrictions, but there are a lot of VPN apps that are used for streaming, which can help you bypass this.
Now, it’s not all sunshine and roses in this field. One of the biggest complaints is that this is no longer as convenient as it once was. Why? Well, mostly because there are so many streaming services, and you can never catch which show is available where.
The main reason why Netflix rose to such stellar popularity was because it was the first, and it was all there. People paid, not because they hated piracy, but because it was simple and convenient. You just pay $7 or $11, and you can watch it all for the whole month.
It’s just not that simple anymore. Still, even paying for a few subscriptions can be worth it when you take a different perspective on this subject matter. Namely, try to calculate how many hours you spend watching and binging, and be honest about whether it’s worth it.
- Reading blogs
Blogs generate incredible value for their readers and bloggers, as well. Reading blogs is a great way to pass the time, but it’s also a way to learn something interesting.
You see, one of the first things you should do as a professional in any field, or even a person passionate about a specific interest/hobby or even a local community, is find a blog dedicated to it. This is the way to get informed.
As a real estate investor, the best way to get ahead is to subscribe to a newsletter or a blog dedicated to real estate and follow all the latest trends and news. You see, blogging is a hard job, and it’s a full-time job. Coming up with topics is not easy, especially topics that people are interested in. Therefore, an editor simply cannot afford not to cover this latest burning topic.
It’s also a great way to start the day. You see, there are a lot of people who have their morning or evening rituals. Reading the latest post can be a part of this ritual. Some blogs have an amazing editorial calendar, which means that you’ll know exactly when and where to find the latest post.
- Consuming YouTube content
Consuming YouTube content is one of the most common and most time-consuming forms of entertainment. Everyone’s on YouTube but now, it’s not just a video uploading station but a streaming platform as well (one of the biggest).
The biggest problem with YouTube is just how easy it is to get lost in it. Let’s say you’re working from home and have some work to do. Therefore, watching a movie is out of the question – you don’t have two hours to sit around and do nothing. Still, what’s the harm in watching a YouTube video, or the next, or the next? Before you know it, the night has fallen, and you’ve done no work.
On YouTube, you can find literally anything, from your favorite movie scenes and crazy fan theories all the way to videos covering historical topics and the world’s greatest mysteries. Once the algorithm figures you out, it will serve one video after another that you deeply care about.
Content formats are evolving with time.
Content will always adjust to the medium it’s delivered through. The thing with the internet is that it’s so diverse and flexible that it allows for multiple different formats to evolve and thrive. Also, the global population is greater than ever before, and the majority have access to the internet, which makes the current situation unprecedented in history.
The 10 Best Mobile VPN Apps in 2024