In 2013, television programs like “Good Luck Charlie,” “Phineas and Ferb,” “Shake It Up,” or “Gravity Falls” were on air, and children would watch these shows by pressing down a series of numbers on a remote; I remember mine being number 37 for the Disney Channel.
However, in recent months, the Disney Channel has stopped broadcasting in Brazil, France, and Spain in favor of Disney’s streaming service: Disney+. While the Disney Channel continues to broadcast in the United States, the television channel looks different than what it looked like 12 years ago.
Clinging to what the channel looked like over a decade ago, the Disney Channel has spun off the “Wizards of Waverly Place,” a show that follows the magical Russo family, with “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place,” a show that follows the next generation of Russos. This is a similar approach Disney has taken to remake or elaborate on its previously popular works, such as “The Lion King” (1994) and “Mufusa: The Lion King,” “Moana” and “Moana 2,” and its endless live-action remakes of princess movies.
Some people may sour at Disney for recycling its original works, but this concept has been used by the entertainment industry for a long time. The issue, I think, people take it with is its execution. For instance, ironically, “High School Musical’s” sequel, “High School Musical 2,” was more welcomed than “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.”
An influx of this practice can be accredited as people begin to consume their media through streaming services. These platforms try to generate a subscriber base by advertising television and movies that strike nostalgia in people.
While I think people may be frustrated or intimidated by this change, I think people should embrace it. Streaming services, like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and, of course, Disney+ offer more flexibility, variety, cost-effective, and convenient options than traditional cable television.
With these streaming services, you can watch select television and films whenever you would like without being tied to a broadcast schedule. Even now, I still do not know what 8/7c means. Also, without the constraints of a broadcast schedule, viewers can enjoy a wide array of television shows and movies they previously may not have been able to access.
Additionally, users have the convenience of enjoying these services outside of the television screen from their personal devices, such as a cell phone, laptop, or tablet. Streaming services also have a minimal monthly payment compared to a cable bill. This cost can be further reduced for college students as streaming services offer student discounts.
While the landscape in which people consume television has changed, this process is normal for the industry. Luckily, everyone can still access their favorite shows and movies, past or present, through the new norm: streaming services.
Dylan Campbell is a Dakota Student Section Editor. He can be reached at dylan.campbell@und.edu.