How Technology Has Revolutionized Entertainment

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PwC’s Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2022-2026 report estimates that the global entertainment and media (E&M) sector enjoyed a revenue of $2.34 trillion in 2021. Technology’s growth and advancement have undoubtedly helped several people and sectors worldwide in many different areas. The entertainment industry is one of the main sectors that has enjoyed a paradigm shift thanks to technology. Indeed, technology has improved entertainment in many ways, making it a far cry from what it used to look like a decade or two ago. Here’s how technology has revolutionised the entertainment industry.

1. The transformation of music

Music is one of the areas of entertainment that technology has reshaped heavily. As such, it is challenging to compare today’s music industry to that of 30 or 40 years ago. For starters, technology has altered how music is made or produced. Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software has arguably been the most significant game-changer in music production, allowing all kinds of musicians to write, record, and produce songs of reasonable quality. DAW platforms like Apple’s Logic Pro or Avid Pro Tools allow musicians to edit over 100 audio tracks simultaneously, adjusting timing and pitch and including endless effects. 

Furthermore, Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) now ensures that musicians no longer need to bring in a complete brass band to get the right effect on their tracks. Songwriters can compose their arrangements using music production software and synthesizers. This way, they have more creative freedom and can work with instruments they ordinarily could not have due to access or proficiency barriers.

In addition, if you are old enough, you likely remember having to buy CDs and cassette tapes before being able to enjoy music. Thanks to your bulky home stereo system, you could only enjoy music from these sources at home. However, technology has made cassettes and CDs a thing of the past since you can readily download or stream music. With an excellent 4G internet connection, you can enjoy numerous genres and styles of music anywhere through digital streaming services like Soundcloud, Spotify, and YouTube. Also, musicians can upload their music with a simple click and promote their songs to individuals worldwide without a record label or distributor’s help. These technologies take music out of record labels’ hands and place them more directly in the hands of musicians, allowing them to enjoy immense success if they are great at self-promotion. Still, instant streaming comes with the downside of musicians earning less money from the music, a battle that the industry continues battling.

2. Changes in movie production and consumption

There is no denying that the technology of Hollywood and television has evolved over the years. Many concepts have been brought to life through the widespread use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) effects and sound. Blockbuster movies such as Black Panther, Avengers Endgame, Transformers, The Dark Knight, and Lord of the Rings were all shot using CGI effects. It is safe to say that none of these films would be anywhere near the masterpieces they are without CGI, so we have modern technology to thank for that. CGI has become so popular, and RenderThat estimates that the total revenue in America for movies with CGI, animation, and 3D effects was $5.87 billion in 2018.

It’s also worth mentioning that technology has changed the distribution and consumption of film. For decades, people had to rent VHS or DVDs from rental stores or buy channel bundles from cable providers to enjoy the latest TV shows or reruns. In addition, there were fewer movie options since the only available alternatives were movie theater releases or low-budget made-for-television films. However, everything changed when Netflix entered the film market in the late 1990s, promoting itself as the first online DVD rental store. Netflix quickly launched an online video streaming service as internet speeds and computers became faster in the late 2000s.

By the 2010s, the platform had established itself as a key force in the entertainment sector, and everyone was eager to replicate its success. Along came platforms like Amazon, Hulu, and HBO, and even major media networks and companies like NBC And Disney have launched their streaming services. Therefore, many people have abandoned their conventional cable for streaming services, allowing them to enjoy more content. Platforms like Hulu make movies and TV series more accessible, which is ideal for individuals willing to binge-watch content. You can watch Hulu on many devices and read more about canceling your subscription when necessary.

3. Better video games and the rise of esports

Video games have been around since 1950. Nevertheless, they only became mainstream in the ’70s and ’80s due to arcades and the onset of home gaming. Like the casino industry, the video game sector started flourishing in the ’90s, thanks to widespread home internet access. Home gaming also improved due to handheld consoles and PC and TV gaming advancements. However, gaming entered its golden age in the 2000s and 2010s. Technological strides during this period saw the enhancement of graphics and storytelling in games. In addition, mobile gaming became widespread, and many innovative gadgets and consoles hit the market. 

Cloud gaming technology also revolutionized the gaming experience for many. Presently, it has evolved into services like Playstation Now that allow gamers to access hundreds of games for a fixed fee instead of buying them separately. As such, it has a similar concept to Hulu, Netflix, or HBO Max, but for gaming. Many experts predict that cloud gaming subscription services are how all games will be accessed in the future. Finally, esports has become popular due to advances in internet technology, allowing fans to observe and participate in their favorite esports via digital streaming platforms like Twitch.

4. Social media and the proliferation of amateur content

A reported 58.4% of the world’s population uses social media, making it a key source of entertainment for billions of individuals. Better entertainment devices like laptops and phones now allow users to consume and produce, and many people produce content to varying degrees. People have been producing unique content for a long time, but social media gives them a unique chance to share their creativity with the world. Therefore, anyone can share an engaging video and go viral, making the doors to the entertainment industry more accessible. As such, being famous isn’t as challenging as it was some years back, and modern-day social media superstars like Tiktok sensation Khaby Lame are excellent proof of this.

Furthermore, Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) now ensures that musicians no longer need to bring in a complete brass band to get the right effect on their tracks. Songwriters can compose their arrangements using music production software and synthesizers. This way, they have more creative freedom and can work with instruments they ordinarily could not have due to access or proficiency barriers.

Equipment used for music production has gotten smaller and more portable over time too. With the company nature of musical gadgets, musicians can practically slip their essentials into their pockets, or at least an easily manageable bag. A simple MIDI foot controller gives musicians full control over customizing their music on the go. Features such as mobile apps mean that they can work on their music whenever and wherever they want. All of this technology has become more affordable too, so it’s more accessible than ever.