: Successful franchises (Marvel, Star Wars) span films, games, books, and theme parks.
Historically, popular media was a "one-to-many" model. A film studio, television network, or record label held the keys to the kingdom, acting as the gatekeeper of culture. This era created shared, monocultural moments; families gathered around a single television set to watch the same broadcast, creating a unified national conversation. While this era produced iconic moments of unity, it also limited the diversity of voices, often marginalizing stories that did not fit the mainstream mold. Entertainment was a destination—an event one attended or a specific time one waited for. kama+oxi+angelo+godshack+original+2024+xxx+72
Abundance of choice, but rising fragmentation and fatigue. Quality still exists, but discovery is harder than ever. : Successful franchises (Marvel, Star Wars) span films,