Our thinking

Changing channels

7 March, 2025

Ever think about how the TV you watch shapes the way you see the world? We’ve long been great believers in the power of narrative media as a level of behaviour change and a way to shape norms. Which is why we were particularly interested in a recent NY Times article which poses and an important question: has TV lost its ability to influence society the way it once did?  

For decades TV has played a pivotal role in pushing social change by introducing characters and storylines that challenge norms and encourage acceptance. Back when everyone tuned into the same shows, cultural touchstones like “Will and Grace” and “EastEnders” brought people together, fuelling water cooler conversations the morning after and becoming catalysts for change on areas such as LGBTQ rights and domestic violence. 

Fast forward to 2025, and the landscape looks different. While there’s a noticeable increase in the representation of transgender characters and storylines, such as through Amazon Prime’s new series “Clean Slate”, transgender rights are facing setbacks. The rise of streaming platforms and algorithm-driven recommendations has made it harder for these voices to break into the mainstream. Now viewers must actively seek out content or hope the algorithm surfaces it. And with binge-watching culture at the forefront, weekly releases, once a staple of office chat, are becoming a rarity. Shows no longer have the time to simmer in the public consciousness, the next big thing quickly pushes the previous one out of the conversation. 

But some shows still manage to spark lasting conversations and interestingly, they tend to be the ones that stick to the traditional weekly release model. Think “The White Lotus” or “The Traitors”: their ability to keep audiences engaged week after week is a reminder that, despite all the changes, TV is still a powerful tool in shaping how we view the world around us. 

The question now isn’t whether TV can still influence society, it’s about how we navigate the changing media landscape to ensure important conversations don’t get lost in the noise. 

By Meg Seckel