Reflecting on this past year, it’s easy to let COVID-19 overshadow all our memories. But if there’s one silver lining to 2020, it’s been all the extra time to catch up on the shows and movies we’ve missed out on in previous years. Our laptops, TVs, and streaming services have helped us all out during this tough stretch, keeping us occupied and reducing stress.
As a result, the entertainment industry has gone into overdrive, trying to figure out new ways to create and deliver content to our homes, all while navigating pandemic restrictions and staying afloat financially.
Let’s look more closely at how COVID-19 has impacted the entertainment business and how things will look moving forward.
Live Music
Do you remember going to concerts and enjoying live music? It seems like so long ago, and many fans have endured this year deprived of their favorite local shows and big-time festivals. Some artists have managed to put together small outdoor concerts, but the public still hasn’t built up enough trust for large gatherings in this high-alert era.
Thankfully, many artists took the time in 2020 to develop creative new ways to reach out to fans via digital live performances, recreating some of the magic and keeping the hype alive.
Some artists took an “unplugged” approach to their music, making it more intimate and personal. Others tried more experimental live shows and encouraged audience participation.
Artists have no doubt drawn on their management teams to remain in the spotlight this year, with industry leaders like Three Six Zero’s Mark Gillespie carving out new creative opportunities for clients in this changing landscape.
Movies and Shows
It has been a tough go for movies and television shows in 2020. While consumption reached new heights, production stalled out, and many companies have struggled to stay above water.
Here are a few of the on-screen trends we’ve seen thus far:
- Movie theaters closed (some of them for good).
- Film and TV sets put on pause, with some cancellations.
- Streaming services have been the unsung heroes.
While some cities have seen theaters reopen, many of them remain boarded up as public health officials advise against indoor gatherings. It’s uncertain whether we’ll see theaters return to 100% capacity anytime soon, which is why blockbuster films are being streamed directly to home entertainment centers and computers.
As far as production goes, things have started to ramp back up, but cautiously. Many projects slated for 2020 or 2021 release have been pushed back at least a year or two, across the board.
Thanks to Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming platforms, we’ve had more than enough access to existing shows and films. Still, it will be interesting to see how the industry moves forward in terms of production and distribution amid restrictions and red tape.
Talk Shows
With no live studio audience and no in-person guests, talk shows have had to get creative in 2020, with mixed results.
- Most shows have suspended production.
- Some hosts have taken the shows into their own homes.
- Audience participation is taking place online.
Daytime hosts like Ellen have managed to create relaxed at-home experiences for viewers, bringing on guests over video chat and keeping things fairly normal.
On the other hand, late-night shows have struggled to retain that exciting studio atmosphere, and ratings have dipped as a result. Thankfully, some hosts are returning to the studio, and experimenting with different formats to keep things fresh.
Overall the entertainment industry has been hit hard by COVID-19, but there are both pros and cons to consider. There is a genuine hunger for new content in every segment, but Hollywood can’t seem to produce it fast enough. This will create opportunities for big breakthroughs.
In the music world, we see lots of exciting innovations, and that extra studio time never hurts, either. Hopefully, we’ll see a 100% return to normal before long.
