Television has been on a rollercoaster ride in recent years, facing numerous challenges and changes. The pandemic, the Hollywood writers' strike, and the financial struggles of streamers have all taken their toll. But despite the turmoil, the industry has shown remarkable resilience and adaptability. In 2024, we saw a shift in the landscape, with television returning to its roots and focusing on more intimate and character-driven stories.

Unpredictable Television in a Changing Landscape

Television's Pandemic-Paced Struggles

Television has been buffeted by the pandemic for several years, with streamers like Disney and Paramount racking up thumping losses despite ploughing billions into their services. This has led to a trimming of sails and a shift in focus. The story of 2024 has been one of television getting smaller after the blockbuster arms race of the past half-decade. 1: The pandemic has had a profound impact on the television industry. Streaming services that once seemed unstoppable have been forced to re-evaluate their strategies and cut costs. Disney and Paramount are just two examples of companies that have struggled to turn a profit in the face of declining viewership and increased competition. 2: This has led to a more cautious approach from television producers and networks. Instead of focusing on big-budget blockbusters, they are now looking for more niche and targeted audiences. This has led to a resurgence in smaller, more intimate shows that focus on character development and storytelling.

Unexpected Hits and Surprises

In the midst of this turmoil, there have been some unexpected hits and surprises. Shogun (Disney+) broke all the rules as a largely non-English-language adaptation of an unfashionable 50-year-old novel about Byzantine politics in 17th-century feudal Japan. It proved to be a ratings smash and an enormous critical success, earning a record 18 Emmy nominations. 1: Baby Reindeer (Netflix) was another surprise hit. Richard Gadd's dramatisation of his days as a struggling comedian and his experience of being stalked was not expected to be a success, but viewers were captivated by its gritty realism and emotional depth. 2: These unexpected hits show that there is still a demand for high-quality television that tells unique and engaging stories. They also demonstrate that television is not always predictable and that there are opportunities for new and innovative shows to succeed.

The Franchise Wars and Their Casualties

The franchise wars were a bloodbath in 2024. The Disney steamroller has slowed to a crawl, with its Star Wars and Marvel franchises clocking up just two new live-action shows apiece. None made much of an impact, even if Kathryn Hahn's occasionally charming Marvel spin-off Agatha All Along reversed the dire plunge in quality afflicting the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 1: House of the Dragon, HBO/Sky Atlantic's Game of Thrones brand extension, also struggled. Its second batch of episodes fizzled out, skimping on the big battle that it had been building towards for two years. This was a sign that even the biggest franchises can struggle in a changing television landscape. 2: Prime Video's Rings of Power also failed to live up to expectations. Its grim return to Middle-earth was an insult to Tolkien and the fantasy genre, and it failed to capture the magic of the original books.

Irish Television in 2024: A Mixed Bag

Irish television had a mixed year in 2024. Colin Farrell had an up-and-down year, excelling in Apple's noir thriller Sugar but then being let down by a bizarre plot twist. The 2 Johnnies Late Night Lock In was a disappointment, with its re-creation of the banter-in-a-boozer format feeling outdated. 1: On the other hand, there were some bright spots. Say Nothing, a Tarantino-esque adaptation of Patrick Radden Keefe's nonfiction book, was a riveting showcase for a new generation of Irish acting talent. It may have faced legal challenges, but it was a powerful and moving story. 2: The Traitors on the BBC became a reality-television sensation and will likely lead to an Irish version in 2025. This shows that there is still a demand for high-quality reality shows that can capture the imagination.

International Successes and Misses

Looking beyond Ireland, there were some international successes and misses. Prime Video's adaptation of the Fallout video games was a surprising blast, capturing the satirical edge of the source material. Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement's reboot of Terry Gilliam's Time Bandits was a charming show that was unfortunately cancelled too soon. 1: These shows demonstrate that there is still a global appetite for high-quality television that can transcend borders and cultures. They also show that television is a constantly evolving medium that is capable of surprising and delighting audiences. 2: However, not all international shows were successful. Netflix's Bodkin was a toe-curling comedy-thriller that failed to live up to expectations. It was a reminder that even the biggest names in television can produce duds.

The Future of Television

If there's a lesson to be learned from 2024, it's that the glory days of streaming are over. Most of Netflix's rivals have slashed budgets, and in several cases they've given up trying to compete with the market leader. 1: But television is not dead. It has never been more unpredictable, and that is where the excitement will lie in 2025. As television continues to evolve, we can expect to see more innovative and engaging shows that push the boundaries of what is possible. 2: Whether it's through smaller, more intimate stories or big-budget blockbusters, television will always have a place in our lives. And as long as there are talented producers and writers out there, we can look forward to many more years of exciting television to come.