Driven by developments in technology, which have in turn driven significant and lasting changes in our lifestyle, entertainment today is unrecognisable from what it was a century ago. Discover how its changed over the decades, from mass-market passive entertainment to curated and often interactive experiences.
- Live events
Live entertainment is an enduring aspect of British culture, from early folk dancing to the world-class music, theatre and sports performances we enjoy today. In the 20th century, people enjoyed serious plays and classical music concerts alongside light-hearted sketches at variety shows and evenings at dance halls.
Even with all our technological advancements, nothing can replicate the feeling of seeing entertainment live. Being part of the crowd at a football match when your team wins or standing metres from your favourite artist at a festival as part of a likeminded community sharing the same emotions – nothing can beat it. That’s why live events continue to draw enormous crowds.
- Mass-audience broadcasts
In 1922, the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) made its first broadcast on the radio, with the first TV broadcast completed less than 15 years later. Crackly sound and wobbly black-and-white images were soon fine-tuned, and following WWII televisions became a mass-market item, the latest must-have for the home.
Today, 95% of homes in the UK have a television, and classic mass-broadcast formats like soap operas continue to draw massive audiences. However, younger generations are turning away from mainstream television in favour of on-demand streaming services, leaving the industry in danger of decline.
- On-demand streaming
Speaking of streaming services – when these launched in the early 21st century, they dominated. Video sharing sites engage all ages and cover all genres, growing so rapidly in the early years that they quickly became important marketing tools for businesses, who learned to perfect the 30-second advert. Subscription-based platforms provide instant access to television shows and films in a format that felt wildly convenient when first introduced. Forget having to stick to schedules or faff with video recording – instead, vast libraries of content are at our fingertips.
On-demand streaming continues to be a very popular form of entertainment, two decades later. For a set amount each month, we can access tv shows and films, uncountable songs, radio shows, podcasts, audiobooks and more – at any time. This flexibility suits modern lifestyles, letting us shape entertainment around our routines rather than the other way around. It also makes it easier to explore, access and understand the best entertainment from other cultures.
- Interactive entertainment
This century, as the internet has become integrated with almost every aspect of life, entertainment has become increasingly participatory. Social platforms enable interaction with friends without needing to be in a shared location. Video games can be played in teams, with every action helping to shape the narrative and overall outcome. Casual games like online slots and arcade games once limited to casinos can be accessed through smartphone apps for short bursts of entertainment on the go. And digital communities like forums let you find likeminded people to share your experiences with.
We’re no longer merely passive consumers of entertainment. We’re actively involved in shaping the story, mood and ultimate outcome. Even with content like films, algorithms are personalising recommendations, putting entertainment we’re likely to love in front of us before we’ve had time to consider what we want to watch.
- What the future holds
Entertainment will likely become even more personalised in the coming years. Artificial intelligence and enhanced mobile technology already influence how companies create and distribute content. Virtual reality equipment can transport us to anywhere in the world, at any time, while augmented reality capabilities transform reality, helping us find more entertainment in the experiences we have every day.
You can expect services to recommend programmes, games and live experiences with greater accuracy. At the same time, audiences may place even greater value on real-world experiences that offer genuine human connection. Often there are dramatic contrasts in trends when sudden changes take place. Achieving a balance between convenience and authenticity could be the next stage.
While technology will continue to evolve, the underlying goal remains remarkably consistent. People still seek enjoyment and shared experiences. The methods may change from decade to decade, but the reasons you turn to entertainment stay much the same.