The Golden Age of Scripted TV: A Decade of Transformation

Despite the traditional TV model—live TV, broadcast, and cable—being under severe pressure from streaming services and changing media consumption habits in recent years, many argue that the past decade has been the golden age of TV. This era is particularly noted for the explosion of high-quality scripted TV series that have garnered unprecedented attention, critical acclaim, and appreciation.

Not long ago, it was uncommon to see established, successful Hollywood actors in major TV series roles. “TV actor” was often a derogatory term, suggesting someone who had failed to make a significant impact on the big screen. However, this perception has drastically changed. High-budget productions like HBO’s “Game of Thrones” and Netflix’s “Stranger Things” have arguably captured more attention than most Hollywood blockbusters. TV acting has shed its former stigma and has become a prestigious gig that many Hollywood stars now seek.

The rise in the esteem of TV drama, coupled with an insatiable consumer appetite for new content, has led to a significant increase in the production of original scripted TV content over the past decade. The entrance of deep-pocketed streaming-only players such as Netflix, Amazon, and Apple has further fueled this growth. According to estimates by FX Networks Research, the number of original scripted TV series aired in the United States soared from 216 in 2010 to 600 by 2022, marking a period now widely referred to as “peak TV.”

However, the year 2022 also marked a turning point. The number of shows on TV declined by 14 percent to 516 last year, influenced by the Hollywood writers’ strike and a shift in focus from growth at all costs to profitability. FX chairman John Landgraf, a prominent voice in the TV industry, predicted this trend, suggesting that 2022 would be “the peak of the peak TV era.” In August 2022, Landgraf explained, “I don’t see new major purveyors of programming entering the scene as they have been continuously over the past decade or more. In fact, there are some prior purveyors of television programming that are kind of exiting the scenes. So, in other words, you’re at the point now where you’re not really adding new suppliers, but you are, to some extent, subtracting suppliers.”

The shift reflects a maturing industry, where the explosive growth phase is giving way to a more stabilized environment focused on quality and sustainability. While the golden age of scripted TV may be evolving, its impact on the entertainment landscape is undeniable. The past decade has transformed TV from a secondary medium to a primary platform for high-quality, compelling storytelling, attracting top talent from across the entertainment industry. As the landscape continues to evolve, audiences can look forward to a future where quality over quantity prevails, ensuring that the golden age of TV leaves a lasting legacy.