Streaming has opened up a whole world of possibilities in the realm of traditional television.

Streaming can be done from any location as long as you have access to WIFI or cell data. Streaming can be done from many different devices as well, not just a TV. Streaming gives the luxury of no commercials, your favorite show on demand, and the ability to pause, fast forward, and rewind.

Essentially streaming is TV on your terms–the first nail in the coffin of network television.

What do Ryan Murphy, Shonda Rhimes, Kenya Barris, and JJ Abrams all have in common? They are the major content creating, executive producing, show-running geniuses behind shows like American Horror Story, Glee, Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, Black-ish, Mixed-ish, Felicity, and Lost; all of which were/are major hitters for network TV. Deeper still what do these creative geniuses have in common? They have all left network TV for huge lucrative streaming deals.

Ryan Murphy has signed a reported 300 million dollar 5 year deal with Netflix. Netflix has already greenlit 10 of his projects. Murphy was tired of the creative struggle with network Fox and has found a new home with Netflix. Shonda Rhimes has also found a home with Netflix, leaving ABC after 15 years. This is just the tip of the iceberg for major creators leaving networks for more creative control and more money with streaming giants.

Now begs the question, how can network TV compete?

There are four reasons why network TV may still have a chance.

1. While these major content creators have taken monster deals with streaming services in lieu of continued contracts with their respective networks, they still have one foot on each side. Rhimes has Grey’s Anatomy and the spin-off Station 19 still firmly with ABC, as Ryan Murphy still has Pose on FX and the hit show 911 on FOX. Being able to keep these mega creators tied to existing projects may be a win for the networks.
2. Some creators may become disenchanted with the “streaming model” for their projects. For example, Netflix usually releases a season of a show at a time. Which means you binge watch it once, maybe twice, and then boom on to the next. How long does that show stay on viewer’s radars before the next must watch comes along?
3. Currently, there is a lack of “metrics” for how well shows are performing and who’s watching. Netflix has most recently added its top 10 feature, allowing viewers to see what’s being watched the most on Netflix. However, there are no metrics that allow creators and producers to see how their content is performing over time. In essence, there is currently no streaming equivalent to network TV ratings.
4. Lastly the pièce de résistance, syndication. With no metrics in place to tell creators how their shows are performing and with streaming services like Netflix having the propensity to cancel underperforming shows after a season or two, creators are not likely to reap the rewards of syndication heaven after a show has run its course.

Are these reasons enough? I guess only time will tell. They say in Hollywood, talent is a dime a dozen. Could streaming services snatching up mega talent just be making way for newcomers? The ways in which networks can and will continue to pivot will be interesting, and we’re all just along for the ride.

Keep the conversation going in the comments.