TV Outside the Box

Chapter 6

A New Spin on Established Genres

The digital television revolution’s new wave of invigorating TV series has shaken up the traditional formulas of “safe” linear programming. A fresh crop of shows has ushered in some of the best and most provocative storytelling beyond the imaginable, blurring the lines of established genres: comedy and drama, hero and antihero, fantasy and reality. We are in the era of the existential detective, the new anthology, extraordinary and alternative histories and trouble in paradise.

Foreshadowing the digital revolution, HBO and Showtime were first out of the gate, pushing the boundaries of storytelling and genre. What’s been unique about the experience of shows on the streaming networks is the binge view, ...