The Future of Watching

Distribution technology has always shaped content:

• Jaws invented the blockbuster model focused on opening weekends
• Star Wars proved merchandise and IP could matter more than the film itself
• Home video created a safety net that enabled mid-budget risk-taking
• Streaming replaced per-view economics with subscriber retention metrics
• The theatrical experience is no longer the default but a premium option

How you watch determines what gets made. When the theater was the only option, films had to justify leaving your house. Streaming only needs to justify not pressing the back button.