How TV and video content reflect and shape societal trends
TV and video content do more than entertain – they participate in a powerful cultural feedback loop. What society values, questions, or fears often finds its way into the content we consume.
In turn, that content influences public opinion, behaviour and culture. This dynamic exchange between media and society is constant and evolving, with creators and audiences shaping each other in real time.
Below is a breakdown of how TV and video content both reflect and shape societal trends.
Reflecting societal trends
TV and video often serve as a mirror to society, revealing what we care about, what we're debating and how our identities are shifting.
Real-world issues in storytelling: Contemporary storytelling often draws from real-world concerns. Documentaries and dramas address urgent issues – When They See Us explores systemic racism and police brutality, while Taare Zameen Par sheds light on mental health and learning disabilities. These stories echo public discourse and deepen social awareness.
Generational trends and digital culture: The rise of YouTube, TikTok and other participatory platforms reflects a shift toward democratised media. Audiences no longer just consume content – they create it. This shift mirrors our culture's move toward individual expression, authenticity and instant connection.
Shaping societal trends
While content reflects society, it also actively shapes it – guiding how we think, what we value and how we behave.
Setting norms and aspirations: TV shows influence cultural expectations and lifestyle choices. Sex and the City, for instance, redefined urban single life and consumer culture for an entire generation. Home renovation shows influence how people view personal space and home-ownership.
Language, fashion and pop aesthetics: TV and video are major trendsetters. Catchphrases, fashion styles and makeup looks often go viral after appearing in a popular series. Shows such as Euphoria and Stranger Things have shaped youth fashion, music and visual culture across social platforms.
Shaping political and social perspectives: Satirical news programmes such as The Daily Show or Last Week Tonight don't just entertain – they inform and persuade. They help frame political events for a younger, often more sceptical audience. Meanwhile, political dramas such as House of Cards influence public perception of government and leadership.
Feedback loop between media and society
In today's digital world, the relationship between media and society is more interactive than ever. Audiences are no longer passive viewers – they're active participants.
Real-time reactions and content evolution: Social media has revolutionised how audiences respond to content. Viewer feedback – whether praise, critique, or backlash – reaches creators instantly. This immediacy has led to real-time adjustments in casting, storytelling and tone.
Influence of social movements: Movements such as #MeToo and Black Lives Matter have directly affected the media landscape. Networks and studios are rethinking representation, investing in inclusive narratives and prioritising authentic voices to reflect societal calls for justice and equality.
Demand for authenticity and representation: Audiences demand content that feels real and inclusive. This push has led to diverse casts, culturally sensitive writing and collaborations with underrepresented creators. Media now responds not just to market trends, but to ethical and cultural imperatives.
Media as a cultural force
TV and video content are cultural artifacts and engines of change. They both document and shape the identities, ideologies and dreams of society.
As digital platforms and global audiences grow, so does the speed and scale of this feedback loop.
What we see on screen doesn't just reflect who we are – it helps define who we're becoming.
By Prasad S. Amin, CEO, Integrated Advertising Services (IAS MEDIA)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Post
a day ago
- Arabian Post
TikTok Eliminates #SkinnyTok Amid Mounting Pressure Over Harmful Diet Content
TikTok has removed the hashtag #SkinnyTok from its platform, responding to escalating concerns over content promoting extreme weight loss and disordered eating behaviours. Users searching for the term are now redirected to resources offering support for body image and eating disorders. The decision follows sustained scrutiny from European regulators, particularly in France, where officials have criticised the platform for enabling the spread of content that glamorises unhealthy body standards. Clara Chappaz, France's Minister for Digital Affairs, characterised the removal as a 'collective victory' and reiterated her commitment to safeguarding minors online. TikTok stated that the hashtag had become associated with content violating its community guidelines by promoting dangerous dieting practices, including extreme calorie restriction and excessive water consumption. Although the platform had previously attempted to mitigate exposure by restricting such content to users over 18 and adjusting search suggestions, many harmful videos continued to circulate. ADVERTISEMENT The platform has faced criticism for featuring influencers like Liv Schmidt, who promoted these dangerous practices. Her content was eventually removed after media scrutiny, and she later lost her monetisation privileges on Instagram as well. Despite the removal of the hashtag, concerns persist. Typing 'SkinnyTok' into the app now redirects users to wellness advice, but similar harmful content still thrives under altered or misspelled hashtags. Advocates argue that while the ban is a positive step, it is insufficient to address the broader issue of harmful content on the platform. TikTok's actions come amid a broader push by the European Union to hold social media platforms accountable for harmful content. The European Commission has been investigating TikTok's risk management of addictive design and harmful content since February 2024. The platform's decision to ban #SkinnyTok may be seen as an effort to demonstrate compliance with regulatory expectations. Experts warn that the proliferation of content promoting disordered eating on social media platforms like TikTok can have serious consequences for young users' mental health. Studies have shown that exposure to such content can lead to increased body dissatisfaction and a higher risk of developing eating disorders. Health professionals emphasise the need for more robust content moderation and greater awareness of the dangers posed by these online communities.
Campaign ME
2 days ago
- Campaign ME
How TV and video content reflect and shape societal trends
TV and video content do more than entertain – they participate in a powerful cultural feedback loop. What society values, questions, or fears often finds its way into the content we consume. In turn, that content influences public opinion, behaviour and culture. This dynamic exchange between media and society is constant and evolving, with creators and audiences shaping each other in real time. Below is a breakdown of how TV and video content both reflect and shape societal trends. Reflecting societal trends TV and video often serve as a mirror to society, revealing what we care about, what we're debating and how our identities are shifting. Real-world issues in storytelling: Contemporary storytelling often draws from real-world concerns. Documentaries and dramas address urgent issues – When They See Us explores systemic racism and police brutality, while Taare Zameen Par sheds light on mental health and learning disabilities. These stories echo public discourse and deepen social awareness. Generational trends and digital culture: The rise of YouTube, TikTok and other participatory platforms reflects a shift toward democratised media. Audiences no longer just consume content – they create it. This shift mirrors our culture's move toward individual expression, authenticity and instant connection. Shaping societal trends While content reflects society, it also actively shapes it – guiding how we think, what we value and how we behave. Setting norms and aspirations: TV shows influence cultural expectations and lifestyle choices. Sex and the City, for instance, redefined urban single life and consumer culture for an entire generation. Home renovation shows influence how people view personal space and home-ownership. Language, fashion and pop aesthetics: TV and video are major trendsetters. Catchphrases, fashion styles and makeup looks often go viral after appearing in a popular series. Shows such as Euphoria and Stranger Things have shaped youth fashion, music and visual culture across social platforms. Shaping political and social perspectives: Satirical news programmes such as The Daily Show or Last Week Tonight don't just entertain – they inform and persuade. They help frame political events for a younger, often more sceptical audience. Meanwhile, political dramas such as House of Cards influence public perception of government and leadership. Feedback loop between media and society In today's digital world, the relationship between media and society is more interactive than ever. Audiences are no longer passive viewers – they're active participants. Real-time reactions and content evolution: Social media has revolutionised how audiences respond to content. Viewer feedback – whether praise, critique, or backlash – reaches creators instantly. This immediacy has led to real-time adjustments in casting, storytelling and tone. Influence of social movements: Movements such as #MeToo and Black Lives Matter have directly affected the media landscape. Networks and studios are rethinking representation, investing in inclusive narratives and prioritising authentic voices to reflect societal calls for justice and equality. Demand for authenticity and representation: Audiences demand content that feels real and inclusive. This push has led to diverse casts, culturally sensitive writing and collaborations with underrepresented creators. Media now responds not just to market trends, but to ethical and cultural imperatives. Media as a cultural force TV and video content are cultural artifacts and engines of change. They both document and shape the identities, ideologies and dreams of society. As digital platforms and global audiences grow, so does the speed and scale of this feedback loop. What we see on screen doesn't just reflect who we are – it helps define who we're becoming. By Prasad S. Amin, CEO, Integrated Advertising Services (IAS MEDIA)
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Director RS Prasanna says 'Sitaare Zameen Par' is an 'honest film'
Director RS Prasanna has shared his excitement and insights about his upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par, which stars Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan and actress Genelia Deshmukh in the lead. The film, set to release on June 20, 2025, has already generated buzz, especially after the release of its trailer in May. Sitaare Zameen Par is a sequel to Khan's 2007 film Taare Zameen Par. The film faced criticism for perceived similarities with the international film Champions, a remake of the Spanish drama Campeones. Yet, Prasanna remains confident in his film's unique approach and powerful message. "... the core emotion comes from Taare Zameen Par. The thought and the mindset began with that film," he said. "Hopefully, this picture will take that thought and mindset in a new direction." The director revealed how the idea of Sitaare Zameen Par came about, recounting a personal memory from 2007 when Aamir Khan won the Best Debut Director award for Taare Zameen Par. "As we began pre-production, I kept referencing Taare Zameen Par," he shared, adding, "Aamir Sir and I often discussed scenes from that film. One day, he suggested that we view Sitaare Zameen Par as an extension of that emotion. It was a natural progression." Sitaare Zameen Par casts actors with special needs, including individuals with Down's syndrome and autism. "...They're the true heroes of this film," he said. "We couldn't have made this film without them." The director elaborated on the challenges and joys of working with these exceptional actors. "It was not difficult to direct them. They were the ones who directed us," Prasanna admitted, adding, "They taught us how to interact with them. All we needed to do was guide them on technical aspects like camera angles and lighting. Their acting was natural, real, and powerful. They made the set a better place." Prasanna also highlighted the role of casting directors Tess Joseph and Anmol Ahuja in the lengthy audition process, which included over 2,500 auditions and workshops. Prasanna was all praise for Aamir Khan, describing him as not just a star but also an ideal collaborator. "There is something called Aamir magic," the director said. The film, scheduled to release on June 20, 2025, follows the story of a basketball coach who works with a group of individuals with intellectual disabilities. ANI
