There are different modes of entertainment in the media form that have created enthusiasm in our minds and have made us big fans of theirs. The entertainment industry consists of films, short films, album songs, live telecasts, Television shows, radio, FM and much more. The TV series that have continuous episodes of different genres was the major source of entertainment for people of various age groups. The concept of binge-watching was not possible as the television series would only telecast a half an hour episode per day.
Though a lot of audiences of different age groups watched television series and loved the concept of watching one fresh episode per day. Sometimes people even got addicted to some shows and felt connected to some characters. But what if people could binge-watch all the episodes and know the well-hidden suspense of the show within the same day of starting the 1st episode? What if they could watch the next episodes in a streak? What if people could complete watching a series in a day or a week or maximum a month? These are not just possibilities but this is the reality that we are living today. The introduction of web series among people has created the most loved trend of binge-watching.
WHAT IS A WEB SERIES?
So in simple terms, a web series is merely like a TV show with a sequence of episodes but released through the internet over the OTT platforms. The concept of web series emerged in the mid-2010s. We can watch web series using different kinds of smart devices like desktops, laptops, tablets and even mobile phones through OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney Hotstar. In 2013, Netflix was the only OTT platform that had a web series in it and won the first primetime Emmy Award for it.
That is the point where people began watching web series where the wait for the next season excited them instead of the next episode. Unlike television shows with only dramatic themes, the web series explores different genres that ultimately attract all kinds of viewers. At present, there exists a separate category of award for the web series considering its huge popularity around the globe. Slowly, the web series took the entertainment industry to the next level. More than expected audiences indulged with much interest in binge-watching web series.
The web series also became a super hit because they are hugely relatable for teenagers. Teens never tend to watch television shows as they all have the same storyline and moreover, they are of a similar genre. But there exist a plethora of options in web series following different kinds of preferences and genres. But the Indian market that made a huge contribution to the growth of web series, is particularly fond of the crime-thriller-suspense genre. There are a lot of web shows based on reality-inspired crime such as Mirzapur, Delhi Crimes, Abhay, Sacred Games, etc.
Today, even film directors and actors/actresses with predominant names in the film industry are indulging in directing and working on web series these days. The web series require comparatively less expensive than the film industry, thanks to the internet. The online platform is open to all hence, young talents are outshining these days through their hard work. Many big names and talented people have entered this industry JSR production house which is situated in Dehradun is a big name which is taking the industry by turf.
One important thing that the web series has made possible is the elimination of dominance from the industry. The film industry was all about superstar artists and their never-ending stardom. But in the web series market, only artists with pure talent and hard work can be seen on-screen. In fact, those artists that possess a good amount of talent in acting and performing but didn’t get much exposure in films, are now creating their name through the web series. This is why, today we know names like Pankaj Tripathi, Kirti Kulhari, Pratik Gandhi, etc.
Another interesting fact about web series is that they portray the unexplored taboo topics very well on-screen. This has particularly made the whole internet community fall for web series.
Some must watch web series include:
SCAM 1992: not so dramatic neither much action, just the right amount of reality of stockbroker Harshad Mehta from the 90s era. This is a purely lovable show.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE – BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: it is a thriller – suspense show that explores the topic of domestic abuse in India. Well written and brilliantly performed, this is a much-watch web series.
THE VAMPIRE DIARIES: what if you live amid supernatural creatures who just behave like normal beings? This show merges reality, fantasy and imagination.
STRANGER THINGS: a story revolving around kids and scientists where a kid falls prey to the scientific experiment of the concept of a parallel world.