How Streaming Elevated (and Ruined) Documentaries: A Statistical Analysis

Data journalist Daniel Parris explores how streaming platforms have transformed documentaries from niche projects devoid of funding into mainstream entertainment. This development is financially welcomed for documentary filmmakers, as the genre is now in high demand. However, renewed investment comes with trade-offs, as distributors increasingly prioritize content with mass appeal, built-in fanbases, and episodic formats. While documentaries are more popular than ever, this emphasis on marketability over depth and originality erodes the genre’s prestige.