Netflix changed everything. Initially a library aggregator, they realized that to survive, they had to own their content. Their production strategy is "throw everything at the wall." This has resulted in global phenomena like Stranger Things (nostalgia horror), Squid Game (a Korean drama that became the most-watched show in 94 countries), and The Crown (a lavish royal biopic). Netflix productions are data-driven; they greenlight shows based on what viewers actually watch, not just what critics like. Their film division, led by Red Notice and Glass Onion, prioritizes stars and high-concept hooks over auteur vision.

Home of the Jurassic World dinosaurs, Fast & Furious family, and Despicable Me minions, Universal is the king of the "four-quadrant" movie (films that appeal to men, women, old, and young). Furthermore, their partnership with the horror specialists at Blumhouse Productions (responsible for M3GAN, The Black Phone, Five Nights at Freddy’s) has revitalized the low-budget, high-profit horror genre. Universal also operates the most successful theme parks outside of Disney, directly linking their productions to physical entertainment.

Jeff Bezos famously said he wanted to find the "next Game of Thrones." That led to The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, the most expensive television production in history. Amazon’s philosophy is different: they use Prime Video as a loss-leader to sell toilet paper and diapers. Consequently, their productions (like Reacher, The Boys, and Fallout) aim for broad, male-skewing, IP-driven audiences. Their acquisition of MGM gave them the James Bond franchise, a crown jewel they have yet to fully deploy.