1. Introduction: Exploring Discourses of Streaming Television’s Exceptionalism

This chapter delves into the intriguing dynamics of streaming television, revealing how platforms like Netflix and Peacock are breaking records with older TV series. It challenges the notion that streaming is a complete departure from traditional television, highlighting how these platforms still heavily rely on library content originally produced for linear TV. The text explores the discursive context of streaming's exceptionalism, examining how it is often portrayed as a revolutionary force that has fundamentally transformed television culture. It also investigates the ways in which streaming services are increasingly adopting traditional broadcast practices, such as weekly episode releases and ad-supported tiers. Through detailed case studies and industrial analysis, the chapter demonstrates the persistence of episodicity in contemporary television storytelling and the enduring influence of national television cultures on global streaming platforms. Ultimately, it argues that the transition to online television is a nuanced process that includes both innovation and continuity with the medium's traditions.