Binge-watchingTiger King, baking banana bread, bulk-buying toilet paper; 2020 has had its fair share of fads. Netflix’sThe Queen’s Gambitis establishing yet another: chess. As sales of chess sets soar, the series illustrates the powerful influence of fictional worlds over real-life consumer behavior.

Putting its own fun spin on a more buttoned-up past, Netflix’s Bridgerton series traces the adventures of young aristocrats as they search for love and marriage prospects. A high-production romp of a period piece, Bridgerton offers a welcome escape to pandemic-era boredom.

The markers of success have changed in China and although being married is still a desire for women, it is no longer the be-all and end-all of one's existence. Instead TV shows are forging a different narrative that prioritises career success, financial independence, and wealth.

Streaming services boomed during COVID-19 as people sought at-home entertainment to stave off boredom. Disney+ emerged as one of the biggest winners of 2020, but what does its success reveal about the future of viewing? And how do people want to engage with film and TV moving forward?