In an escapism-prone world, period dramas are so well-supplied that Netflix dedicates an entire section to them. But 19th-century romanceBridgertonhas captured attention in spades – not for its costumes and plotlines, but for its ability to give bingeable melodrama an air of cultural critique..

The COVID-19 pandemic has threatened physical and mental health while fuelling economic and political instability. To escape this chaos, many people have sought comfort in nostalgic TV shows and films – but do they only want reruns? Can reboots of old favourites offer the same sense of escape?

Students who subscribe to Apple Music are now getting free access to Apple TV+, with both services costing $4.99 a month. With subscription fatigue growing among consumers, brands that incentivise sign-ups for young people on a budget have the potential to gain more users and build loyalty.

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?