The original post: /r/television by /u/ninjapapi on 2025-10-22 08:43:23.
Love watching shows with friends because discussing character decisions and predicting outcomes is half the fun. But ultimately our debates are just entertainment for ourselves, they don’t affect anything.
Someone makes stupid decision, we yell at screen, discuss what they should’ve done instead, story continues regardless. Our analysis and predictions are just us talking about something we can’t influence.
Started wondering why TV is still 100% predetermined when technology enables participation. Streaming platforms could do interactive elements, viewers could vote on story decisions, community input could affect outcomes.
Black Mirror did Bandersnatch but that was individual choices, not community decision making. What if shows had voting periods between episodes where viewers collectively decide what happens next?
The technology clearly exists. Some formats are already doing this. So why is television stuck in passive consumption model when audiences clearly enjoy participating?
Maybe it’s production logistics? Can’t film multiple versions? But animation or certain formats could work. Or make smaller scale shows designed for interaction rather than trying to retrofit existing formats.
Am I alone wanting more agency in TV or do others wish their watch party debates actually mattered?