Because of this, the economy has shifted. People don't pay for subscriptions; they are paid to watch. The most popular creators are effectively power plants. A viral video doesn't just make you famous; it literally keeps the lights on in your district.

MARCUS (Whispering) Wrong parameter. Laugh tracks are Tier 1 energy. Mark for retention.

This has forced legacy media to adapt. The Oscars now create "Fan Favorite" categories to compete with the MTV Movie Awards. Late-night talk shows survive on YouTube clips, not live viewership. Even printed newspapers have begun hiring "video producers" to create vertical content for Instagram Reels.