Instagram’s new TV app marks a strategic pivot toward bingeable, horizontal content, challenging YouTube’s dominance in creator-driven programming. Yet YouTube remains central, even as creators like Mark Rober and Good Mythical Morning expand onto Netflix and Hulu through syndication deals that boost visibility and revenue without replacing their home base. Platforms like Tubi are empowering creators with favorable profit splits, enabling sustainable careers. Meanwhile, Disney’s $1 billion investment in OpenAI signals a transformative approach to intellectual property—licensing beloved characters for AI-generated stories while protecting actor rights by excluding voice usage. This controlled openness could prevent the chaos seen in earlier digital disruptions, setting a precedent for ethical AI in entertainment. The future favors creators who think beyond posts and build full-fledged shows designed for the living room, where attention, revenue, and cultural impact increasingly converge.