Ever since everything went digital, there has been much greater competition for space, and so much more to keep up with for the average Joe. Back when there were a limited number of TV channels and the cinema was the only place you could catch the latest – or even any – films, there wasn’t much of a fear of missing out when it came to media.
Nowadays, though, with an ever-increasing number of streaming services vying for your attention, and a media landscape that places the onus on choice and quantity, it can be easy to miss the next big thing. If you don’t have Apple TV, you might have missed Severance and Ted Lasso, and if you aren’t a Netflix subscriber, you may not know who the mystery cyber bully is in Unknown Caller.
So what are the best ways to keep on top of this constantly changing media landscape, making sure to catch all of the hottest TV, film, music, and gaming?
Check Services Yourself Proactively
The first tip could be the simplest – and perhaps the most obvious. Simply check in with the different services you know of and see what’s new on the platform. Most will centre their latest projects or acquisitions so that you are instantly shown the newest, most gossip-driven pieces of media on offer. Think about how Netflix’s Adolescence entered the scene with little fanfare but became a multi-Emmy-award-winner by being showcased on the homepage.
This is the same across all kinds of media, including gaming. For example, in the iGaming industry, you have sites that offer a catalogue of slots that is constantly updated with the latest games that use new and unique mechanics. A good way to ensure you’re not missing out on new slot releases is to simply keep an eye on the sites’ main pages, where new slots are often highlighted in their own section.
You can even do this with music now. Services like Spotify are keen on pushing new releases to listeners in order to keep you hooked on their platform. New Release Radar playlists are common on the Swedish app in particular, meaning that you can keep your finger on the pulse of music in much the same way as we used to when radio was king.
Look to Pop Culture and Media Critics
Back when print media was the primary source of both information and entertainment, the movie, TV, or music critic was a reliable way to discover what was new on the scene. You would find the outlet that suited you – or the specific critic – and keep up with the latest releases by checking out their opinion on what was trending or generating buzz.
While it’s no longer in print, this is still largely true. For example, Empire’s online service has its dedicated new movie reviews section where you can keep up with the latest blockbusters and see what is soon to be coming to the cinema. While that is quite a broad outlet, you can narrow it down by finding specific critics, such as Kermode and Mayo, or more niche publications that suit your style.
The rise of YouTube and podcasting has helped establish an entirely new way of learning about new media and has democratised it, to an extent. Where before, you would largely only learn about mainstream projects mainly through mass media and more niche ventures through resources like fanzines, you can now find out about the lowest-budget media on some of the most popular media sites.
Keep an Open Mind to the Media World
Sometimes, the best way to learn about the newest media is not to worry about FOMO. Instead, navigate these platforms, your local cinema, or record store with fresh eyes and see what you discover. You might spot the latest indie film, like The Damned United, by simply stumbling upon it.
In doing so, you could open yourself up to a whole new world of media that shapes what you enjoy, and you may also just find the newest phenomenon before anyone else. That way, you could be the one giving others FOMO as they look to keep up with you and how you discover the newest media around.
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