Television Show This Summer: Perfect Puff of Smoke
In the world of television, summer 2025 seems to be reminiscent of a bygone era, with fewer options for viewers compared to previous years. This perception can be attributed to the ongoing shift in viewer habits towards streaming platforms, which have drawn audiences away from traditional broadcast and cable television.
For instance, in June 2025, streaming services collectively surpassed broadcast TV in viewer time for the first time, fragmenting the audience and reducing the prominence of content on conventional TV networks during the summer period. This trend implies that while there is high-quality content available, such as shows like Asura, Foundation, and Code of Silence which received strong critical acclaim in mid-2025, much of it is concentrated on streaming platforms rather than traditional TV.
Additional factors contributing to this shift include seasonal viewing habits, content distribution across many platforms, audience demographics and content focus, and critical reception and cancellation patterns. However, despite this, high-quality, well-reviewed shows have been released in 2025, mainly through streaming, indicating that the issue lies more with where the content is found rather than an absolute lack of quality content overall.
One such show is AppleTV+'s new series, Smoke. Created by crime novelist Dennis Lehane, Smoke follows the story of two serial arsonists being chased by Jurnee Smollett's character, a livewire co-lead character, and Taron Egerton's character, a tortured arson investigator. Smollett delivers a compelling performance as a tortured overzealous detective, while Egerton's performance builds on the goodwill he accrued with his previous role in Carry-On.
Critics have praised Smoke for its gripping storyline, which is more reminiscent of Gillian Flynn's work, featuring a Difficult Woman co-protagonist, a whodunit shell, and sweaty, small-town weariness. Alan Sepinwall has given a positive review for the show, promising a good twist that makes it worth sticking with.
Meanwhile, Emmy juggernaut The Bear always comes through during the summer, providing a much-needed respite for viewers. Noah Hawley is also remixing another beloved film franchise with Alien: Earth on FX, which will air in two weeks.
The traditional TV landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with Peak Streaming obliterating the old TV model. Shows like The Morning Show, a series on AppleTV+ that is described as a singularly bizarre viewing experience, are becoming more common. Joe Budden, an AppleTV+ series connoisseur, recently recommended Smoke on his most recent podcast episode.
While HBO Sunday and last year's tentpole spin-off of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, followed suit in June, viewers seem to be gravitating towards the new offerings on streaming platforms. Classics like Mad Men might still provide an alternative for those seeking to cure summer boredom, but the future of television undoubtedly lies with the streaming giants.
- The fashion and style seen in the new AppleTV+ series, Smoke, draw inspiration from the small, sweaty towns depicted in the show, with its characters dressings bearing the signs of everyday wear and tear.
- Despite the ongoing transformation in the television landscape, entertainment culture still highly Values shows with strong critical acclaim, as evidenced by the buzz surrounding streaming series like Smoke and The Morning Show.
- Summer 2025 marks a significant shift in viewer habits towards streaming platforms not only for movies-and-tv content but also for culture, as the traditional TV networks lose prominence in favor of digital distribution.
