In 2021, the rules changed. It wasn’t just about having a library; it was about the exclusive event. From Marvel’s return to the big screen (sort of) to surprise album drops, here is how exclusive entertainment content defined the media landscape of 2021.

The winners of 2021 (Netflix’s Squid Game , Apple’s CODA , HBO Max’s Dune ) were those who understood that "exclusive" no longer means "elite." It means Whether you were streaming the Battle of Helm’s Deep or the Red Light Green Light doll, 2021 was the year we stopped asking, "Is it in theaters?" and started asking, "What platform is it on?"

Despite the rise of new competitors, Netflix remained the king of popular media volume in 2021. Their strategy focused on two distinct areas: massive international acquisitions and algorithm-baiting thrillers.

: Asha Bromfield is a Jamaican-Canadian actress and author of the novel Hurricane Summer .