Netflix unable to usurp HBO as television king
By Jerrison Oracion, Senior Columnist
This was supposed to be the year of Netflix for the Emmy Awards because of their shows and the trendy way they were released. However, when the winners were announced at the Emmy Awards—which Andy Samberg did a great job hosting—HBO swept up most of the awards. The channel got the top honours for Best Drama and Best Comedy for their highest rated show, Game of Thrones, and one of my favourite shows, Veep, respectively. Also, the mini-series Olive Kitteridge took home all but one award in the miniseries category. Netflix received only one award, for Uzo Aduba’s performance in Orange is the New Black.
HBO set the standard for premium cable TV, which is the reason why HBO got the most Emmy Award nominations in the past few decades. HBO makes shows that are high quality, exciting, and relevant to today’s news. Currently, HBO’s competitors are Showtime, Netflix, and Amazon Instant Video.
Game of Thrones is the show that a lot of people are talking about right now, because of its interesting story, its cinematic look, and the various locations that it is filmed in to create Westeros. After four seasons—despite the fact that this season was very controversial—the show received the most Emmy Awards this year with 12, the most a series has ever won in a single year.
Veep is about fictional Vice President Selina Meyer and her team’s experience in politics. The show received a lot of praise and the US Vice President’s office approved it, because it shows what happens in their office. This can be compared to House of Cards, another political show that hasn’t received the same nods from congress.
I thought that either Modern Family or Transparent would get Best Comedy, but, surprisingly, the award went to Veep. Amazon Instant Video’s only great show Transparent still received three Emmy Awards, including Best Actor in a Comedy for Jeffrey Tambor. Hopefully the show will be available on DVD, so that I can see how great it is.
Today, many of the great shows are shown on cable channels, and there are fewer quality shows on the four major US networks. However, the major networks are still great for crime shows, sitcoms, and reality shows. Now that the winners of the Emmy Awards this year are announced, you can watch the big winners by getting HBO with Movie Central through your cable provider.
