It's sort of all of the above. Netflix et al increases the availability of backlog TV shows. Networks abandoned quality tv because lowest common denominator won

It's sort of all of the above. Netflix et al increases the availability of backlog TV shows. Networks abandoned quality tv because lowest common denominator won the highest ratings. Then cable saw the benefits of high quality niche programming. HBO started it. But FX and AMC showed you could make real money on regular cable with prestige shows like mad men, breaking bad and the shield.