What constitutes a "hit" in your mind?

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Assuming you care -- you don't need to let us know that you don't; we already know you're cool -- how do you know whether media content is a hit? Is it the amount of views/sales? Is it critical consensus? Is it a combination of the two?

Extra credit: What's something you consider a hit that most people normally would not?

 

[Ryujin]

As far as I'm concerned, critical consensus means nothing if a thing doesn't draw an audience, for purposes of whether it's a "hit." Also, being a "hit" doesn't imply that something is actually good. Pablum for the Public sells.

 

[payn]

A hit, in a general sense, is just something really popular. People connect to it for some reason. Perhaps its comedic, or maybe a compelling drama, but it has wide genre transcending appeal. Usually, its executed well and noted by critics alike, but there are exceptions.

EC is tricky, by my definition, but I think Game of Thrones is an example. The reasons GoT is a hit is that its fantasy that transcends genre. Very few fantasy titles are able to accomplish this. In this instance, you had good writing, generally good casting, and for a good while excellent execution. Normally, fantasy only attracts folks that like the genre, but GoT cast a wide net of political intrigue, mystery, action, romance, etc.. HBO has a reputation of taking these types of ideas and making them water cooler successful.

 

[Kaodi]

I wonder whether a hit also has to be, idk, a degree removed from reality or darkness. Like, Schindler's List was popular, successful, and critically acclaimed. If you were to utter the phrase, "the hit film Schindler's List," I think people would look at you like there was something deeply wrong with you.

 

[billd91]

I wonder whether a hit also has to be, idk, a degree removed from reality or darkness. Like, Schindler's List was popular, successful, and critically acclaimed. If you were to utter the phrase, "the hit film Schindler's List," I think people would look at you like there was something deeply wrong with you.

I think Schindler's List would fit the definition of a hit as far as matching criteria - drawing a lot of business/ticket sales. But I think you're right in that people wouldn't normally call it a hit - doing so would be awkward and wouldn't match the unusual gravity of the subject matter. I don't think that means that dark topics wouldn't be "hit"-worthy as a rule, just that some particular ones aren't.

 

[Scribe]

water cooler successful.

I think this is it.

 

[jian]

A hit traditionally means “everyone’s heard of it and has heard good things” and it definitely helps if it’s commercially successful.

It’s so hard to work out these days whether something fits the first criterion, let alone the second. Media is so much more diverse and fragmented that it’s honestly unlikely that more than 10% of the viewing public has seen it and liked it. Is Superman a hit? Is Severance (the most watched show on Apple)? How about Wednesday (the most watched show on Netflix)?

About the only media property which I’d definitely call a hit this year is KPOP Demon Hunters, and that’s mostly because the music is absolutely everywhere.

 

[BenjaminPey]

For a thing to be a hit for me, it needs to be at least equal to my armor class.

 

[MGibster]

Assuming you care -- you don't need to let us know that you don't; we already know you're cool -- how do you know whether media content is a hit? Is it the amount of views/sales? Is it critical consensus? Is it a combination of the two?

I consider something to be a hit when it becomes well known and popular. If its well known and unpopular it's not a hit.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I consider something to be a hit when it becomes well known and popular. If its well known and unpopular it's not a hit.

With the media environment breaking into thousands of tiny subcultures, there are hugely popular genres that are essentially invisible to people sitting right next to fans.

If you don't listen to Kawaii Metal, Vaporwave or Pirate Metal, those genres might sound like a bit on 30 Rock.

Since we're not all listening to the same handful of stations -- specialization has been underway since the 1960s and went into turbodrive in the digital era -- "well known" is a pretty high bar.

And if you spend any time on social media, you'll see people claiming to not know the names of huge pop stars like Sabrina Carpenter, who are still played by the radio 24/7.