Instead, she seeks friction, referencing Kyla Scanlon’s recent interview for The Ezra Klein Show : “There’s value in things being a little bit difficult,” Scanlon said.

Industry veterans attribute the drop to a mix of economic pressures, production constraints, and Gen Z’s (alleged) disinterest in on-screen sex. As Masters of Sex creator Michelle Ashford notes, many streamers are instead opting for “vanilla” programming meant to offend no one and appeal to everyone.