Pop Culture Pulse Sep 25: AI-Generated Nostalgia, YouTube x NFL & Box Office Boosts
Our Pop Culture Pulse is a monthly download of the buzziest cultural developments, emerging fandoms and audience trends. This month, we’re investigating the appeal of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated nostalgia on social media, the success of YouTube’s first exclusive livestreamed US National Football League (NFL) game and how Gen Alphas are set to boost the cinema box office.
Social Media & Internet Culture: AI-Generated Nostalgia Charms Analogue-Curious Audiences
Entertainment: YouTube x NFL Amplifies Live Sport's Entertainment Factor
Entertainment: Gen Alpha Fans & TikTok Sales Promise Cinema Box Office Boosts
In the era of widespread fatigue with contemporary hyperconnected lives – 47% of 16- to 21-year-old Brits would prefer to be growing up in a pre-internet era (BSI, 2025) – audiences seeking quick hits of nostalgia are flocking to AI-generated social media content to soothe their frustrations. TikTok has seen a surge in AI nostalgia videos (many garnering millions of views) depicting the ‘unplugged’ 1990s and 2000s.
In the era of widespread fatigue with contemporary hyperconnected lives – 47% of 16- to 21-year-old Brits would prefer to be growing up in a pre-internet era (BSI, 2025) – audiences seeking quick hits of nostalgia are flocking to AI-generated social media content to soothe their frustrations. TikTok has seen a surge in AI nostalgia videos (many garnering millions of views) depicting the ‘unplugged’ 1990s and 2000s.
Summary
Social Media & Internet Culture: AI-Generated Nostalgia Charms Analogue-Curious Audiences | In the era of widespread fatigue with contemporary hyperconnected lives – 47% of 16- to 21-year-old Brits would prefer to be growing up in a pre-internet era (BSI, 2025) – audiences seeking quick hits of nostalgia are flocking to AI-generated social media content to soothe their frustrations. TikTok has seen a surge in AI nostalgia videos (many garnering millions of views) depicting the ‘unplugged’ 1990s and 2000s. |
Entertainment: YouTube x NFL Amplifies Live Sport's Entertainment Factor | YouTube’s first-ever exclusive global broadcast of an NFL game broke the platform’s livestream viewership record, reaching 19.7 million global fans (YouTube, 2025). The buzzy event, featuring exclusive content and commentary from heavyweight YouTubers, including MrBeast – plus a major half-time music show – indicates the entertainment-forward future of live sports as streaming platforms take up the broadcast mantle. |
Entertainment: Gen Alpha Fans & TikTok Sales Promise Cinema Box Office Boosts | Although global box office takings are rising year-on-year, ticket sales are still below pre-pandemic levels, with home viewing taking up a chunk of audience engagement. But a real-life box office boost is on the horizon, led by novelty-seeking Gen Alphas and a new bridge between social discovery and in-person cinemagoing thanks to ticket sales launching on TikTok. |
Pop Culture Pulse Sep 25: AI-Generated Nostalgia, YouTube x NFL & Box Office Boosts
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