1. Toy Industry – He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
In the 1980s, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe wasn’t just a cartoon—it was a phenomenon that drove toy sales through the roof. Mattel’s action figures went from niche collector items to must-have Christmas presents almost overnight. Kids were reenacting battles in their living rooms, and parents couldn’t keep the toys on store shelves. The success of He-Man proved that a TV show could essentially serve as a multi-million-dollar commercial.
Retailers began allocating entire sections of their stores to action figures, creating an explosion in the toy aisle that hadn’t been seen before. The formula of combining a show with a toy line became a blueprint for decades of merchandising. Other franchises quickly followed suit, including Transformers and G.I. Joe. It set a precedent for how television could directly boost product sales.
2. Fashion – Sex and the City
When Sex and the City aired in the late ’90s, it didn’t just entertain—it dictated fashion trends. Suddenly, Manolo Blahnik shoes were household names, and everyone wanted Carrie Bradshaw’s eclectic, fearless style. Clothing stores saw spikes in sales for everything from tutus to cocktail dresses. Accessories, particularly handbags and statement jewelry, became conversation pieces in everyday life.
Designers noted that a single scene could spark lines out the door at their boutiques. The show gave viewers a reason to try new looks they would have never dared before. Fashion magazines began featuring more street-style looks inspired by television rather than runways alone. Sex and the City essentially made high fashion accessible, desirable, and, most importantly, relatable.
3. Video Game Industry – Stranger Things
Stranger Things not only revived ’80s nostalgia but also triggered a boom in retro gaming culture. The show’s love of arcade games like Dig Dug and Dragon’s Lair sent fans scrambling to play classic titles. Nintendo and other console sales saw a noticeable uptick as parents sought to recreate the Hawkins experience at home. Merchandise like themed controllers and limited edition games flew off shelves.
Arcade bars and retro gaming lounges started appearing in cities across America, capitalizing on the craze. Indie developers began creating 8-bit style games inspired by the series’ aesthetic. The show also encouraged younger audiences to explore the origins of gaming culture. In essence, Stranger Things became a bridge between generations of gamers.
4. Food Industry – Friends
Coffee sales skyrocketed thanks to Friends, and Central Perk practically became a cultural blueprint for cafes everywhere. People didn’t just watch the show; they wanted to live it, sipping lattes with their friends in a cozy corner booth. Espresso machines, mugs, and even themed snacks became popular household items. Restaurants and coffee shops started marketing themselves as “hangout spots,” hoping to emulate the show’s charm.
The impact went beyond coffee, too. The show popularized New York-style sandwiches and cheesecake, turning previously niche items into mainstream cravings. Licensed products like Friends themed cookbooks and coffee blends found enormous success. Social media posts from fans often mirrored the show’s iconic moments, keeping the hype alive for decades. It turned casual café-going into a full cultural experience.
5. Beauty Industry – Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Buffy the Vampire Slayer didn’t just inspire a generation of strong female characters; it also inspired killer beauty trends. Dark eyeliner, grunge-inspired fashion, and bold lip colors became signature looks for fans trying to channel their inner Slayer. Cosmetic brands quickly caught on, releasing themed palettes and limited edition items. Stores noticed significant upticks in sales for black eyeliner and hair styling products reminiscent of Buffy’s style.
Beyond makeup, the show spurred interest in personal fitness and self-defense, creating a crossover effect for wellness brands. Yoga studios and martial arts gyms noted an increase in female enrollment, with some marketing classes as “Slayer-style training.” Buffy fans weren’t just cosplaying—they were reshaping the beauty and wellness industries. The series proved that a show could influence both appearance and lifestyle.
6. Automotive Industry – Knight Rider
Knight Rider may have been about a talking car, but it ended up revving up real-world car culture. The show’s KITT vehicle turned the Pontiac Trans Am into a must-have collector’s item. Car dealerships reported higher interest in sporty, tech-forward models after the series aired. Fans even began customizing vehicles to replicate KITT’s sleek design.
Automotive accessories also saw a bump, from dashboard gadgets to remote control devices. Car clubs and fan conventions began springing up around modified cars inspired by the show. Technology enthusiasts were introduced to the idea of integrating more futuristic electronics into their vehicles. Essentially, Knight Rider created a fusion of pop culture and automotive obsession.
7. Sports – Friday Night Lights
Friday Night Lights didn’t just tell the story of a high school football team—it reignited America’s love for local sports. Attendance at youth and high school football games saw noticeable increases in towns nationwide. Merchandise sales, from jerseys to banners, mirrored the fervor portrayed on TV. Sports networks even started giving more airtime to small-town high school games.
Coaching programs noticed a surge in young athletes inspired by the show’s characters. Football gear manufacturers saw spikes in demand for everything from cleats to helmets. Even summer football camps reported record enrollments. The show made viewers believe that small-town football could be just as exciting as professional leagues.
8. Home Improvement – This Old House
This Old House turned casual viewers into weekend warriors and DIY enthusiasts. Sales of power tools, paint, and home renovation supplies spiked as Americans attempted their own projects. Hardware stores noticed a boom in beginner-friendly tools and instructional books. The show made home improvement approachable for people who had previously relied on contractors.
Crafting your own space became a cultural hobby, rather than a chore. Local workshops and classes started seeing increased enrollment as people wanted to replicate what they saw on TV. Cable networks followed suit, creating more DIY-focused content. The series helped turn remodeling into both a pastime and a serious industry.
9. Music – Glee
Glee took musical performance from the stage to the living room, turning cover songs into chart-topping hits. Tracks from the show consistently climbed iTunes and Billboard charts, sometimes rivaling original releases. Music stores noticed a resurgence in interest for sheet music, karaoke machines, and vocal coaching. Choir and drama programs also saw more student participation inspired by the show’s energy.
The show influenced music streaming and digital downloads, proving TV could drive music sales directly. Young people began exploring genres they might never have encountered otherwise. It even encouraged budding artists to record covers and share them online. Glee showed how performance on screen could create a tangible impact in the music world.
10. Travel – Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones turned real-world destinations into pilgrimage sites for fans seeking to walk in the footsteps of their favorite characters. Iceland, Croatia, and Northern Ireland saw massive tourism boosts thanks to the show’s breathtaking landscapes. Travel agencies even created themed tours catering specifically to Westeros enthusiasts. Hotels and local guides noticed that bookings for “filming location experiences” soared.
The show transformed ordinary sightseeing into immersive fantasy experiences. Fans would schedule entire vacations around key filming spots, boosting local economies. Restaurants and shops capitalized by offering themed menus and souvenirs. It became clear that a hit TV show could redefine travel trends globally.
11. Pet Industry – Lassie
Classic shows like Lassie didn’t just entertain—they created a nationwide obsession with certain dog breeds. Collies saw a huge spike in popularity as families wanted their own heroic, loyal companions. Pet stores experienced increased demand for grooming products, training classes, and specialty food. Veterinarians even noted a rise in inquiries about the breed’s care.
The show cemented the idea of dogs as family heroes, shaping the way Americans chose pets for decades. Dog-related media, from books to toys, flourished alongside the series. Collie clubs and competitions gained attention and membership. Lassie effectively turned a single breed into an industry driver.
12. Craft Beer – Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad made chemistry cool, but it also helped spark a craft beer and cocktail culture in its wake. Bars and breweries began creating “Blue Sky” themed drinks and limited edition brews. Fans wanted a taste of the show’s world, even if it was just a creatively named cocktail. Local breweries saw an uptick in experimentation inspired by TV-inspired flavors.
The show also encouraged mixologists and homebrewers to push boundaries and try new, bold combinations. Specialty brewing kits and craft ingredients flew off shelves. Fans wanted immersive experiences that echoed the intensity and creativity of the series. Breaking Bad proved that even a dark drama could inspire tangible trends in beverages.
This post 12 Industries That Exploded in America Because of One TV Show was first published on American Charm.
