Historically, "popular media" referred to mass communication intended for large audiences—radio, television, newspapers, and blockbuster films. "Entertainment content" was the substance filling those channels: sitcoms, soap operas, and summer hits.
This has introduced a new dynamic: Unlike Tom Hanks or Taylor Swift (traditional celebrities), micro-influencers feel accessible. They reply to comments. They "go live" from their kitchens. Consumers feel a friendship with these creators. When a creator recommends a product or expresses a political view, the conversion rate is astronomically higher than traditional advertising.
Historically, popular media was defined by "watercooler moments" where large populations consumed the same content at the same time via broadcast television or cinema. The rise of streaming platforms has replaced this with asynchronous consumption.