If you’ve spent any time watching ghost hunting TV shows or casually scrolling paranormal Facebook groups, you’ve probably heard someone point to a mysterious ball of light in a photo or video and call it proof of a ghost. These glowing circles, often called ghost orbs, are one of the most widely circulated pieces of “evidence” in the field. But here’s the truth: 99.999999% of orbs seen through a camera lens are not paranormal at all.

On our latest episode of the Paranormal Lens podcast, we explored how The Dead Files managed to refresh the format while still following the same five-act structure. The Dead Files proved that even within the same old five-act, cookie-cutter formula, you can still breathe new life into paranormal television.

The paranormal industry is dying. Or rather, the era of traditional paranormal television shows may be coming to an end. What does this mean for investigators, creators, and fans? And more importantly: What will the future of paranormal media look like?