Entertaiment is a very wide field, covering everything from a single private choice from an enormous range of pre-recorded entertainment products to banquets prepared and served for two; to performances designed for thousands or even for a global audience. Although technological change has altered the availability, cost, variety and quality of entertainment, the fundamental forms remain relatively stable. For example, stories such as Scheherazade from the Persian professional storytelling tradition have inspired retellings in different media – orchestral works by Rimsky-Korsakov and Ravel, films by Pasolini and Spielberg and innovative video games.

Often what is considered entertaining has the potential to provide insight or intellectual growth, as with ceremonies, celebrations, religious festivals and satire. Other times entertainment may be used to promote social behaviour, for example, by organising spectator sports.