Very different environment when it comes to sport and entertainment now than it was 40-50 years ago. Cycling clearly has an eye on a more casual audience (hence the Netflix series) like F1 did. F1 suffered to capitalise that more than it did cos of Max and RB's dominance (this season is a lot more competitive at least). Cycling is even less friendly for casuals so having it be Pogacar turns up, he wins, is a bit damaging imo (same for the classics with what VdP does).
It's probably been one of the worst seasons for competitiveness i've seen and i'm watching it nearly 30 years. At least even in the Lance years, it was just the Tour, not multiple races being shat on by 2 riders.