You hit on a HUGE thing. The goal isn't to MAKE MONEY- the goal (as a creative) is to make something the consumer will feel is worth buying - and if you're smart, buying several times. As in multiple versions (director's cut/extended version) - all the merch, cosplay, toys, swag. Collection, group pack, gift set etc....
It's like the current/modern intent is to 'fool me once' and get me to go see some crap and then laugh all the way to the bank.
As opposed to creating something a consumer can't CONSUME enough of.
The interest needs to rise beyond the medium.
Watching or reading isn't enough. You want to reenact and play out adventures and digest extra content and watch behind the scenes and well, get anything related to the IP.
When you pander (and do other gimmicky stuff) , you just want to strike a nerve and strike it hard enough to get the consumer to part with their cash, but not enough to make them fans all over again.
I've heard professionals say the only point of a comic is to get you to want to read the next one.
And the only point of a page is to make you want to turn it.