I think as long there is no gain for skaters from non-TE-medalling countries, the participation trend will likely go down rather than up.
If S/M or Sui/Han or Yuzuru Hanyu score a new world record in the TE, it means nothing as their teams are not going to make it into the final 5 or medalling.
But if they falter or if the judges 'want' certain countries to win because they have politicked accordingly beforehand, they'll get underscored or loose to an opponent they don't want to loose to - getting a disadvantage in the individual event.
If S/M or Sui/Han or Yuzuru Hanyu score a new world record in the TE, it means nothing as their teams are not going to make it into the final 5 or medalling.
But if they falter or if the judges 'want' certain countries to win because they have politicked accordingly beforehand, they'll get underscored or loose to an opponent they don't want to loose to - getting a disadvantage in the individual event.