As a streaming giant, Netflix is always looking for ways to keep its subscribers engaged and attract new ones. Unfortunately, this often means canceling TV shows that have not been able to reach a large enough audience to justify their budget. The recent string of cancellations in January, including popular shows, has left fans disappointed and frustrated.
When asked about the backlash to these cancellations, Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, stated in an interview with Bloomberg, “We have never canceled a successful show.” He went on to explain that many of the shows were well-intended but only appealed to a small audience, and that the key to success is being able to appeal to both a small audience on a small budget and a large audience on a large budget. He further said “A lot of these shows were well-intended but talk to a very small audience on a very big budget.”
It’s important to understand that Netflix’s business model is centered around producing a large volume of content to keep its subscribers engaged and to attract new ones. As such, the company is constantly evaluating its portfolio of shows and making decisions about which ones to continue and which ones to cancel. However, it’s not just about the numbers, but also about the quality of the content. If a show is not performing well, it may mean that the story or the characters are not resonating with the audience, and it’s not worth investing more money into it.
While it’s a necessary part of the streaming giant’s strategy for long-term success, the cancellation of a beloved show can be difficult for fans. It’s important for Netflix to acknowledge the disappointment and sadness that comes with the end of a series and to remember the emotional investment fans have in these shows.
