Hi Nihaar, I really liked this take and it made me wonder if this latest disruption is a result of the new depth in streaming competition.
Before the recent fragmentation of streaming, Netflix could take for granted that most content would stream on their site after their initial runs. That meant that their focus could be on the long tail of content, and supporting those shows with smaller audiences. Now that the best content is scattered across different services, Netflix has to step up with it's own offerings to maintain and gain subscribers.
That’s right. If you have full access to 2nd run content, the algo approach works great because you don’t quite care what people are watching, just that they’re watching. Once you rely on producing originals to compete with other platforms’ originals, you not only care that people are watching but also that they’re watching *your* titles. Now all of a sudden you’re in the business of making hits, and you have to assimilate towards Hollywood studio norms.
Excellent writing. I posted the link on Facebook, Twitter, and a space on Quora that I moderate, Ask A Screenwriter https://www.quora.com/q/ask-a-screenwriter - and nice to see something on Substack, I learned about it this week.
Here we go again....this journalist is asking the questions we asked in the '90s. Will the pendulum swing the other way again?
https://nofilmschool.com/tentpole-budget-about-to-burst?fbclid=IwAR3IMos7dCB6g_UYBEpNZvRGCk8OBZBo4xAQUnw9YzBTJ-ZvsfsFYLzkkOU
Hi Nihaar, I really liked this take and it made me wonder if this latest disruption is a result of the new depth in streaming competition.
Before the recent fragmentation of streaming, Netflix could take for granted that most content would stream on their site after their initial runs. That meant that their focus could be on the long tail of content, and supporting those shows with smaller audiences. Now that the best content is scattered across different services, Netflix has to step up with it's own offerings to maintain and gain subscribers.
That’s right. If you have full access to 2nd run content, the algo approach works great because you don’t quite care what people are watching, just that they’re watching. Once you rely on producing originals to compete with other platforms’ originals, you not only care that people are watching but also that they’re watching *your* titles. Now all of a sudden you’re in the business of making hits, and you have to assimilate towards Hollywood studio norms.
Great article. I'd love to see a netflix series about the origins of netflix and taking on blockbuster and hollywood haha
Thanks! Agreed - I think there are some books out there that cover the subject. It's a fascinating history. :)
Great read! Good luck with your stories!
Thank you, Wendy!
Excellent writing. I posted the link on Facebook, Twitter, and a space on Quora that I moderate, Ask A Screenwriter https://www.quora.com/q/ask-a-screenwriter - and nice to see something on Substack, I learned about it this week.
Thanks, Skip! I greatly appreciate the support. :)