Sorry, Netflix shows - you don’t get a pass just because you’re on Netflix

WHEN you picture the offices at Netfl ix, do you just imagine executives throwing handfuls of cash at TV producers? It doesn’t seem that far off. This year, the streaming service behemoth is projected to cough up US$ 6 billion on content, ranking only behind ESPN in spending.

For years, Netfl ix was seen as the dream spot for TV shows: a seemingly unlimited budget, and without the pressure of ratings because executives don’t reveal them. So even though you may have never heard of shows such as “Flaked” or “Haters Back Off,” it wasn’t too surprising that they were renewed. However, that era of Netfl ix may be coming to an end.

The company confi rmed on Saturday that “Girlboss” has been cancelled after one season. The dramedy - an adaptation of e-retailer entrepreneur Sophia Amoruso’s book - didn’t get great reviews, but it certainly had loyal fans. It appears that’s no longer enough to ensure a second season. “Girlboss” is the third Netfl ix show in a month to get cut, following Baz Luhrmann’s musical drama “The Get Down” (one season) and Lana and Lilly Wachowski’s sci- fi series “Sense8” (two seasons).

As you may know, three is a trend: Over the weekend, multiple outlets pointed to the “Girlboss” news as a real signal that Netfl ix is serious about trimming its original offerings.

Last month, Netfl ix chief executive Reed Hastings told CNBC that “our hit ratio is way too high right now” and acknowledged the company had very few cancellations.

“I’m always pushing the content team, we have to take more risks, you have to try more crazy things,” he said. “Because we should have a higher cancel rate overall.”

Many interpreted this as Hastings saying Netfl ix would crack down on shows that didn’t make a huge splash - as opposed to series such as the polarising “13 Reasons Why,” a drama about teen suicide that proved extremely controversial but earned worldwide headlines and tons of social-media buzz. Antennas went up after autumn’s cancellation of “Bloodline.” Granted, it got three seasons, but critics were still shocked to see Netfl ix axe a show that not only had a star- studded cast but also lots of awards attention. At the time, Vulture’s Joe Adalian noted that Netfl ix might have “entered a new phase in its history” in which it wouldn’t just toss money at high-profi le producers.

“As one studio executive told Vulture last spring, ‘ We’re having conversations now where Netfl ix is saying, ‘ Wow, we really love that show. It feels too expensive,’ ”Adalian wrote.

So, producers of Netflix shows, it looks like the honeymoon may be over - you don’t get a pass just because you’re at a very successful company. If this slowly increasing list of cancellations is any indication, you may need to step up your game, or be on the chopping block. — WP-Bloomberg