Netflix gets serious as it trims its offerings

WHEN you picture the offices at Netflix, do you 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 spend $6 billion (R77bn) on content, ranking only behind ESPN in spending.

For years, Netflix 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 Netflix may be coming to an end.

The company confirmed 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 had loyal fans. It appears that’s no longer enough to ensure a second season.

Girlboss is the third 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).

Over the weekend, multiple outlets pointed to the Girlboss news as a real signal that Netflix is serious about trimming its original offerings. Last month, chief executive Reed Hastings told CNBC “our hit ratio is way too high right now” and acknowledged the company had 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 Netflix 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 controversial but earned worldwide headlines and tons of social-media buzz. It was recently renewed for a second season.

Antennas went up after the cancellation of Bloodline. Critics were shocked to see Netflix axe a show that not only had a star-studded cast (Kyle Chandler, Ben Mendelsohn) but also lots of awards attention.

At the time, Vulture’s Joe Adalian noted that Netflix might have “entered a new phase in its history” in which it wouldn’t just toss money at high-profile producers (and Bloodline was getting expensive).

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. – The Washington Post