Film Theory: Netflix is DYING... but I can SAVE it!

Netflix’s major problem is canceling amazing shows in the first season because they didn’t do enough press to get good numbers on the release day. So once the show is actually discovered and everyone loves it, it will have already been canceled

Here is the problem: You used to be able to buy Netflix and have access to most films and movies, now you have to pay for 5 streaming services and still don't have access to everything.

I’d also like to point out that Netflix is probably getting known for cancelling series’. It affects how much people want to invest into their product.

“My friend Colleen AKA Miranda Sings” well that aged like milk…

Hopefully Neflix is going to watch this and take this free business advice from MatPat. He's more than just some theorist after all, but a business advisor as well.

One thing I never see brought up enough about password sharing is that they already charge you extra for 1, 2, or 4 simultaneous streams. If I'm paying for 4 streams, what does it matter if they're under the same roof or not?

One prime example is Arcane. This masterpiece of a show released 3 episodes each week for 3 weeks. The show exploded and maintained popularity throughout those 3 weeks because of its release style. In my opinion, releasing 1 episode a week for a show on Netflix would be weird because binge watching has become a central part of Netflix culture. I would suggest them maybe releasing 2 or 3 episodes a week for a show like what they have been doing with their reality TV shows. It will keep the binge aspect that Netflix is associated with while extending it over a few weeks.

So, my personal issues with Netflix are: - there's no way to see what the latest releases are, just a selection of newish releases and trending shows - it feels like it's 95% cheap filler movies - show/film descriptions often say nothing about what it's about - show/film trailers are mostly a clip that tells you nothing about the show and are mostly boring and unengaging - it doesn't show you what you've already watched - the price is way more than other services, and those services offer shows and films that aren't mostly filler... and the price keeps increasing - it does a very poor job with shows it thinks I will like

i also think netflix is focusing too much on “shock value” shows. shows like their awful reality shows (ex. too hot to handle) and movies like 365 days and tall girl. yes, they give you a momentary check when it blows up on tiktok and everyone hate watches it, but it doesn’t build fans. people talk about it for a week after it comes out, make fun of it, and go on with their day. meanwhile, stranger things (a show that’s actually well written and planned out) is still incredibly relevant years after it’s first season. shows like i’m not okay with this got cancelled, but are still highly praised online with a core fanbase begging for a revival. that’s what netflix is forgetting. they want to make a quick dollar off of a terrible movie or show, but forget that clout fades in a month or so.

"my friend colleen" that one didnt age qute so well.

8:14 “My friend Colleen” That aged well

I'm actually surprised you didn't talk about their pattern of cancelling shows after 3 seasons in order to not have to pay more to their actors and crew. Can't build a fandom if you cancel shows so quickly

The whole “space out the release” thing is perfectly displayed by arcane. Released in three acts over three weeks, great pace and kept everyone talking

MatPat really does have a point about the bingeing and release schedule thing. As someone who watches dramas that release episodes on a weekly basis, there’s time for us to react and anticipate each episode. It gives us something to look forward to. If people want to binge a drama, they will simply wait until the week or day of the final episode to do so. Following a weekly release schedule will still give people the opportunity to binge a show, while also letting it last longer.

something to point out is that a lot of the strategies mentioned in this video can be seen in anime, which is EXTREMELY successful when it comes to audience engagement and consumption: the one-episode-a-week releases for new seasons, heavy emphasis on promotion, and ESPECIALLY the earned media. the amount of merchandisable goods being made from anime (figurines, t-shirts, keychains, cosplays, etc.) is insane and creates strong fanbases. matpat really makes some great points in this video!

My main issue with Netflix right now is that I can’t commit to anything, one day you start a new show and a few days later they decide to cancel it, at this point I just skip everything because I’m not interested on getting burned by shows getting cancelled, they may make the most incredible show ever but I’m just not going to watch it, to be honest the only reason why I haven’t cancelled is that my parents watch a few shows on my account and those shows are not even Netflix originals…

My major problem with netflix is removing some of the best shows they used to have just to give us a bad netflix original nobody cares about. Its even worse when those shows require you to pay for an entirely other service to access

8:09 That didn't age well...

I sincerely hope Netflix heeds your warnings and advice. I'm not particularly interested in Netflix as a business. But they did give me my Favourite series, possibly ever.

Mattpatt is correct! It is the reason why netflix kdramas actually do well. Two days or one day a week releases because they follow the production schedules of asian media.