Despite having all the money in the world, Netflix isn’t immune to good ol’ fashioned competition. While speaking at a recent panel (via Variety), Reed Hastings, Netflix CEO, discussed the future of the streaming service and how November marks a new era for the world of streaming.
You would think that it would take a lot for Netflix to lose a bidding war. However, according to Hastings, the one series he wishes they didn’t lose but were “outbid” on was none other than Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s award-winning comedy, “Fleabag.” While he didn’t get into specifics, it’s clear that even the CEO of the largest streaming service in the world still has certain losses that stick with him.
READ MORE: Amazon Studios Boss Talks Possible ‘Fleabag’ Season 3: “I’m Forever The Optimist”
And as he warned the crowd, there could be more losses in the future. Not because of Netflix’s change of strategy, but because of added competition.
“While we’ve been competing with many people in the last decade, it’s a whole new world starting in November…between Apple launching and Disney launching, and of course Amazon’s ramping up,” said Hastings. “It’ll be tough competition. Direct-to-consumer [customers] will have a lot of choice.”
No matter how dominant Netflix might be at the moment, there’s no denying that the introduction of Apple TV+ on November 1 and Disney+ just 11 days later is going to change the entire landscape of the streaming world. Instead of Netflix trying to keep Amazon and Hulu at bay, there are now two more heavy hitters (with NBCUniversal and WarnerMedia also to come) that can keep up with the company purely on spending.
We’ll have to see how Netflix adapts in a couple of months.
