Everyone knows that the Netflix release model for TV shows is focused on binge-watching. When the new “Stranger Things” arrives, it’s given to us all at once, with viewers powering through hours of new content in one sitting. This is antithetical to how TV worked in the pre-streaming age, where shows were released on a weekly basis, keeping the conversation going for ages. We’ve even seen Netflix’s biggest competitors embracing the week-to-week model. Now, with stock prices dropping and Netflix attempting to figure out how to become a lot more profitable, it appears the streamer is maybe open to the idea of changing how it releases TV shows.
In a new profile of Netflix co-CEO Reed Hastings from Puck, the outlet stated, “Netflix says there’s no hard evidence that week-to-week episodes reduce subscriber churn, but the Netflix churn rate has been inching higher, and it is now the only streamer with a default all-at-once strategy.” Because of this, the report claims that Netflix’s Hastings “appears” to be interested in possibly switching from a binge release model to a week-to-week release model.
Does this mean that Netflix is definitely going to do it? Of course not. However, as the report shows, Netflix is the only streamer operating with the binge model being what it uses nearly 100% of the time. (Only a couple of reality-based shows use week-to-week.) Also, we’ve seen recent major TV series, such as “Stranger Things” and “Ozark,” split seasons into multiple parts, which allows for the conversation surrounding the shows to last a bit longer. “Stranger Things,” in particular, seemed to benefit (at least with social media buzz) by delaying the release of the final few episodes of Season 4 by a month or so.
All that to say, we could be looking at a future where Netflix changes course and starts releasing TV shows on a week-to-week schedule versus the iconic binge model. The streamer obviously feels like this move probably won’t result in massive losses of subscribers, however, it’ll be interesting to see how the general public reacts to this change if it happens. Will people be excited to enjoy the new season of “Squid Game” weekly instead of all at once or will they get frustrated? We’ve seen this sort of backlash happen over at Amazon with the weekly release of “The Boys.” There are fans of the show that review-bomb the series because they want it released all at once.
With ad-supported Netflix being an option soon enough, there’s really no predicting what other drastic moves the streamer will make for profitability’s sake. We’ll just have to wait and see.