Strike-interrupted writing and filming, overloaded production schedules and a general downturn for some of the country’s largest entertainment companies have hit Netflix with the streamer cutting more than 100 shows and shrinking its output of original programming last year, Bloomberg reported, and it already seems clear at least some of the shows that got the ax.
Key facts
- Netflix released roughly 130 fewer original programs last year than in 2022, according to Bloomberg, marking the first time ever that the streamer saw a dip in the number of releases, though it’s unclear exactly what canceled shows are included in that count.
- Netflix had the fewest number of original releases in the last quarter of the year than in any year before, and cut back its production of stand-up specials, movies, TV shows and documentaries, according to Bloomberg’s analysis of What’s On Netflix data.
- Original shows that were canceled at Netflix in 2023 include “Sex Education,” ended after three seasons, “Firefly Lane,” “Sex/Life,” “Human Resources,” “Welcome to Eden,” “Shadow and Bone,” “Dead End: Paranormal Park,” “Bling Empire” and its spinoff, “Bling Empire: New York.”
- While some of the shows were more popular than others, several enjoyed the praise of critics and audiences before their runs ended: “Dead End: Paranormal Park” has a 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, “Sex Education” has a 94% score and “Shadow and Bone” was liked by 84% of critics.
- The news of fewer original shows accompanies a November announcement that the company would reduce the number of movies it was making, Variety reported, aiming to make 25 to 30 better-quality films per year instead of the roughly 50 it was making before.
- Representatives for Netflix did not respond to Forbes’ request for comment Monday.
Crucial quote
“Right now, we’re not trying to hit a set number of film releases. It’s about ‘Let’s make what we believe in,’” Netflix film division head Scott Stuber told Variety. “And let’s actually put forth a slate that we can stand behind and say, ‘This is the best version of a romantic comedy. This is the best version of a thriller. This is the best version of a drama.’”
Contra
While some beloved shows may have hit the chopping block, Netflix is far from abandoning original programming.
The most-streamed English films of last week were two Netflix originals, “Rebel Moon — Part One: A Child of Fire” and “Leave the World Behind,” as were the top shows: comedy special “Ricky Gervais: Armageddon,” “My Life With the Walter Boys” and “The Crown.”
Mega hit shows like “Stranger Things,” “Wednesday” and “Ginny & Georgia” will all get new seasons, and rumors are swirling around spinoffs like an Uncle Fester show and new “Peaky Blinders” content.
Big number
10.2%. That’s the percentage of shows canceled by Netflix between 2020 and Aug. 8, 2023, according to a study by Variety Intelligence Platform and Luminate.
Netflix was the streamer that canceled the fifth-highest number of shows, behind Max, Disney+, Paramount and Hulu. Linear TV cancels about 10.8% of shows.
Key background
Netflix has been producing original content since 2012, when it released a crime comedy-drama called “Lilyhammer” that ran for three seasons.
It debuted “Stranger Things,” a science fiction drama, in 2016 and has since branched into comedy, kids programming, animation, anime, reality TV and docuseries, including “Formula 1: Drive to Survive,” “Love is Blind” and “The Umbrella Academy.”
Netflix has also jumped on board to pick up shows that first aired on other networks, like “Black Mirror,” “You” and “Cobra Kai.” Netflix is the world’s largest streaming service and reported 247.15 million paid members as of September of 2023.
The third quarter of 2023 saw 8.76 million new subscribers join the streaming service, growth that came amid a crackdown on password sharing that forced members to pay extra to allow multiple households to use the same account.
This article was first published on forbes.com and all figures are in USD.
