Netflix has faced backlash for canceling popular series like Sense8, with more cuts on the horizon. CEO Reed Hastings recently confirmed this approach, and for good reason. Here's why axing low-viewership shows makes strategic sense.
As you binge-watch or hunt for great movies—check out How to Find Netflix Movies You'll Love for tips—you might overlook the $9.99 monthly fee. It's excellent value, especially without ads interrupting like on traditional networks. No vacuum cleaner endorsements here.
Yet popularity drives Netflix's rates. Hit shows attract subscribers, keeping costs low. That's why Netflix pushes originals like its Marvel lineup. Explore Marvel Netflix Shows, Reviewed & Rated or Discover Marvel Comics and Marvel Characters on the Web to see why.
Netflix isn't entirely ad-free; subtle product placement generates revenue. Blockbusters like James Bond's Spectre thrived on it—read How James Bond Made Me Buy an Apple Watch. Spot an Apple Mac in Daredevil? Not coincidental. See The Beginner's Guide to Getting Started with Mac and iPhone Apps.
Traditional networks cancel for advertisers; Netflix should too.
Society fosters deep attachments to series like Doctor Who, Game of Thrones, and Star Trek. Star Trek: Discovery revived the franchise after years dormant since Enterprise ended in 2005—try A Beginner's Guide to the Star Trek Franchise.
Fan GIFs, art, and shipping boost Netflix's buzz. But low-following shows must go, just like on ABC or BBC. The Get Down, Hemlock Grove, and Richie Rich faded quietly, despite The Get Down's acclaim and $120 million budget.
With over 100 million subscribers—per Netflix Now Has 100 Million Subscribers—Netflix prioritizes hits for financial health. Survival of the fittest. Be grateful for what aired; rewatch anytime while they develop broader appeals.
Look forward, not back.
Not every cancellation stings, but Sense8 did. Shows have shelf lives; fatigue sets in. Even Doctor Who paused 16 years, reviving in 2005 amid sci-fi demand.
Producer choices or personal burnout erode appeal. Better to end strong than drag like The Simpsons (compare "Lisa the Vegetarian" to "Lisa Goes Gaga"), Dexter, Lost, The Office (US), Nip/Tuck, Heroes, Family Guy, or CSI spinoffs.
Netflix proves it listens: Sense8 got a two-hour finale (Netflix Brings Sense8 Back for One Final Episode), and pricey The Crown runs to its natural end, valuing closure.
Netflix craves cultural buzz over raw views—buzz drives views. It aims to dominate like in Netflix vs. Hulu vs. Amazon Prime: Which One Should You Choose?.
Iron Fist sparked debate, topping Marvel views in 2017 despite criticism, earning renewal. Social chatter from Daredevil Season 2 birthed The Punisher. No buzz? Cancellation is final. Paid promo can't match fan hype.
Content chief Ted Sarandos notes the shift: Netflix wants original hits, even culling its catalog by 50% since 2012 to fund them (Netflix Removes 50% of Its Catalog to Fund Original Content). Cancellations like Girlboss solidify this (Netflix Keeps Canceling Its Best Original Shows).
Does Netflix's original focus bother you? Prefer recycled content or more cuts for diverse tastes? Comment below.
