Netflix is facing increased competition from services such as Prime Video, which is bundled with an Amazon Prime subscription – some £79 per year. Not only has the company found an audience for shows like Jessica Jones, Daredevil, and Master of None, Sarandos said, but original shows make it easier for Netflix to reach a truly global audience. Now, there’s expectations that Apple is working on a streaming service that would compete directly with Netflix.
Advertisement
Netflix Inc (NFLX.O) will focus on developing its own content next year and almost double the number of original shows to 31 from 16, Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said on Monday.
In addition to comments about more programming, Sarandos also expressed interest in Netflix launching its own sports league.
There are more bidders than ever these days. Thats not completely out of the question or anything, especially since Netflix Originals numbers arent tethered to the Live+Same Night or Live+7 ratings windows that TV shows abide by.
Netflix has been ramping up production of original series designed for specific markets around the world, Sarandos said, including Mexico and France. That’s probably many years in the making, but it’s one possible avenue Netflix could move into beyond TV and movies. “Some of the content is remarkably interchangeable”, he said.
As you may know or suspect, Game of Thrones is thought to be the most watched show on cable television in the U.S. and United Kingdom (if we had the equivalent).
Advertisement
Netflix’s future lies in global markets, according to Sarandos. Some of the most buzzed-about shows include Marvel’s Luke Cage, Full House reboot Fuller House, an adaptation of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events and a Judd Apatow-produced dramedy Love. “Now we are global buyers, and buying global rights to shows and movies, and there is some resistance to it, mostly from the regional sellers, people who are in charge of regional selling, who don’t want their jobs marginalized”. He suggested a deal expected to start with Walt Disney could be the last of the big pacts Netflix does with studios. “When you say, ‘We have the Star Wars movies, that means something to our customers”, he said.
