Here’s Why Netflix Is Canceling So Many of Your Favorite Shows
In case you’re lamenting the news of Sense8′s cancellation and wondering why on Earth Netflix would just up and nix it with next to zero warning (along with other faves such as Bloodline, The Get Down, and Marco Polo), you’re not alone. It’s not uncommon for shows that don’t perform well to be canceled (check out this year’s most crushing blows here), but it’s somewhat new territory for the still-fledgling network, which has only been releasing original content for about four years, taking us all by surprise.
Now, the company’s CEO, Reed Hastings, who notoriously keeps viewership numbers private, has explained his reasoning as to why the streaming network is making such big changes, and it’s not one you might expect.
According to Hastings, it all comes down to the simple fact that Netflix’s “…hit ratio is way too high.” Nice problem to have, right? While this logic may seem counterintuitive, it actually makes sense when he explains it, saying that a company also needs to fail from time to time to avoid getting into a safe zone. “We have to take more risk; you have to try more crazy things.”
After all, it’s those risks that result in unexpected runaway hits such as 13 Reasons Why. “It surprised us,” he reveals. “It’s a great show, but we didn’t realize how it would catch on.”
Essentially, it also allows the Network more room (and funds!) for, oh, say, new episodes of Arrested Development, and the fan-generated Lupita Nyong’o and Rihanna movie, but be warned — more cancellations will likely be in the network’s future. “We should have a higher cancellation rate overall,” Hastings said.
All the more incentive to binge-watch as much as we can while they’re still around this summer!
What’s your favorite Netflix Show? Tell us @BritandCo!
(h/t HelloGiggles; photos via Netflix + Getty)
