Is Netflix Breaking News becoming a relic of the past? In a surprising turn of events, the algorithm takes the spotlight with the success of ‘Baby Reindeer,’ as praised by Ted Sarandos! Stay tuned as we delve into this intriguing twist in the world of streaming media.
Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, recently revealed in an extensive interview with The New York Times that breaking news is simply not in the cards for the streaming giant. Even though the platform has expanded into realms such as live sports and other events, Sarandos is firm on keeping away from the live news sector. “We don’t do breaking news and that kind of thing, because there are plenty of other outlets for it. People aren’t coming to us for that,” he stated.
Why Netflix Shies Away from News Streaming
According to Sarandos, Netflix aims to focus on other content since the audience primarily seeks entertainment and not news on the platform. An anonymous agent echoed this sentiment to CNN, saying, “The entertainment platforms are not interested in news. Their audiences don’t want it, and it can be polarizing. It’s just not worth it for them.” This absence of live or pretaped news shows indicates Netflix’s reluctance to dive into a potentially divisive area.
Algorithmic Success: The Case of ‘Baby Reindeer’
One of the noticeable successes credited to Netflix’s algorithm is the British hit Baby Reindeer. Sarandos mentioned that earlier, such shows may not have been seen outside their country of origin. However, the Netflix algorithm plays a pivotal role in amplifying popular content across borders. “When something gets that big in one country, it’s likely there’s a lot of audience for it outside of that country,” he explained. As a result, Baby Reindeer has become an enormous hit worldwide.
Global Appeal Without Americanization
Sarandos believes that international series can thrive in the U.S. without being tailored to American tastes. “If your TV series works in the home country, it’s got to be very authentic,” he said. Authenticity, according to him, is what attracts international audiences. He asserted that attempting to engineer content to appeal globally often results in it appealing to no one.
- Four of the top six shows on Netflix for the second half of 2023 were international programs.
- Titles like German miniseries Dear Child, France’s Lupin, and British shows Who Is Erin Carter? and Sex Education were high on the list.
- The top series was One Piece, a U.S.-Japan co-production.
Consumer-Centric Quality
Throughout the interview, Sarandos emphasized Netflix’s focus on the “consumer view of quality.” He highlighted shows like the live Tom Brady roast and Lindsay Lohan’s rom-com Irish Wish as prime examples. Despite mixed critical reviews, Sarandos believes the audience’s reaction is the true metric of success. “65 million people watched Irish Wish. It’s an enormous hit, and people love it,” he emphasized.
The Future and Internal Execution
When asked about the future, Sarandos expressed concerns about “internal execution.” With 270 million subscribers globally, he is focused on evolving Netflix without getting too wrapped up in past successes. He stressed the importance of balancing various genres, from movies and games to TV shows and stand-up comedy, to keep Netflix a versatile and engaging platform.
In Sarandos’ words, “We define quality from the perspective of the audience. If the audience loves the movie, it’s great. That’s quality. We want to please everybody, but some films are made for the audience that loves them, not for critics.”
So, while breaking news may not be part of Netflix’s strategy, the company’s dedication to quality entertainment content, guided by its algorithms, continues to bring global hits to diverse audiences.