I am reminded of an interview with Joe Satriani. The interviewer asked if he was worried about recording contracts given that he is not hugely popular. His answ

I am reminded of an interview with Joe Satriani. The interviewer asked if he was worried about recording contracts given that he is not hugely popular. His answer was something along the lines of: I may not be as popular as some, but studios also do not have to spend buckets of money on advertising and marketing when I release an album. My smallish fanbase will buy my albums when they come out regardless. I suspect Netflix is in a better position (now) to cater to those type of fans than Fox was then. Too late for firefly, unfortunately.