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If memory serves me correctly, Netflix's ongoing issues with negotiating access to major film studio or major TV network content without going broke spurred the

If memory serves me correctly, Netflix's ongoing issues with negotiating access to major film studio or major TV network content without going broke spurred them into the business of 'content creator' status. I mean, they hired professionals and really just joined in the game their own way, and now they're piling up compelling, high-draw programming. Programming that would be going to AMC or FX or even ABC maybe. They're tapping into some film production as well, time will tell if the results are financial winners (that's the yard stick - not if people like it, does it make money). I've been looking into film and TV production for years as an outsider and come across several mentions that Netflix pays extremely well and is incredibly picky about their productions. So they're in the game to play for keeps it seems. "Come for the Netflix originals, but stay for some binge TV or the occasional random flick like a big on-demand shifting library!" as a tag-line sort of works.

logfromblammo 10y ago
Implicitly, Netflix is pointing out to the studios that they may be charging more to license their content than what it costs to produce a directly competing property from scratch. Why, for instance, should I pay as much for a season of X-Files reruns as for the production of an entirely new series of Stranger Things? Why would I pay as much for episodes of The Sopranos, that I have already seen, and have on DVD, instead of another new series of Lillyhammer? I wouldn't, and neither would Netflix. The original content is a reminder to the owners of distribution rights that Netflix is the one who owns the ball, and they're the ones that will be taking it with them if they decide to go home and play alone. And Netflix originals are getting nominated for Emmy Awards, in competition with AMC and HBO shows. Producing exclusive original content was absolutely the correct play for Netflix at the time they decided to do it, and remains so for the present.

logfromblammo 10y ago

Implicitly, Netflix is pointing out to the studios that they may be charging more to license their content than what it costs to produce a directly competing property from scratch. Why, for instance, should I pay as much for a season of X-Files reruns as for the production of an entirely new series of Stranger Things? Why would I pay as much for episodes of The Sopranos, that I have already seen, and have on DVD, instead of another new series of Lillyhammer? I wouldn't, and neither would Netflix. The original content is a reminder to the owners of distribution rights that Netflix is the one who owns the ball, and they're the ones that will be taking it with them if they decide to go home and play alone. And Netflix originals are getting nominated for Emmy Awards, in competition with AMC and HBO shows. Producing exclusive original content was absolutely the correct play for Netflix at the time they decided to do it, and remains so for the present.