In case you somehow missed it, Netflix has been raking in the accolades and the critical praise for its original programming. Shows like Arrested Development, Orange is the New Black, House of Cards, Jessica Jones, and Daredevil keep people subscribed. Netflix shows are some of the most anticipated programming to come out of “television” in a while.
It’s a gambit that paid off. Netflix knows their customer base pretty well, and they took a risk by developing their own programming, which is especially helpful as the streaming market continues to diversify, and some studios and networks look for options outside of Netflix. Amazon and Hulu are the big names, but there are a bunch of other companies crowding the marketplace, with some offering anything they can get their hands on, while others go for niches, like Japanese animation or documentaries.
Amazon and Hulu are also putting out their own exclusive content. Even Yahoo! has tried to get in on the action with Community, and rumor has it the upcoming Star Trek series will be available exclusively on CBS’s streaming service. That might backfire on CBS, and neither Amazon nor Hulu has quite hit the nail on the head like Netflix has yet, but that could change.
Netflix, however, is doubling down on new programming, almost literally, and will be delivering 31 new programs next year instead of the expected 16. They apparently have 10 films, 30 kids’ shows, 12 documentaries, 10 stand-up specials, and two documentary series that they are working on at the moment. That comes in addition to new dramas already in production, like Luke Cage, as well as more seasons of established shows like Orange is the New Black.
It’s kind of silly to announce that any new technology or development is the “death” of something else, but it seems like original, streaming programs are going to put television on the defensive. And Netflix is leading the charge.
