In recent news, Netflix finds itself in the familiar position of canceling yet another promising series. Variety has reported that despite the streaming giant’s satisfaction with the show and the dedicated efforts put into its production, the viewership numbers fell short of the threshold necessary to greenlight a second season.
It is disheartening to witness Netflix’s growing tendency to prematurely halt shows. Although the streamer claims to be “very pleased” with the series, the mere 40 million viewing hours were deemed insufficient to warrant a continuation. It begs the question: should a show not be given a chance to develop and organically attract an audience over time? While I personally did not watch this particular series due to the overwhelming array of options available, it is crucial to address the concerns arising from this approach to content creation.
While exceptional hits like Squid Game, Stranger Things, Wednesday, or Night Agent do emerge, they are indeed the exceptions rather than the norm. Most shows do not achieve such staggering success, but that does not imply they lack the potential to grow into larger hits down the line.
As previously mentioned, today’s audiences face an abundance of choices, making it difficult for them to immediately embrace a new show. They often prefer to wait and see if the series gains traction before investing their time. Unfortunately, the very act of cancellation itself adds to this hesitation. Personally, I have refrained from starting new Netflix shows, fearing they might be abruptly canceled, resulting in wasted time. This trend inadvertently becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, ultimately eroding trust in Netflix as a reliable brand. By relying solely on rigid metrics rather than considering subscriber sentiment, Netflix risks alienating its audience.
From a writer’s perspective, it feels personal. Stories, in my opinion, deserve proper closure. Netflix should strive to finish what it starts, except in cases where a show performs abysmally or proves to be of poor quality. Lockwood and Co., for instance, garnered praise from Netflix and enjoyed a devoted fan base. Nevertheless, it has met an untimely demise due to these metrics-driven decisions. The entire situation is disheartening and raises concerns about the future of storytelling.
In conclusion, another Netflix show faces cancellation due to underwhelming viewership, leaving viewers and fans disenchanted. This recurring pattern of premature endings has sparked doubts and diminished the trust of subscribers. As Netflix continues its content creation journey, striking a balance between metrics and viewer satisfaction will be crucial to preserve the platform’s integrity and keep audiences engaged in captivating narratives.
By: Amelia Oliver
Author
