Netflix wants half of its programming to be original content

[Shawn Knight]

Netflix currently plays host to a wealth of original content including favorites like House of Cards (which introduced viewers to the concept of full season releases) and Orange Is the New Black as well as more recent hits such as Stranger Things and Fuller House (a sequel to the original Full House that ended abruptly in 1995).

It should come as little surprise that Netflix is planning to churn out even more original programming in the coming years.

During a speaking engagement at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia conference on Tuesday, Netflix CFO David Wells said they aim to have half of their content be original productions over the next few years. At this point, they’re roughly “one-third to halfway” there already, he added.

Hitting that goal won’t come cheap. As Variety notes, Netflix projects content spending on a profit / loss basis to hit $5 billion this year and climb to more than $6 billion in 2017.

Earlier this year, content chief Ted Sarandos said Netflix expects to launch 600 hours of original programming in 2016, up from just 450 hours last year.

Wells said his company’s upcoming original content will consist of a mix of content owned and produced by Netflix as well as co-productions and acquisitions. What’s more, not everything it puts out has to be a breakout hit so long as it is commensurate with what it costs to make it.

The good news on that front is that the cost of content production has declined, partially a result of supply and demand leveling out.

Oh, and subscribers will be happy to hear that Netflix currently has no plans to introduce an ad-supported version as Wells said the brand stands for no advertising.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/66407-netflix-wants-half-programming-original-content.html

 

[GreenNova343]

That's actually a pretty good idea. They seem to have been on a role recently, what with the true originals (like Stranger Things) & "original" series that used to be on network channels (like Longmire) being available. I've been impressed with the series they've had so far.

 

[Uncle Al]

It's a good idea, but original content today??? Sure, we have some of it, but it's getting more and more scarce. Far too many "remakes" and copy cats......way too many!

 

[wiyosaya]

If you like Marvell Comics, I'll suggest Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage - starting September 30, Iron Fist (upcoming), and the four of them together in The Defenders (also upcoming). In addition, Marvel's "The Punisher" is also upcoming.

IMO, Daredevil and Jessica Jones were very well done, and not, IMO, crappy remakes. Because of the violence level, they may not be for everyone, but they are also deep. From The Punisher's appearance in Daredevil, IMO, there is a lot of promise for that series, too. Luke Cage was in Jessica Jones, and his appearance there has me eagerly awaiting the series. I've seen trailers for Iron Fist, and that looks like it may be top-notch, too.

Stranger Things was also very good and was not a remake.

I'm pretty picky about what I watch knowing all too well the garbage that has cropped up in the past, but I was not disappointed.

 

[IAMTHESTIG]

Eventually all these on-demand television and movie providers will be mostly or completely self-created content, and the whole 'got you by the balls' battle will begin. It will be just like cable networks were 10 years ago when if you wanted HBO you had to go with a certain provider or pay outrageous prices to get them. It will go full circle... just watch.

That being said the no advertisements claim makes me happy, I just hope its true. If anything at least that is a win for us. Old school cable and dish networks charge you up the a$$ AND you still have to watch a ton of ads.

 

[psycros]

"It will be just like cable networks were 10 years ago when if you wanted HBO you had to go with a certain provider or pay outrageous prices to get them"

Every cable carrier I've ever heard of has HBO so I'm not sure what you mean. The prices for the optional channels have always been about the same on every provider..maybe 20% difference at most.

As for the Netflix's "50% original content" scheme, the only way that happens is if Netflix drops about two-thirds of the shows they carry from other networks. That seems rather stupid unless their pretty sure the studios are about to start colluding with cable carries to create the kind of deals you suggested HBO had.

 

[dirtyferret]

It's a smart move by netflix although I don't know if they have the cash reserve to carry that kind of library. Most of their original content is carry over from the BBC (and SKY) or re-make of BBC shows. It's obvious networks like HBO & Showtime, along with Netflix and Amazon see original content series as far more valuable then some big budget hollywood movies.

 

[toooooot]

I dont mind it, as long as the other half is the stuff like super hero series and popular movies.