Is Netflix capable of making fewer (but better) movies?

The streaming giant is restructuring its teams, which will willy-nilly lead to a decrease in the number of feature films it produces each year.

If 2020 and its confinements strengthened the video streaming market, the following years will have been less positive, with SVOD platforms even observing drops in the number of subscribers. The sector must therefore evolve and question itself.

A ” restructuring », therefore layoffs

The film division is structured into three teams at Netflix: one for small projects under $30 million, one for large budgets over $80 million, and one in between, for medium budgets. It is the small and medium budget units that will be merged, at least for the time being, with the consequence of a ” handle of dismissals.

The announcement comes as no surprise, however, as the company has maintained a blistering pace over the past two years. She has, in fact, managed to release at least one film per week over this period. But for what result? Only a few titles, like Don’t Look Up Or Glass Onionhave received critical and viewer acclaim, and have garnered millions of viewing hours.

Quality over quantity

The company, which has dominated the market for several years, must face increasingly strong competition. If Prime Video manages to do well, studios like Disney and Paramount have also launched their own SVOD service, reducing the number of (good?) licenses granted to Netflix, which must fill holes in its catalog.

However, quantity is not always synonymous with quality. This is clearly understood by Scott Stuber, head of the cinema division at Netflix, who must now ensure that future films have a greater impact on viewers. Especially since with the increase in prices and the end of account sharing, the latter will need good arguments to stay or subscribe.

Source : Engadget