Though Netflix is experiencing a tumultuous 2022, reporting a huge subscriber loss for the first time in 10 years, shifting away from its binge model could improve its prospects. Although Netflix is considered an early pioneer of the binge model, some of its competitors have been switching to a weekly release model for their original content. Among reports of other potential changes to Netflix’s platform, there has been suggestions that Netflix will join its competitors by implementing the weekly release model. There are definitely other factors contributing to Netflix’s subscriber issues, but shifting away from the binge model might be a positive change for the streaming giant.
Netflix’s release model that encourages binge-watching from its users helped establish it as the streaming giant that it is. However, some of Netflix’s contemporaries, such as HBO Max, have embraced a weekly release model akin to traditional television for their original content. While Netflix is still holding onto its binge model for the time being, which continues to garner views, there are rumors surfacing that the platform could join its competition and embrace weekly releases.
After its giant subscriber loss, Netflix’s future seems unclear for the first time in its history. The saturation of the streaming market makes it difficult for Netflix to stand out among its contemporaries in the way it used to, but shifting away from its famous binge model might be the positive change the streaming giant needs. The binge model has been a staple of Netflix for years, but with some shows being longer and thus less easy to binge, weekly episode releases could be beneficial. Though binge-watching continues to pull in viewers, weekly episode releases have a better chance of sustaining interest for longer, building conversation among viewers, and bringing in more fans, which could help combat Netflix’s subscriber issues. While the streaming platform does not seem to have intentions of entirely abandoning binge-watching, Netflix embracing weekly releases could spell good news for the platform’s future.
Why Netflix Should Change To Weekly Releases (For Some TV Shows)
Though Netflix has had success with its binge model, switching its format to weekly releases for some of their original TV shows could be a good change. Many of Netflix’s original shows are made to be binge-viewed, which has been an asset for the platform. However, as the streaming landscape has evolved, episode runtimes have increased, which makes it harder to watch a season all at once. Netflix’s Stranger Things has received criticism on this front regarding its most recent season. Binging multiple episodes that are over an hour long is unrealistic for many people, but it is almost necessary if viewers wish to avoid spoilers. Switching to a weekly release format for certain shows like Stranger Things would alleviate this issue, making it easier for viewers to keep up with longer episodes. Netflix has utilized weekly releases for some of its reality content, so it could potentially implement the format for fictional content as well.
Will Netflix End Binge-Watching? What We Know
Despite rumors that Netflix could switch from its binge model, it doesn’t seem like the platform currently has plans to do away with binge releases all together. Despite its drop in subscribers, Netflix’s shows continue to be binge-watched, demonstrating that the format still works. Netflix has been experimenting with other ways to release its original shows, such as splitting seasons into parts, as it did with Ozark season 4 and Stranger Things season 4. However, many of its biggest original series will continue to release full seasons rather than weekly episodes in the future, showing that Netflix has no intentions to completely abandon binge-watching. Though Netflix appears to be holding onto the binge model, its exploration of alternative release formats shows that this could potentially change in the future.
Will Changing To Weekly Releases Fix Netflix's Subscriber Problems?
One of the biggest issues facing Netflix in 2022 is how to retain its current subscribers after a massive loss during the year’s first quarter. The platform is exploring ways to accomplish this goal, such as price changes and including ads, and changing up its release format could be another way to retain subscribers. Weekly episode releases increase buzz around shows and give viewers a reason to keep returning to the platform, which would help with Netflix's subscriber problem. However, it is important to note that while changing to the weekly release model might help Netflix maintain its subscribers, the binge release model is not a major complaint of Netflix users. Netflix’s subscribers are tired of the streaming platform’s price hikes, diminishing library, the inconsistent quality of its original content, and cancelations of shows, leading them to pursue other streaming platforms. Though switching from its binge model might help, addressing the real problems that users have with the service is Netflix's best chance at fixing its subscriber issues.