In recent months Netflix has been looking for ways to continue its astronomical growth over the past decade.
While it can be argued that there is a point where critical mass is hit and numbers begin to plateau, the streaming platform is not content with that and has been eyeing ways to shake up its current model.
We have already seen one such initiative begin to take shape, with an ad-supported tier of the platform set to roll out to select regions later this year.
While that may be one way to garner more subscribers, the other issue Netflix must address is losing its long-time viewers. As we saw during its most recent financial quarter, the platform lost subscribers, not to mention the fact that Disney+, Apple TV+ and HBO Max continue to gain momentum in chasing down Netflix for the reigning streaming crown.
To potentially keep its audiences more interested, Netflix could do the unthinkable and switch from its bingewatching model to one that is in line with the more traditional week-to-week.
It is unclear why Netflix would choose to drop the model that made it so famous in the first place and made bingewatching a part of the lexicon, but in a recent profile of co-founder Reed Hastings by Puck (paywall), there may be value in going week-to-week.
“Netflix says there’s no hard evidence that week-to-week episodes reduce subscriber churn, but the Netflix churn rate has been inching higher, and it is now the only streamer with a default all-at-once strategy,” the publication writes.
If the platform did indeed decide to switch, it would be quite the about turn by Hastings, who has resisted any calls to change things up for many years now.
That said, given that the likes of Disney+ do it with most of its original shows and found success with the The Mandalorian and others on the back of it, perhaps there is scope for Netflix to do the same.
We are of the opinion though that it is content that drives engagement and retention, which is something that has faltered in recent years ay Netflix.
With the notable exceptions of shows like Stranger Things, Squid Game and Arcane, which have made their way into the cultural zeitgeist, the number of serial winners in the catalogue are a little slim compared to the massive amounts of content available to stream.
Either way, it will be interesting to see what the subscriber reaction would be to such a move.
