With nearly 150 million subscribers around the world, Netflix has a commanding lead in the streaming wars. But it’s also facing heavy competition from deep-pocketed conglomerates like Disney, Apple, and AT&T, and an ongoing wave of narrow, targeted streaming sites like CBS All Access and DC Universe, which can draw on popular existing franchises for original content. As fewer companies are willing to license out their films and shows to other streaming sites, Netflix is pouring billions of dollars annually into its own original content. Follow along with The Verge as we look at Netflix’s new films and shows, its evolving strategies against new entrants in the market, and how it’s leveraging its technological and marketing lead.
Ahead of the debut of Rebel Moon — The Director’s Cut debuting this August, Netflix has whipped up a red band trailer that — compared to the film’s multi-hour runtime — feels like exactly the right amount of Zack Snyder you should consume in one sitting.
In Netflix’s earnings report today, the streamer says bundling with other services like Disney Plus and Max “limits the benefit” to Netflix:
We haven’t bundled Netflix solely with other streamers like Disney+ or Max because Netflix already operates as a go-to destination for entertainment... This has driven industry leading penetration, engagement and retention for us, which limits the benefit to Netflix of bundling directly with other streamers.
When asked about bundling with competitors on Decoder in June, Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters said “never say never.”
While Apple TV Plus has previously dabbled in the movie licensing game to supplement its lineup of original projects, Bloomberg reports that talks are underway with other studios that could lead to the streamer looking a little differ (and perhaps more like Netflix) in the near future.
There will be plenty of traditional television series like Shōgun and The Bear in the running at the 76th Emmys in September. But given how many Netflix, HBO, Apple TV Plus, Disney Plus, and Amazon projects were just nominated for awards, this year’s competition seems like it could easily go to the streamers.
[The Hollywood Reporter]
Netflix announced it’s adding a slew of AMC shows on August 19th. They include Preacher, The Terror, Into The Badlands, and the first season of the extremely good Interview With The Vampire. These shows used to be sequestered on AMC Plus, requiring yet another subscription fee to watch. But their Netflix arrival shows cross-platform cooperation ain’t just for Xbox and PlayStation anymore.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Disney is trying to make its streaming platforms work and feel more like Netflix. For example:
New features in the works at Disney include a more-personalized algorithm to power content recommendations, customized promotional art for new shows and movies based on subscriber’s tastes and usage history, and emails sent to viewers who stop watching in the middle of a series reminding them to finish, according to people familiar with the matter.
There’s lots more in the full story.
That’s a new limited series coming to Netflix from Haley Z. Boston and Upside Down Pictures (the production company launched by Stranger Things co-creators Matt and Ross Duffer).
“According to the logline, the series will follow a bride and groom in the week leading up to their ill-fated wedding,” says Netflix. “And obviously, it’s not a spoiler to share that not all goes right with the nuptials.”
We all knew the Stranger Things kids would look a bit older for the show’s fifth and final season, but seeing them all back in Hawkins High in this new behind the scenes video really emphasizes how the show’s last chapter can’t get here fast enough.
There was some hope that The Umbrella Academy might switch up its formula and give the Hargreeves siblings a new kind of adventure for the show’s fourth and final season (out August 8th.)
But Netflix’s new trailer kinda makes it seem like they’ll be doing what they always do — averting an apocalypse of their own making.
Much like MTV News and its archives, Pimp My Ride is no longer with us, but Netflix’s new car restoration show Resurrection Rides looks like it’ll be the next best thing when it premieres on July 24th.
There are a bunch of new games available on Netflix today! Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit is out now, as is The Case of the Golden Idol. If you like those Netflix interactive fiction games, then Netflix Stories: Perfect Match will be right for you, or just play some Hearts. Also, while not available today the streamer has announced that Thirsty Suitors is coming to the platform soon.
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Not long after detailing its first retail stores, Netflix has expanded into yet another new avenue: snacks. The company partnered with Popcorn Indiana on flavored popcorn you can buy at Wal-mart. Personally, I think hot dogs would’ve been a better fit.
4 great games I played at Summer Game Fest 2024
An adorable platformer, mythological tower defense, RPG / puzzle hybrid, and open-world Star Wars.
What will we find there? NBC Sports writer Denny Carter might have the best guess, from this 2017 tweet:
Typical QB tweet: love my teammates god is good!
RB tweet: keep grindin
TE tweet: derp
WR tweet: the enemy speaks kindly & holds a knife
Following last year’s Quarterback series, Receiver premieres on Netflix on July 10th.
About three years after becoming VP of Netflix Games, Mike Verdu gave this statement to GamesIndustry.biz:
I am so proud of what we’ve accomplished, and excited to start a new team at Netflix on the cutting edge of game innovation.
He will apparently stay on as VP until a replacement is found and then work on “new technologies” (maybe something in the cloud?) in game development.
[GamesIndustry.biz]
the first Wake Up Dead Man set photo just dropped. It doesn’t reveal much about the next Benoit Blanc mystery, which started filming today, but it does confirm the detective will be sporting a new look in 2025.
And he’ll be joined by quite the cast, including: Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church.
An AI PC you’ll want to tinker with
Plus, in this week’s Installer: a hit movie about a hit man, an FBI tech caper, an app for managing media, and much more.