Netflix has been growing its selection of original series over the years. But at the same time, the overall catalog has been shrinking. Since 2014, the website's offerings have decreased by 32%. Now, there's a total of 5,532 movies and TV shows available, down from the 8,103 that made up the catalog in January of 2014.
It's not obvious why the catalog cuts were made. It could be that Netflix merely cut the most unpopular titles in order to save money, or that renewal prices weren't practical enough for Netflix to continue streaming those titles. Regardless, this has some users wondering: Is Netflix worth the subscription costs?
Original Content is King
Since 2013, Netflix has pushed more and more into original shows and movies. This year, the company plans to approximately double its yearly output of original shows to 31, releasing 600 hours of original content. Netflix is leaning heavily towards both original series and movies, and that's because CEO Reed Hastings believes in their value.
"The more we have incredible value, the more we have amazing originals, then we are going to be able to ask consumers for more to be able to invest more," he said.
External Threats to the Catalog
Netflix isn't necessarily trying to increase profits by offering less. There are external threats to the catalog with which the company has to contend. Negotiating for rights is a part of the process, and a major problem could be that the bigger TV networks view Netflix as a threat. This could lead to them charging more for the rights to certain shows, and Netflix viewers seeing fewer of those shows.
Hulu and Amazon aren't necessarily helping the situation, either. As those streaming services snap up whatever viewing rights they can, licensing costs are being driven up.
Further Price Increases Could Be on the Horizon
Even if you're happy at the current price point, the cost of the monthly streaming plan is already set to increase again this year, to $9.99 per month. While original content is a big part of Netflix's future plan, producing those titles isn't cheap. That expense might mean seeing a further drop in the amount of titles in the overall catalog in order to make room for Netflix's original visions.
Is Netflix Still Worth It?
It certainly seems like Netflix users are about to pay even more for access to fewer titles overall — which is no one's idea of a good deal. However, the company does offer a slew of critically acclaimed original shows, like House of Cards, BoJack Horseman, Orange is the New Black, and many more.
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Netflix is also making a name for itself by providing a second chance for shows that major networks let die. Years after being cancelled, Arrested Development was brought back to Netflix for a fourth season. And Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt had originally been slated to air on NBC, but the network opted to sell the series to Netflix, where it earned a 2-season order. So is the streaming service worthy of your money? Ultimately, your answer will depend on how you feel about original content.
Readers, are you upset that Netflix's catalog is shrinking? Or would you rather watch its original shows any day? Sound off in the comments below!
I do enjoy some shows out of the UK/BBC/iTV. Broadchurch was one of the best shows I've ever seen. I don't get into shows that center around depravity, murder, lust and such.
I am really looking into PlayStation Vue, 100 Chanel's for under $50 with Epix. I have Netflix and Amazon Prime, Netflix just isn't doing it for me when some of the older stuff is showing up on Crackle. The only thing I really like about Amazon is there download and watch later and I have figured out a way to beat there 48 hour watch time and the redownload after watching rule. I told Amazon when you are on a 700 mile trip, you explain to a 5 yr old she can't watch Katty Perry again without redownloading the movie Lol.
So Amazon pays for exclusive rights to HBO's back catalog (other than HBONow itself) and the content gets pulled from Netflix. HBONow pays for exclusive rights to old Sesame Street seasons and they get pulled from Amazon and Netflix.
Original programming is the logical outgrowth of this approach.
I am excited about the emphasis on original content with Netflix. Coupled with the seasons of network shows they're carrying (Breaking Bad, Walking Dead, New Girl, etc.), it's hard not to feel bullish about Netflix's future and that of streaming in general. A $1 or $2 monthly increase is barely a blip on the radar.
And it's amazing how the quality and production values of Netflix originals are far superior to those of the big networks. For example, compare something like House of Cards to ABC's new show The Family. I really wanted to like The Family, but the plot lines, arcs, editing, writing, acting...they're all just subpar or downright bad. Doesn't hold a candle to House of Cards.
Keep doing what you're doing, Netflix. Traditional providers will soon find themselves on the wrong side of history.
When we dumped cable several years ago I had hoped to include other paid streaming services like Hulu and Vudu but so far we haven't been able to exhaust Netflix titles. And Netflix drops/adds stuff every month so it can be a bit of a game to plan watching titles before they get dropped.
I also get Netflix disks so there's that. Still finding gems on DVD/BD that we haven't seen or want to see again.