As a long-time gamer who’s spent countless hours navigating digital worlds, I find myself increasingly frustrated with Netflix’s latest release strategy. The decision to split seasons like Outer Banks into two parts is as confusing as trying to beat a boss level without knowing the secret move.
It appears that all shows like “Bridgerton“, “Stranger Things”, “Emily in Paris”, and recently “Outer Banks” share a common factor: they are all subject to Netflix’s recent release strategy, which divides seasons into two parts. While I appreciate the concept of binge-watching, this new approach of dividing shows into segments doesn’t sit well with me and seems less effective.
It seems Netflix executives haven’t explicitly stated the reason behind transitioning away from releasing an entire season at once, a strategy they initially popularized. However, many believe the primary motivation is financial, as prolonging the gap between episodes could discourage viewers from canceling their subscriptions after a release, thereby ensuring a steady income stream.
It’s evident they aim to distribute the final season of Outer Banks in two releases, spaced about a month apart. The amusing aspect is that Netflix could easily solve their own predicament by adopting a single release strategy, which would delight them and silence the numerous criticisms from fans who dislike the two-part plan.
Instead of their current approach, they could choose to mimic traditional broadcasting and successful streaming services by airing episodes on a weekly basis, just like numerous shows scheduled for 2024. While this method may receive some criticism as a return to “old-school” television viewing, the advantages are substantial – at least from my perspective, particularly with regards to Outer Banks.
Weekly Episodes Help Fan Theories And Conversations Thrive
From a viewer’s perspective, it’s incredibly exciting that new episodes could be released weekly. This would give fans time to watch an episode, ponder about the plot developments, and speculate on what might happen next – especially for gripping series like Outer Banks. The chance to engage in weekly discussions about the Pogues’ treasure hunt on social media would have added a fun layer of anticipation and interaction.
This season, we might have maintained its relevance and potentially turned it into a significant pop culture hit, similar to shows like “Ted Lasso” and “The Last of Us.” However, instead, an unexpected hiatus seems imminent, which may leave us with even more unanswered questions. Releasing episodes on a weekly basis could have prolonged its impact, as these shows have shown great success with that approach.
Remember Shows Is Easier When Watched Across Weeks Or Months
One advantage often overlooked when discussing weekly releases is their ability to aid viewers in recalling the content they’re watching. I’ve lost count of the number of series I’ve binge-watched only to forget about them shortly after because I consumed ten episodes within a 48-hour span. While two-part drops have certainly helped reduce this need for immediate consumption, it hasn’t entirely resolved the issue.
Fans are rushing to finish episodes swiftly to dodge spoilers, and now they’re doing it on two separate occasions, at times within a single month. Opting for this strategy also heightens the role of awkward mid-season cliffhangers that merely serve to maintain viewer interest until the second part is released later. In my personal experience, this tactic frequently backfires, as I tend to forget to revisit the subsequent episodes of shows due to the unnatural gap between installments.
Netflix Isn’t Stopping With Just Two-Part Releases, Either
To put things into perspective, it’s important to note that Netflix didn’t create the practice of dividing stories into two parts. This trend has roots in theatrical film releases, where popular series such as Dune, Harry Potter, The Twilight Saga, and others aimed to generate more revenue from fans by splitting the final books into two films. AMC Television also contributed to this trend by dividing seasons of Breaking Bad and Mad Men. However, it seems that Netflix intends to continue using this approach, as evidenced by recent announcements about Outer Banks.
Instead of dividing it into just two sections, Netflix has decided to further split Season 6 of Cobra Kai, with the concluding chapters not expected until 2025. A weekly rollout would have been more suitable for the martial arts comedy-drama, potentially keeping viewers engaged as they’d have fewer gaps between seasons and would be less likely to forget about the series.
Regrettably, our ability as spectators is limited in this situation. If we don’t tune in to these shows, they may get canceled – something nobody wants. I can only wish that Netflix understands the potential harm they are causing themselves and at least attempts to air one of their popular series on a weekly basis. It would have been ideal to experiment with this approach for a series like Outer Banks, considering its dedicated fanbase, but it seems that won’t be an option.
On October 10th and again on November 7th, we’ll need to sign in to Netflix using our active accounts to watch the fourth and last season.
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2024-08-29 23:37