There are more Netflix originals than acquired titles on Netflix

 A new study reports that, for the first time, most of the new releases that are coming to Netflix are originals as opposed to acquired titles.

Deadline reports that a new study done by the UK-based research firm Ampere Analysis states that, as of December 2018 and for the first time in the history of the streaming service, the majority of titles being released on Netflix were original content as opposed to content acquired from somewhere else and put on the platform.

The fact that Netflix now has a majority of original content on their service puts them firmly in line with a strategy they have tried to emulate for a very long time, that to create a safety net between them and their rivals they must rely less on acquired content to entice new and returning customers and instead try to offer high-quality original content that can only be viewed on Netflix.

While Netflix was the first large streaming service and in many ways pioneered the direct-to-consumer content platform there have been major competitors that have arisen throughout the years such as Hulu and Amazon Prime Video. Both of these companies have seen success with their award-winning original content like The Handmaid’s Tale and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel but what sets Netflix apart is that they are focused on both quality AND quantity and this new report illustrates that strategy exactly.

In the lead up to last December, this division of originals to licensed content was at 51 percent original content and 49 percent acquired content up drastically from December 2016 when the division was only 25 percent original content and 75 percent acquired content, according to the report.

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What is a “Netflix original,” though? While original content can mean different things for different programs, for Netflix, it generally refers to any series or feature that was either taken from script to screen entirely by Netflix or was developed through a partnership between Netflix and some other company, per Deadline.

Another main reason that Netflix is continually pushing for more and more new original content is because of the upcoming release of Disney’s new streaming service, which will see a lot of acquired content taken away from Netflix. With Warner Media and NBCUniversal also planning streaming services, the market could become even more competitive very quickly. Netflix is hoping to avoid any bumps when that does happen by stocking their library with great original content that people will be coming back to again and again to watch.

Indeed, Netflix has been successful in creating original content that is becoming must watch TV such as Stranger Things, Black Mirror, The Haunting of Hill House, Orange is the New Black, The Crown, Riverdale and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina to name just a few. Netflix will look to continue this trend based on the model that they have clearly established based on this study.

I think that this is a positive development for Netflix and this strategy makes sense to me as a consumer. Much of the acquired content that we view on Netflix now will always be available to us elsewhere whether or not it gets taken away from the streaming service. Originals, however, will always only be on Netflix, and as a viewer, I always get more excited when I see original content releases because I know I have never seen it before. That continuous stream of surprise and delight I get from that content has been one of my favorite things about the streaming platform in recent years. Whenever I see that Netflix original banner, I get excited but it comes with it a certain stamp of quality I can expect in the program.

Another development that I think will be the result of this news is how Netflix currently runs its original content. Right now, with the exception of their really popular shows, most Netflix series only run for maybe three seasons or so. With a clear focus on original content, I think we can expect to see Netflix giving their series more chances and continue some of them further than what can normally be expected.

While exact stats on shows are hard to come by, we can tell that shows like Orange is the new Black continue to be popular just by the sheer number of seasons that show has. I would predict that this effect will be seen more in the future with other Netflix original series.

Finally, I think that this news will also mean more varied original content. Netflix already has a good track record of keeping all of their original content distinct and varied. I think we can expect to see more of that if the streaming service wants to remain the most popular among the market. Being a platform where everybody can find something that appeals to them is an important part of that popularity and more original content will mean more varied and targeted content for certain audience spectrums.

Overall this is very exciting news to me and I think a focus on original content will keep Netflix interesting and fun to watch for years to come.