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Netflix Licensed Content Generates 80% of US Viewing, Study Finds (variety.com)

Posted by msmash on from the closer-look dept.

Netflix is spending a pretty penny on original entertainment -- but while that stuff grabs most of the headlines, it's actually licensed titles like TV show reruns that still form the core of the company's streaming business. From a report: That's according to a data analysis from 7Park Data, which found that 80% of Netflix U.S. viewing is from licensed content with 20% from original shows like "House of Cards" or "Stranger Things." The firm also found that 42% of Netflix subscribers watch mostly licensed content (95% or more of their total streaming). Just 18% of Netflix's U.S. streaming customers are "originals dominant," whose viewing comprises 40%-100% of originals, according to 7Park. The data is for the 12-month period that ended September 2017.

8 of 109 comments (clear)

  1. On the other side of the coin: by GrandCow · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Netflix original content now drives 20% of viewership.

    That's goddam amazing considering how long they've actually been making original content. OPs title tries to make this seem like a bad thing, it's not. Were they supposed to take 50% of all views within a couple years?

    --
    "Well kids, you tried your best, and you failed. The lesson is, never try." -Homer Simpson
    1. Re:On the other side of the coin: by rtb61 · · Score: 3, Interesting

      There is quite bit of difference between making content and paying a production house to make content for you. Still quite an impressive list https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... and it goes on https://media.netflix.com/en/o.... Of course http://www.news.com.au/technol..., NewsCorpse who own Fox, think it is a really bad idea, competing against their content is an extremely bad idea.

      Now that explains why Netflix went from friend to last millenniums content dinosaurs to being the enemy to be cut off from content (I dare say, the more popular Netflix become the more they wanted to charge Netflix, Netflix's response fine, we will make our own, see you at the bargaining table).

      --
      Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
    2. Re:On the other side of the coin: by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Netflix original content now drives 20% of viewership.

      Up from 12% a year ago. So the OC portion of their business is growing rapidly. According to TFA, they spent $8B on content last year, but it doesn't say how much they spent on licensed content vs original content. Their 2017 revenue was about $12B, so 2/3 of that went to pay for content.

    3. Re:On the other side of the coin: by zifn4b · · Score: 3, Funny

      That's goddam amazing considering how long they've actually been making original content. OPs title tries to make this seem like a bad thing, it's not

      Paid for by your friends at the cable companies. We're just looking out for your best interest which is paying 10x the premium for less quality content and don't forget our wonderful advertisements!

      --
      We'll make great pets
    4. Re:On the other side of the coin: by ArhcAngel · · Score: 3, Insightful

      The problem is though, that they are increasing OC at the expense of catalogue size.

      They aren't sacrificing anything. The studios they license content from are pulling content or increasing the the licensing terms to exorbitant amounts as they try to capitalize on Netflix's success or are terrified of it cannibalizing theirs...which in some areas it is. Netflix's OC of the Marvel characters was unexpectedly a huge hit. Which may explain why Disney is taking all of their content and rolling out their own competing streaming service.

      --
      "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - K
  2. Duh? by TFlan91 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Most of Netflix's content is licensed material, it would make sense that viewed content matches the same rough estimate of percentages.

    I mean, they say it themselves, Netflix is *pushing* their original content and ramping it up. The numbers in those campaigns start low and then get high.

    Who watches House of Cards or Stranger Things more than once, twice at most, in a given decades span of time, and this survey was 12 months long.

  3. Re:OK, but what does Netflix Original mean? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    Netflix participates in production of original material, but also the other parties have rights of ditribution.

    Only a part of the netflix original content is netflix exclusive.

    in other words:

    original != exclusive distribution.

  4. Re:Exactly! by l0n3s0m3phr34k · · Score: 3, Informative

    Sucks to be you / them, because it's the last "couple of years" that Netflix has really hit a decent scifi stride. "Stranger Things", "Altererd Carbon" (what the new Blade Runner should have been like), "Lost in Space", all their Marvel series...

    But I'm assuming your a troll because your posting anon.