Netflix Reviving the Dead? Company Considers Saving Cancelled TV Shows

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Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has indicated that Netflix could conceivably expand its internet subscription service by giving cancelled or low-rated shows a second chance, reports Gigaom.com. In the same way that DirecTV made deals with NBC and FX, thereby extending Friday Night Lights and Damages, Netflix may work with broadcasters and cable networks to keep alive TV shows that are doing well on Netflix.

With the number of on-demand services available now, this seems a perfect opportunity for Netflix to distinguish itself from competition by jumping in with options that other companies don’t offer. In fact, Gigaom.com states that “DirecTV has decided against doing more show-saving deals in the future.” The number of shows on TV makes it impossible for viewers to watch all of them when they air live, often leaving critically acclaimed shows with low viewership to fall by the wayside. But when available through streaming services, the audience is able to start watching a show, catch up on missed episodes, and be enticed to continue watching on live show airings. Win-win for networks and Netflix!

What do you think of Netflix possibly starting this venture? This would have been (or would be?) great for shows such as Firefly or Stargate Universe.

By Cordelia | May 10, 2011 | 16 Comments

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Jaharp26

This would have been great for some of the shows that had been cancelled before, but what are the chances that already cancelled shows could continue on? Actors and writers have moved on and a lot would have to be done to bring back the cast and crew to pick up where the final episodes had left off. Establishing this will be beneficial for struggling shows that are still on the air, although, it seems most of the programs that I enjoy have already been terminated. This is a great idea and would give ‘executives’ in charge of making the decisions of keeping a show alive because of supposed ratings a better idea of the fan base a show actually has. I’m not sure how they accurately calculate ratings week to week but I feel it is skewed or even fabricated in some cases. (my prime reason that I think most reality shows are terrible and their popularity is inflated) I record at least 90% of what I watch onto my DVR mostly because of my schedule but also because I just don’t want to watch commercials and can view a show in about a 3/4′s the time it takes to watch it live. A subscription based service such as netflix would give an accurate count of the viewership of a program and could do very well if some of the shows are exclusive to such a service. I am not yet a subscriber to netflix and still pay for my satellite service just because of a couple of shows not offered on netflix. Having fan favorite programming on netflix that I couldn’t get on my satellite service would probably be enough of a reason for me and probably many others to subscribe.
Jaharp26

This would have been great for some of the shows that had been cancelled before, but what are the chances that already cancelled shows could continue on? Actors and writers have moved on and a lot would have to be done to bring back the cast and crew to pick up where the final episodes had left off. Establishing this will be beneficial for struggling shows that are still on the air, although, it seems most of the programs that I enjoy have already been terminated. This is a great idea and would give ‘executives’ in charge of making the decisions of keeping a show alive because of supposed ratings a better idea of the fan base a show actually has. I’m not sure how they accurately calculate ratings week to week but I feel it is skewed or even fabricated in some cases. (my prime reason that I think most reality shows are terrible and their popularity is inflated) I record at least 90% of what I watch onto my DVR mostly because of my schedule but also because I just don’t want to watch commercials and can view a show in about a 3/4′s the time it takes to watch it live. A subscription based service such as netflix would give an accurate count of the viewership of a program and could do very well if some of the shows are exclusive to such a service. I am not yet a subscriber to netflix and still pay for my satellite service just because of a couple of shows not offered on netflix. Having fan favorite programming on netflix that I couldn’t get on my satellite service would probably be enough of a reason for me and probably many others to subscribe.
tardis86

“This would have been great for some of the shows that had been cancelled
before, but what are the chances that already cancelled shows could
continue on? Actors and writers have moved on and a lot would have to be
done to bring back the cast and crew to pick up where the final
episodes had left off.”

If the production company has already broken set, released the actors from their contracts, etc., you are right. It would probably be a longshot at best. But this is potential good news for the next Firefly or SGU. There are enough examples of shows that started one place and then moved networks – the original Stargate show was one, but some jockeying between the old “big 3″ networks as well, for precedent.

The thing is that if this is going to work (which I would love), Netflix is going to have to become a real political force to reckon with, really fast. Because the cable companies/telcos selling both internet and teevee services are doing everything possible to throttle how much their users can download, which would pretty much be a death knell for Netflix as anything more than a kind of hobbled service.
Dave Balogh

bring us SGU season 3 and I’ll sign up in a heartbeat.
Anonymous

Save SGU!
Ady

Now, there is a chance to save SGU, join official website of the campaign: http://www.dgz.ro/stargate-universe , vote there, and by all means and social sites find on campaign page, share it, for a hope that we will see a 3rd season. Let’s save it togeter, all fans arround the world.
KaiserB

GO FOR IT!!! Bring back Stargate Universe and you will earn a fortune!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_5PW2OISBDCJXJOD45NDQNQLTHM rhianna

BRING BACK SGU!!(or sga..or moonlight…or heroes….or jeremiah…or any number of amazing shows that have biffed it): I think we all could name about 10 or more..if they can pull it off and make in publicly know..well I shure hope it works out!!=)
T Kaymichel

I’ve never before seen any point in subscribing to Netflix, but if they gave me back Stargate Universe or Firefly, I’d sign up IMEDIATELY. I only watch a few channels, but am forced to buy a premium package in order to get ONE of my favorite channels. I’m told I can’t have a la carte choices because networks with low subscriptions (which I have little or no interest in, such as religious or marketing networks) are supported this way, yet the shows I enjoy most are cancelled because my tastes don’t run toward mainstream shows which get higher ratings (such as the wrestling that led to the cancellation of my favorite program. SGU). If Netflix would give me more options & greater flexability, I’d cancel the satellite and go with Netflix instead!
Anonymous

This doesn’t help old canceled shows at all. The sets are already broken and the actors are no doubt doing new pilots. But if The Game is any indication then some shows that have been gone for up to 2 years can be revived if you time things right.

Mostly this will help dying or newly dead shows that production companies are still willing to shop around.
Erin

I applaud Netflix for thinking out of the box. They have a great company and provide a great service to its customers. I know that they can’t save every tv show, but I would urge them to take a look at shows such as Lie to Me, Flash Forward, and even tapping into the millions of loyal soap fans and seeing if there is a way they could save recently cancelled soaps All My Children and One Life to Live.
Anonymous

I think it’s brilliant. Netflix streaming has changed my ability to watch shows- I’ve either been asleep or working most evenings for the last 35 years! Now I can pick a show- for instance, Damages- and mainline it, all three seasons, and just enjoy the hell out of it. It’s fabulous.
http://www.facebook.com/kymberleigh70 Kymberleigh Mclaughlin

how about saving amc & oltl? i have been a netflix member for awhile now and would love to be able to continue watching my shows!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001695143235 Lucian LuLu

I want back SG U
John Perry II

I was an avid fan of Firefly, Dollhouse and SGU. All of them were canceled. Seems like all the best shows die. I really hope Netflix does this.