In recent years, Netflix has shifted its strategy from emulating HBO to partnering with WWE. However, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos regrets his previous statement about surpassing HBO's pace of growth.
Strategy of Netflix Shifting
Instead of only making shows for a small group of people, Netflix aims to have something for everyone. In an interview with The New York Times, Ted Sarandos said he regrets comparing Netflix to HBO and its smaller selection of content in the past.
Sarandos noted that Netflix aims to be like HBO, CBS, BBC, and other global networks, entertaining a wide range of audiences rather than just focusing on content similar to HBO. He highlighted that Netflix's focus on "prestige elite programming" represents a very small part of the industry and is no longer its primary objective.
He said that Netflix aims to provide a wide range of content to cater to diverse tastes. He noted that not every show on the platform will appeal to every viewer, but each show has its dedicated fanbase.
For instance, "Ginny & Georgia" fans strongly believe in the show's quality, reflecting the service's strategy to offer something for everyone. Netflix's programming strategy increasingly resembles that of a cable TV provider, featuring a diverse array of shows from "Young Sheldon" to "The 100," and soon, WWE's "Monday Night Raw."
Netflix remains vigilant of its competitors, including Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Comcast. Reflecting on the early days, Sarandos noted that studios initially underestimated Netflix, believing tech guys like them wouldn't figure out programming.
Netflix has proven otherwise. However, Sarandos acknowledged that it would be foolish to assume traditional entertainment companies won't eventually master the technological aspects of streaming.
Netflix has dramatically evolved in recent years, adopting practices it once rejected, such as incorporating advertising and charging for password sharing. As the streaming industry increasingly prioritizes revenue over subscriber growth, other streaming services might adopt similar strategies.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos regrets his previous statement about surpassing HBO's pace of growth. CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images
Previous Statement of Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos
In a 2013 interview featured in GQ, Ted Sarandos talked about his Netflix aspirations. He wanted to work on a series with Warren Beatty and praised Beatty's storytelling skills. Sarandos also mentioned his interest in collaborating with Jodie Foster, who directed an episode of "Orange Is the New Black."
Sarandos aims to outshine HBO by highlighting Netflix's strengths: a big audience, plenty of money, creative freedom without meddling executives, no need for pilot episodes, and a commitment to full seasons.
Sarandos envisioned Netflix as a platform that entices creators eager to push the boundaries of storytelling. With binge-watching eliminating the necessity for recaps and other narrative crutches, he sees no rigid commitment to standard episode durations.
Sarandos thinks Netflix can change how characters are portrayed and how viewers engage with them. He believes it could blur the line between TV shows and movies, making viewers feel more connected to the characters.
