Summary
Netflix has found success in sports documentaries amid a shortage of new content, tapping into an unexpected source of entertainment value.
Sports docuseries, such as Formula 1: Drive to Survive, have consistently secured a spot in Netflix's top 10, delivering captivating content that doesn't depend on scripted narratives or actors. With ongoing strikes and delays in Hollywood, unscripted offerings, particularly in the realm of sports documentaries, present a sensible substitute for streaming platforms like Netflix.
As Hollywood's strikes continue, Netflix has found an unexpected solution to its problems. With a shortage of writers and actors available for new projects, streaming services are struggling to release fresh TV shows and movies. Even completed works have been delayed as studios and streamers plan for the future. Due to the studios' failure to negotiate with the WGA and SAG-AFTRA unions, the entertainment industry's current approach seems to be slowly releasing projects to viewers. However, this situation has led to some surprising discoveries in the world of entertainment.
Netflix may have stumbled upon a unique answer to the survival of streaming services with the sudden success of sports documentaries and docuseries. With a lack of new content, viewers are finding renewed interest in older films and TV shows. For instance, one of Netflix's recent popular movies, Fatale, gained attention because it was a remake of a classic 1987 thriller that hadn't been widely seen in 2020. Currently, sports documentaries dominate Netflix's top 10, highlighting the genre's entertainment value. These types of documentaries do not rely on scriptwriters or actors, making them a valuable asset for streaming services.
Netflix's Sports Documentaries Continue To Trend High While New Movies & TV Shows Slow Down
Netflix, the most popular streaming service with over 232 million subscribers worldwide, is implementing a new streaming strategy amidst a content shortage. As the dual writers' and actors' strikes continue indefinitely due to failed negotiations, the platform is exploring alternatives that do not involve scripting or acting. While streaming often brings older films and TV shows back to life, there is a strong demand for binge-worthy content that viewers haven't seen before. This is where sports docuseries come into play.
Netflix's sports docs, including the highly acclaimed Formula 1: Drive to Survive with five seasons, consistently rank in the platform's top 10 section. Sports docuseries, which offer a mix of narrative and excitement, have previously filled the void during the COVID-19 pandemic when live sports and scripted releases were halted. Series like ESPN's The Last Dance gained immense popularity. In the current climate of the entertainment industry, sports docs are once again proving to be a successful genre for Netflix.
Sports Documentaries May Be How Streaming Services Survive After Strikes
Streaming services like Netflix primarily generate revenue through subscription fees, ad revenue, and licensing deals, rather than making movies or TV series for theaters. However, the popularity of sports documentaries is disrupting this trend. Viewers inadvertently helped Netflix discover a source of content that doesn't require writers or actors. As more projects are postponed, streaming services will likely hold back previously planned releases to keep viewers engaged. Unscripted content, especially sports documentaries, has become a logical and successful content source for streamers. The ongoing success of sports docs, such as Untold: Hall Of Shame, which delves into Barry Bonds' steroids scandal, ensures that Netflix and its competitors will continue to capitalize on this emerging sector.
Source: USA Today
