The very company that created binge-watching culture now wants to put it to an end. Maybe not an end, but certain shows can really benefit from weekly releases.
Netflix has been known to release entire seasons of a show at once, giving viewers the option to watch the whole thing in one sitting.
The streaming giant is now moving in a different direction. Netflix has decided to release some series weekly, rather than all at once.
One of the first series to implement the new weekly schedule is The Great British Baking Show. As of now only one installment from the new collection is available to watch, with the program showing dates for upcoming episodes. Viewers can keep up with the reality competition as they would on regular cable.
Netflix’s new show Rhythm & Flow will also undergo the same process. Rhythm & Flow features T.I. Cardi B, and Chance the Rapper as judges, the rap competition will be released in groups every week. The first four episodes will drop on Oct. 9, then episodes 5-7 will air Oct. 16, and the season will wrap with episodes 8-10 on Oct. 23. The music competition series aims to search for the next breakout hip-hop star!
Netflix states that “weekly release of licensed titles (like Great British Baking Show) isn’t new and in hopes of keeping Rhythm & Flow‘s winner a surprise, we’re trying something new! But not happening with more shows than that.”
Netflix is taking its new scheduling strategy directly from Hulu. Throughout the years, Hulu has released the first three episodes of a series during the first week and then moving to a weekly release schedule.
Netflix is possibly hoping that adding weekly schedules can add more suspense to shows as well as curbing subscription loses as the streaming wars continue into 2020.
