Marvel Studios may be planning more MCU for the small screen

[TemporalFlux]

Do I understand this right? Netflix just dumps the entire series of new episodes all at once?

If so, I'm really surprised that Netflix does not replicate the broadcast model of one new episode each week. Netflix is a subscription service based on a monthly payment; if they can string you along to stay subscribed to see the entire series, then that would potentially triple their profits on a 13 episode series. That's nothing to sneeze at.

 

[kirk55555]

TV may not last forever, but its not going anywhere anytime soon. Millions of people are still millions of people. Plus, there are probably millions of people with internet that still prefer/watch TV as well. TV will still be around long after everyone alive now is dead.

 

[Turtletrekker]

Do I understand this right? Netflix just dumps the entire series of new episodes all at once?

If so, I'm really surprised that Netflix does not replicate the broadcast model of one new episode each week. Netflix is a subscription service based on a monthly payment; if they can string you along to stay subscribed to see the entire series, then that would potentially triple their profits on a 13 episode series. That's nothing to sneeze at.

That's been their model up to this point, yes.

 

[Sto-Vo-Kory]

Do I understand this right? Netflix just dumps the entire series of new episodes all at once?

If so, I'm really surprised that Netflix does not replicate the broadcast model of one new episode each week. Netflix is a subscription service based on a monthly payment; if they can string you along to stay subscribed to see the entire series, then that would potentially triple their profits on a 13 episode series. That's nothing to sneeze at.

I think that same thought has occurred to Netflix and its shareholders as well. I wouldn't be surprised to see Netflix follow the method that Amazon Prime Video is implementing with its new political scripted series, where a few episodes are dumped initially (for people to get a sampling) and then go to weekly episode distribution thereafter.

Ironically, Amazon Prime membership is a yearly fee and a prolonged distribution model for their shows shouldn't increase their profits in a significant way -- whereas the Netflix subscription model would benefit highly from stringing viewers along for several months, as you pointed out.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Do I understand this right? Netflix just dumps the entire series of new episodes all at once?

If so, I'm really surprised that Netflix does not replicate the broadcast model of one new episode each week. Netflix is a subscription service based on a monthly payment; if they can string you along to stay subscribed to see the entire series, then that would potentially triple their profits on a 13 episode series. That's nothing to sneeze at.

Not to mention that you can usually get a free month's trial. You can conceivably watch the entire show during that period.

 

[Skywalker]

I really, really like this idea. Sounds like I'll be rejoining Netflix soon.

If they're going to use Daredevil, I think it'd also be cool if they did a Punisher series, and have the two of them crossover at some point with the Kingpin as their common enemy. All it needs is Spider-Man and it'd be perfect...

Honestly, sometimes I think commercial TV is deliberately trying to make itself so annoying that we'd prefer to watch DVDs and streams. It's not enough that they cut to ever-growing amounts of commercials every five minutes, but they have their "bug" graphics constantly on the screen, and lately they have these huge, distracting animated promos for other shows superimposed on top of the show you're trying to watch. Getting to watch shows uninterrupted and unadulterated on Netflix sounds like a great alternative.

Although the troubling thought occurs to me that if TV viewing migrates primarily to the Internet, then the advertisers will follow and we may still end up getting annoying ads superimposed somehow.

I think a few years ago TBS actually paused whatever program they were airing to show an interstitial ad for another program. I don't believe that lasted long at all (for good reason), but it just shows how insane networks have become with their advertising.

 

[Turtletrekker]

But what keeps someone from waiting until all of the episodes have dropped and THEN activating service for a month and dropping?

 

[sojourner]

But what keeps someone from waiting until all of the episodes have dropped and THEN activating service for a month and dropping?

Nothing?

 

[bigdaddy]

But what keeps someone from waiting until all of the episodes have dropped and THEN activating service for a month and dropping?

Nothing.

What is stopping Netflix from not offering a free month?

Nothing.

 

[dansigal]

Although the troubling thought occurs to me that if TV viewing migrates primarily to the Internet, then the advertisers will follow and we may still end up getting annoying ads superimposed somehow.

My guess, and this may already be happening, is we'll see different subscription levels, some with ads some without ads. So X a month to get a subscription to Netflix which includes commercial interruption of tv shows or pay X+5 a month to get a subscription where you can watch without commercial interruption.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

TV may not last forever, but its not going anywhere anytime soon. Millions of people are still millions of people. Plus, there are probably millions of people with internet that still prefer/watch TV as well. TV will still be around long after everyone alive now is dead.

TV and Internet are becoming rather interchangeable. When I watch Netflix it's not on my PC.

Yeah. There are pacing conventions we're used to for shows that DVDs and streaming can't replicate. Interestingly enough, people often find shows more entertaining with the pauses for commercials as well (the suspense between commercial breaks is a big reason why). However, that just makes things different, not necessarily worse. Plus, I think the four characters leading to a mini-series can serve as its own way of building suspense.

I'll take your word for this but I can't imagine it.

 

[Turtletrekker]

But what keeps someone from waiting until all of the episodes have dropped and THEN activating service for a month and dropping?

Nothing?

But what keeps someone from waiting until all of the episodes have dropped and THEN activating service for a month and dropping?

Nothing.

What is stopping Netflix from not offering a free month?

Nothing.

Exactly. And and that model has still worked very well for them so far it would seem. At this point, changing methods to a weekly release system just for the sake of forcing subscribers to hang onto a subscription that they could just drop now and pick up again and binge-watch later seems pointless.

 

[Pavonis]

People can binge watch network television if they want. Sometimes I'll sit on several weeks' worth of TV programs on my DVR before binge watching over a weekend. So binge watching on Netflix or binge watching on my DVR is the same thing. And if a customer prefers the weekly release format, they're free to simulate a weekly release by watching one episode a week. Either way, I don't see Netflix changing to a weekly-release format for their programming.

 

[cylkoth]

The question of people possibly signing up for the free 1 month trial to watch one of the originals then bailing, was/has been, an often asked question of Netflix boss Reed Hastings going all the way back to the Feb launch of House of Cards. According to Hastings, there has been little 'gaming' of the free trial for any of their new shows. Netflix has averaged 400,000 free trial users per quarter, and has added more paid subscribers each quarter every year. Of course, this Marvel package will be in a different category altogether than even their lone genre original thus far, the horror themed (and lower profile) Hemlock Grove.

They may want to reconsider the whole season drop by the time these shows are ready to roll. But then, since you can only get 1 free trial in a one year period (yes, some enterprising freeloaders have easily circumvented that restriction), it may not be worth the hassle if the shows are introduced in staggered windows throughout the year.

http://www.geekwire.com/2013/netflix-freeloaders-forgot-cancel-trials-binge-viewing-house-cards/

 

[TemporalFlux]

But what keeps someone from waiting until all of the episodes have dropped and THEN activating service for a month and dropping?

But that goes back to the water cooler argument. If your buddies are talking about the show, and you don't want spoilers ; are you going to put your fingers in your ears for 13 weeks? Will you like being the bearer of old news when your friends were already done talking about it when you finally showed up?

The above doesn't apply to everyone, but many people are influenced by the above thoughts. They would pay the monthly fee just to "keep up with the Jones's".

 

[Professor Zoom]

But what keeps someone from waiting until all of the episodes have dropped and THEN activating service for a month and dropping?

Nothing.

But the idea is you will discover the amount of content they have available and you will stay around.

It's a model that has done well for them.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

I'm just wondering if kirk knows TV doesn't cover 100% of all the major counties, not even the US. and in a great deal of them isn't free either. TV taxes or licences exist in Europe and Canada and Australia. You may be able to pick up commercial TV free in the USA but the signal doesn't cover everywhere, not even via satellite.

 

[theenglish]

Do I understand this right? Netflix just dumps the entire series of new episodes all at once?

If so, I'm really surprised that Netflix does not replicate the broadcast model of one new episode each week. Netflix is a subscription service based on a monthly payment; if they can string you along to stay subscribed to see the entire series, then that would potentially triple their profits on a 13 episode series. That's nothing to sneeze at.

I think that same thought has occurred to Netflix and its shareholders as well. I wouldn't be surprised to see Netflix follow the method that Amazon Prime Video is implementing with its new political scripted series, where a few episodes are dumped initially (for people to get a sampling) and then go to weekly episode distribution thereafter.

Ironically, Amazon Prime membership is a yearly fee and a prolonged distribution model for their shows shouldn't increase their profits in a significant way -- whereas the Netflix subscription model would benefit highly from stringing viewers along for several months, as you pointed out.

One of the main criticisms of the way Netflix releases its programming is that is doesn't allow for the serialized programming to build up a sense of suspense, nor does it promote the "cultural" conversation. Television series often leave people talking for days and increases interest in the show. (Both of these points were brought up earlier in this thread.)

I would guess that Netflix will begin to vary how it releases their original programming--I can also see them making some shows available for free as "teasers" for the service.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

But what keeps someone from waiting until all of the episodes have dropped and THEN activating service for a month and dropping?

Nothing, but that would require far more patience than most people have. People pay for a subscription to HBO when they could wait until the DVDs come out, sign up for a free month of Netflix, and watch their show that way.

I'll take your word for this but I can't imagine it.

Which? The study about commercials making programs more enjoyable? I suspect it has something to do with the five act structure. If a show didn't do that - with a commercial break hitting right as things got really exciting, there's no need. But, on the other hand, a build up to something exciting followed by a resolution three seconds later isn't as interesting. I've heard the argument that the cliffhangers in the traditional Doctor Who were more exciting with a week between them. Going straight to the next one makes them often seem kinda dumb.

Here is the study, fwiw.

 

[Seven of Five]

This is a brilliant move by Marvel. I've never really been a comic book person, but I've been heavily impressed with their movie output since Iron Man. Their hit ration is very strong, so you know you can usually bank on a good story.

I've found Netflix very good too. I watch more TV than I do movies, so the back catalogue they have for £6 a month is great value, considering what I used to spend on DVDs. And now of course they have critically acclaimed shows House of Cards and Orange Is The New Black, that they've commisioned themselves.

I also love them forever for bringing back Arrested Development. It may not have been of the same caliber as before it went away, but they tried something different.

Anyway, to sum up, Marvel + Netflix = me excited.