January 2020 #81 __________________________________________________________________________________________ _____ The 2020 Streaming Wars By Steve Sternberg It’s hard to believe that it was just seven years ago, in February 2013, that Netflix released the first streaming hit, House of Cards (Its first original series, Lilyhammer, debuted a year earlier). It was the first streaming series to receive major Emmy nominations (56 over its six-year run). Since then, Netflix has dropped a string of successful new series every year on its way to drawing about 160 million subscribers worldwide (roughly 67 million in the U.S.). Being first out of the gate with spending levels that rose from about $3 billion to $15 billion per year (projected to be $17 billion in 2020) helped give Netflix a lead in the streaming wars it may never relinquish. Some of Netflix’s more notable original series successes include, Orange is the New Black, BoJack Horseman (2014); The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Grace & Frankie, Narcos, Bloodline, Marvel’s Daredevil and Jessica Jones, Sense8, Master of None (2015); Fuller House, The Ranch, Stranger Things, Black Mirror, The Crown, The OA (2016); Dear White People, GLOW, Ozark, Mindhunter, 13 Reasons Why, Marvel’s The Punisher (2017); Altered Carbon, Lost in Space, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Narcos: Mexico (2018); The Umbrella Academy, Russian Doll, Dead to Me, When They See Us, The Politician, Unbelievable, and The Witcher (2019). A Sternberg Report Sponsored Message Advertise here to reach thousands of media and advertising decision makers. Contact
[email protected] The Sternberg Report ©2020 January 2020 #81 __________________________________________________________________________________________ _____ In addition to its high volume of original scripted series, Netflix plans to release around 90 original movies per year (it had 50 in 2017).