For Netflix, Inc. (NFLX), Binge-Viewing Isn’t the Answer

I’m an Arrested Development fan. I really did love those first three seasons and have watched them more than once. So it would make sense that I should be excited for the new season just out on Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) . But honestly, I’ve been more skeptical than anything else.

To be a skeptic
I’ll chalk my skepticism up to any number of reasons. Seven years have passed since the series wrapped up, which is a long time. Part of the genius of the show from the beginning for me was the writing, and I just have a hard time coming to grips with the new season being anything more than simply an effort to get a few more episodes out. For me the hurdle was very high to begin with; sometimes it’s OK to just pull a Paul McCartney and let it be.

I’m not one to pay much attention to critics, but when I read in The New York Times, “If you truly loved (the first three seasons of ‘Arrested Development’), it’s hard to imagine being anything but disappointed with this new rendition,” I realized that I was thinking that before it ever even came out. Ay caramba indeed.

I’m sure I’ll end up checking it out at some point or another, but it’ll be awhile. I’m not even a Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) subscriber. Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) has nothing I want or need, so why subscribe to it? No, I haven’t seen House of Cards. I’ve been busy watching Time Warner Inc (NYSE:TWX)‘s HBO. But this all leads me to my greater point: Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) may want to seriously rethink their binge-viewing strategy, as it could most certainly come back to bite them.

Trouble in binge-ville?
Here’s the thing: Binge-viewing does work… for some shows. Older shows that have already been around the block are perfect for binge-viewing if that’s your thing. But if Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX)’s strategy is to develop more original content in order to differentiate themselves (and I agree with this move… they need to do something because they are becoming less and less special every day given the competition that’s growing out there), they are going to need to think about stretching out the lives of these things.