Image from author. Top: a well loved movie is being removed of Netflix.
Netflix has had a reputation as one of the most popular streaming services for over fifteen years. They have many options of entertainment for their customers, expanding from different languages to various genres. However, due to the amount of new TV shows and movies they seem to be adding, they tend to remove a lot as well. Along with this, they seem to be canceling popular shows that have touched people’s hearts. Finally, they have steadily increased their price. Even with all of these issues, why do people keep on subscribing to Netflix, and what makes it difficult to walk away?
Netflix’s popularity has grown throughout the years. They are known for their many original shows like Stranger Things, Outer Banks, Bridgerton, and more. They have gained so much popularity that the app will sometimes even crash due to the amount of users. But, what about the shows that aren’t their original pieces? These pieces of entertainment follow a cycle of getting constantly added and removed. This is because of Netflix’s licensing agreements, where Netflix acquires rights to specific titles for a limited amount of time. Once this agreement expires, the show gets removed off of their platform. Typically before removal, Netflix puts out a thirty-day notice so viewers get an exact time on when to complete or start watching that specific show or movie.
However, many students at Washington tend to be disappointed when their favorite show gets removed. Parvathy Hari Krishnan, a junior at Washington High School, states that “One of the movies that I adored that got removed was Mean Girls. I think it used to be on Netflix, but when I went to search it up, it wasn’t there. This movie is such an iconic watch so I’m sad that it got removed.”
Some students may be disappointed, but the removal of some shows means the addition of others. It’s an equal balance that Netflix makes sure to keep when it comes to the quality of their shows and movies. Rewa Bathula, a senior at Washington High School, stated that “I’m also kind of happy that they keep adding new shows. Gossip Girl came back, and that’s very exciting.”
Along with adding and removing shows, Netflix also seems to cancel their ongoing ones, even if they have strong fanbases. This is because Netflix only wants to have a streak of successful entertainment. Hari Krishnan says, “I was watching Julie and the Phantoms which failed to get renewed for another season. It was really sad, because I thought the ending was very open and needed a better explanation.” Despite its abundant popularity, this specific show didn’t get renewed for a second season as it didn’t reach the older target demographic, leading to its cancellation.
Though it has its flaws, Netflix is still a great platform to enjoy your favorite shows and movies. Although the monthly fees may be a negative for newcomers, the platform has such an extensive library and high quality content that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.
Arya Khadilkar is a current junior at Washington High School and she has lived in Fremont her entire life. This is her first year working on The Hatchet and she is very excited to interview people and write about news around the school. She is one of the captains of Washington High School’s Bollywood dance team, Taal, and loves expressing her art through dance. When she’s not dancing, she enjoys reading, singing, and playing with her Siberian Husky. Arya isn’t too sure about her major yet, but she’s certain that she wants to go to college in the near future.