Netflix Viewers Are Abandoning Shows After One Season https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-07-05/netflix-viewers-are-abandoning-shows-after-one-season?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc4MzM0NDQ2MywiZXhwIjoxNzgzOTQ5MjYzLCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUSFEyRzFSS1YyVjAwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiI3MzA4MjI1Mzg2OEE0REE4QTZDQTcyN0I3REUyMzFEOCJ9.n29uUnqgWZD59hV1LVxkXuuFlcuFwU6IjSWILWa_GLM&utm_source=tldrnewsletter&leadSource=uverify wall "Netflix shows have historically delivered their biggest ratings in the first season. Unlike broadcast TV programs, which often peaked in the middle of their run thanks to word of mouth, Netflix shows have lost viewers over time. Yet the sharp drop in viewers is a major source of concern for the company, which has been studying its data to figure out why this is happening, according to people familiar with the matter. The service is ending The Night Agent after its next season. It renewed two comedies, Running Point and The Four Seasons, even though both shows surrendered more than 50% of their audience from season one."
First, real chicken and the egg scenario here, because Netflix has a reputation for canceling shows after one season. Second, when new seasons can be two, three, four years away, what do they expect? It's goldfish behavior, both natural and learned.
Yeah if there's not a follow-up season within a year, you'll for sure get a drop in engagement. Taylor Sheridan has learned this and essentially has a new season for every show he's responsible for, and has now some of the biggest hits in all of streaming, season after season.
The one thing that was nice about network TV was a show ending in May and coming back in September. It kept people engaged. It is hard to binge a show and wait 12-18 months for it to return.
The tradeoff is long seasons like that had a ton of filler and plain bad episodes. Not every show was like that, but I can understand the benefits of having shorter, tighter seasons. The crazy part though is you'd expect the seasons to take less time to produce, not more.
Netflix also puts in the bare minimum advertising any of their shows, especially shows that are returning as opposed to new There have been multiple occasions where I have genuinely really enjoyed the first season of a Netflix show but then had no idea that a second season had dropped until way later
i still need to watch was rewatching For All Mankind but kinda gave up also started watching Shoresy, just finished season 3
Apple TV cleaned up with noms today. Widow's, Shrinking, and Margo all got noms for Comedy. Pluribus, Your Friends and Neighbors, and Slow Horses all got Drama noms.
although, im watching season 2 and it's kinda dropped off haha. Got very repetitive and every show ever RAISES the stakes in season 2 and these seem....the same. They kind of rinse and repeat all the storylines. Norris JR and the Mexican girl relationship is the SAME conversation every time lol
I felt the same in the beginning and felt the season overall for better as it went on. It definitely ended leaving me excited for S3. But still, as far as Sheridan shows go it's nowhere near the top. That's easily Lioness and Mayor of Kingstown.
My wife and I decided to try Brooklyn 99 as our next half hour comedy. I was hesitant at first because ACAB, but it’s mostly workplace antics and the crime solving is rather goofy. I’m attached to the characters and their dynamics are super fun. Netflix has seasons 5-8, so we’re on Peacock for 1-4, since we don’t have ads on Netflix. We just started season two. Love it so far.